Do Mylar bags contain Aluminum?

Last Updated on July 13th, 2023

We may earn commissions for purchases made through links on our site. Learn more on our about us page.

There is a secret to the Mylar bag. When it comes to reflective capabilities, there is going to be a bolstering of the packaging when it comes to including an aluminum layer in the mix.

This layer will be placed in various places. Most non-graphic Mylar bags are aluminum colored.

When you picture the thin aluminum layer, imagine the emergency blankets used in the military and on extremely cold outdoor expeditions.

The basic design for the Mylar bag is built with the outer layer being the BoPET film, then comes the aluminum layer, followed by a layer of polyethylene plastic.

Is there any Metal in Mylar Bags?

Yes, there is going to be a layer of aluminum foil-like material that’s primary purpose is to redirect UV rays and deflect the sun’s light and radiation accompanying. Aluminum is a thin metal composed of zinc, copper, iron, manganese, and silicon molecules.

Otherwise, the Mylar bags are made of two different plastic-like chemicals that sandwich this foil layer to create what is seen on shelves today.

That being said, some Mylar products will have customizable pouches that can come with an additional outside layer. For example, sometimes customers want a metallic look on the outside.

What are Mylar Bags Made of?

As mentioned in the passages above, the Mylar bag is basically three layers that combine to create the super storage utility packaging.

The innermost layer is a food-friendly polypropylene, then the thin aluminum foil layer, to be sealed in with the transparent Mylar (BoPET) film.

There are, however, more variations to this basic format of Mylar bag, which has led to it being one of the most customizable items in human history.

Most of that creative element takes place on the outside, which will carry decals and paints to distinguish products from one another; others will have resealable zip-lock materials in addition to the basic packaging.

What Chemicals are in Mylar?

The official composition of Mylar is (PET) Polyethylene Terephthalate. This will be the outermost layer in most packaging styles, and the official (BoPET) mixture will be Biaxially-oriented.

Otherwise, most reproductions of these pouches will have an aluminum metallic element, to be completed with another polyethylene layer.

Another commonly used chemical compound would be that of Dimethyl terephthalate, which is produced from methanol and para-xylene.

Is Mylar Carcinogenic?

For those that are not privy, Carcinogenic refers to having the potential for causing cancer, to which Mylar has been determined as food-safe by FDA and European FSA agencies.

These groups of scientists test these sorts of products for any breakages or possible harmful effects from the packaging, which in this case came out in favor of the Mylar bag.

There were extensive tests done on the packaging when the contents were food products. They concluded that no matter what the Mylar bags were subjected to (besides magma), they would not poison anyone carrying food in them.

Is Mylar Eco-Friendly?

For all the things that make Mylar great comes the side effect that comes with creating the microplastics needed in the packaging.

Unfortunately, these bags are not biodegradable and are not exactly eco-friendly to manufacture concerning what is needed to produce the plastics.

Otherwise, if you can look at it this way, these bags will not run, poison the environment, and can be buried without worrying about the packaging decomposing immediately.

Furthermore, once created, these packages are nearly impossible to destroy and will last forever, meaning that fewer pouches end up in landfill because of the recycling capability of the products.

Final Thoughts on Do Mylar bags Contain Aluminum

This product is a very solid solution for longevity and durability, but the issue will be in manufacturing the plastics needed to make Mylar.

There is going to be a period of invention and scientific testing to find a similar product as Mylar, with a lesser impact on the planet on which we live.

Remember, when you order these pouches and Mylar bags, recycle them as often as possible to maximize the use of the finite resources required to make them.

NASA and private industry Rocket companies are working on innovative solutions that will shield astronauts while using materials that are less detrimental to the environment to make them.