sales@imperialpolythene.co.uk01753 686 336

Imperial Polythene: Your Questions Answered in 2025

At Imperial Polythene, we're all about clarity and transparency – just like the high-quality films we produce! We often get asked a lot of great questions about what we do, how we do it, and why we're still going strong after all these years.

So, we thought it was time to answer some of your most frequently asked questions. Let's dive in!

Imperial Polythene FAQ

How long has Imperial Polythene been going?

Imperial Polythene Products was established in 1994 by co-founders Sam and Frank. This means we've been serving our customers with high-quality, British-made polythene products for over 30 years! We're proud to have built a legacy as one of the last remaining polythene bag manufacturers in the UK.

Various polythene products manufactured by Imperial Polythene

What kind of products does Imperial Polythene specialise in?

We specialise in the manufacture of a comprehensive range of polythene bags, liners, tubing, and sheeting. Our expertise lies in producing both standard stock items and fully bespoke solutions tailored to the unique needs of various industries. From heavy-duty sacks to precise sheeting, we cover a wide array of polythene applications.

Polythene Roll image

Where are Imperial Polythene products manufactured, and what quality standards do you adhere to?

All Imperial Polythene products are proudly manufactured at our state-of-the-art facility near Heathrow Airport in the UK. Our commitment to local production allows us to maintain complete and rigorous quality control over every stage of the manufacturing process. We adhere to strict internal quality standards and processes, ensuring that all our products meet the highest levels of durability, performance, and consistency for our customers. This direct oversight is a key differentiator that ensures reliability.

Blue Polythene Rolls

What specific types of polythene bags do you offer for different industries, such as food or clinical waste?

We offer a wide range of specialised polythene bags designed to meet the stringent requirements of various industries:

  • Food-Grade Polythene Bags: Manufactured to comply with food safety regulations, ensuring materials are safe for direct contact with food products, suitable for packaging, storage, and handling in the food industry.
  • Clinical Waste Sacks: Designed and manufactured to meet specific industry standards for the safe containment and disposal of clinical, offensive, and hazardous waste. These are often colour-coded and robust to prevent leaks and ensure compliance with healthcare waste management protocols.
  • Heavy-Duty Industrial Sacks: Extremely durable bags engineered for demanding industrial environments, capable of holding heavy or abrasive materials, construction waste, and general industrial refuse.
  • Retail and Merchandise Bags: Customisable bags for packaging products in retail settings, often featuring branding and various handle options.
  • Compactor Sacks: Extra strong and large sacks designed to withstand the pressures of waste compactors in commercial and industrial settings.
  • Recycling Sacks: Transparent or colour-coded bags to facilitate efficient segregation and collection of different recyclable materials.

Our team can help you select the precise bag type, material, and specifications to ensure compliance and optimal performance for your specific application.

Carbon Footprint

What are Imperial Polythene's sustainable packaging options, and how do they benefit my business and the environment?

Sustainability is at the core of our innovation. Our sustainable packaging options include:

  • Recycled Content Polythene: Incorporating post-consumer or post-industrial waste reduces reliance on virgin plastics and supports a circular economy.
  • Recyclable Polythene: Our standard polythene products are fully recyclable where facilities exist, allowing them to be reprocessed and reused.
  • Biodegradable & Compostable Polythene: Designed to break down naturally under specific conditions, offering end-of-life solutions for certain applications.

These options help your business by improving your environmental credentials, appealing to eco-conscious consumers, and potentially meeting regulatory requirements. For the environment, they contribute to waste reduction, lower carbon footprints, and less reliance on finite resources.

Phone Image

How do I request a quote or place an order with Imperial Polythene?

Requesting a quote or placing an order with us is straightforward. You can:

  • Call us directly: Our sales team is available to discuss your requirements and provide immediate assistance.
  • Email us: Send your specifications or inquiries to our dedicated sales email, and we'll get back to you promptly.
  • Use our website contact form: Fill out the form on our 'Contact Us' page with your details and product needs.

For bespoke orders, providing as much detail as possible (dimensions, thickness, quantity, intended use) will help us provide the most accurate quote.

Polythene Box Liner

Do you offer custom-sized or custom-printed polythene products, and what are the typical minimum order quantities (MOQs)?

Yes, we absolutely specialise in custom-sized and custom-printed polythene products. Whether you need specific dimensions for a unique application or want to brand your packaging with your company logo and information, we can accommodate your needs.

Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs) for custom products vary depending on the complexity of the customisation, material type, and size. We recommend discussing your specific requirements with our sales team, who can provide you with detailed MOQ information tailored to your bespoke order. We strive to be flexible and work with businesses of all sizes where possible.

Customer Service

Do you offer technical support or guidance on product specifications and compliance?

Yes, we pride ourselves on offering comprehensive technical support and guidance. Our experienced team can assist you with:

  • Product Specifications: Helping you choose the right material, thickness, and dimensions for your specific application.
  • Compliance: Advising on relevant industry standards, regulations (e.g., food contact, hazardous waste), and environmental guidelines that apply to your polythene products.
  • Performance Advice: Offering insights into the best use and handling of our products to maximise their performance and longevity.

We're here to ensure you select the most suitable and compliant polythene solution for your business.

Sustainability Image

What is your policy on returns or exchanges, and how do you handle product issues?

At Imperial Polythene, customer satisfaction is our priority. We stand by the quality of our British-made products. If you encounter any issues with an order or product, please contact us immediately. We will investigate the matter promptly and work with you to find a satisfactory resolution, whether that involves a return, exchange, or other appropriate action. Our goal is to ensure you are completely happy with your Imperial Polythene experience.

Digital interface showing waste data and regulatory compliance

How is Imperial Polythene addressing evolving digital waste tracking legislation and reporting requirements?

The landscape of waste management legislation is constantly evolving, with a growing emphasis on digital tracking and enhanced reporting for greater transparency and accountability. Imperial Polythene is at the forefront of this shift, particularly through our Trackersack system.

Trackersack is specifically designed to help businesses not only meet but exceed these emerging legislative demands. By providing accurate, bag-level data and robust digital reporting capabilities, it simplifies compliance with increasingly stringent regulations. This proactive approach allows our clients to:

  • Ensure their waste data is accurate and auditable for regulatory bodies.
  • Streamline the reporting process, reducing administrative burden.
  • Demonstrate commitment to responsible waste management and sustainability, aligning with ESG objectives.
  • Stay ahead of future legislative changes by having a flexible and comprehensive tracking system in place.

With Trackersack, you're not just tracking waste; you're future-proofing your waste management strategy against evolving digital requirements.

Trackersack logo

What is Trackersack, and how does it help with waste management?

Trackersack is our market-leading digital waste tracking system, designed to empower businesses to take full control of their waste management. It provides real-time insights into waste generation by combining smart technology with simple, scalable tools. Here's how it helps:

  • Bag-Level Waste Insights: Get precise data on every bag of waste, including type, weight, and collection time, offering complete visibility.
  • Identify Sources & Drive Accountability: Pinpoint exactly where waste is generated within your business, allowing you to engage, educate, and reduce waste at the source.
  • Track & Tackle Contamination: Instantly identify contamination in recycling streams and trace it back to the exact location or time it occurred, ensuring clear accountability.
  • Support ESG & Sustainability Goals: Trackersack helps organisations meet their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets by converting waste data into actionable strategies for change.
  • Fair Waste Recharging: Accurately allocate waste costs by charging departments or tenants based on their actual waste output, ensuring transparent billing.
  • No More Guesswork: Say goodbye to estimates. Trackersack provides accurate, bag-level weight data for true clarity on waste production.

Trackersack offers solutions for Commercial Waste, Clinical Waste, and even Household Waste, and its platform is fully adaptable to your specific operational and reporting needs, regardless of complexity or the number of waste streams. What sets it apart is that it's an all-under-one-roof solution, encompassing our UK-made pre-barcoded sacks, integrated technology, and over 30 years of waste industry expertise. Learn more about Trackersack here.

Gardening

Get your polythene products from Imperial

Get in touch today to discover how we can help, or request a sample to see how we work.