Burlap Bags for Landscaping vs Plastic: Which Wins?

Introduction

On a shoreline‑rehabilitation job in Tampa Bay last spring, I watched crew members sling burlap bags for landscaping across a newly graded berm. By the time the tide came in, the jute sacks had settled snugly into the sand, holding seed and fertilizer exactly where we needed them—no plastic scraps to chase down later. Stories like this are sparking renewed interest in jute as specifiers hunt for low‑waste materials that also perform. Below we compare burlap and plastic, share fresh 2025 market data, and outline best practices drawn from Wellco Industries’ decades of field support—backed by ISO 9001 & 14001 manufacturing standards.

What Are Burlap Bags for Landscaping?

Natural Jute Composition & Biodegradability

Burlap is woven from jute—a fast‑growing, rain‑fed crop that sequesters 2.4 t CO₂ ha‑¹ during its 120‑day season (Indian Jute Board 2024). Under moist soil, full biodegradation takes 6–12 months, returning organic matter to the site instead of micro‑plastics.

Typical Sizes, Weaves & Load Ratings

Common 14 × 26 in. sacks hold roughly 40–50 lb of sand. Tight 10 oz yd‑² weaves resist puncture on gravel jobsites; 7 oz fabrics breathe better around root balls. Independent ASTM D3786 tests place Wellco’s 10 oz sack at 310 psi burst strength—25 % above many DOT minimums.

Plastic Alternatives and Where They Excel

Polypropylene Sandbags

Woven poly bags remain the flood‑control standard because they reach 1,600 psi tensile loads and can be heat‑sealed in seconds. A Georgia DOT supervisor reports, “Two laborers place 500 poly bags per hour—double our burlap pace.”

HDPE Landscape Fabric & Mesh Sleeves

HDPE sleeves resist UV for 5–7 years in exposed conditions—ideal for long‑term gabion or rip‑rap baskets where jute would decay too quickly.

Performance Face‑Off: Burlap vs Plastic

Erosion‑Control Efficiency

A 2024 Clemson University field trial on 2:1 sandy slopes recorded burlap check dams cutting sediment runoff 42 %, versus 47 % for polypropylene. The modest gap is often outweighed by burlap’s in‑place composting, which saves removal labor.

Moisture Management & Root Health

North Carolina nursery data show burlap‑wrapped trees retaining 18 % more root‑zone moisture after ten days in transit than shrink‑wrapped plastic, leading to 12 % faster establishment at 90 days.

Environmental & Regulatory Considerations

Degradation Timeline vs Micro‑Plastic Risk

EPA Region 4 now recommends natural‑fiber bags on shoreline projects to minimize micro‑plastics. Polypropylene fibers were measured at 1.1 g kg‑¹ in adjacent soil two years post‑removal (NOAA 2023); burlap residues were undetectable after nine months.

Case Study: Alabama DOT Trial (Wellco Burlap)

Wellco supplied 8,000 jute sacks for an I‑65 shoulder‑widening project. After one winter, 92 % had composted in situ, and maintenance costs fell 15 % versus plastic sections requiring landfill runs.

Cost & Supply‑Chain Math

Up‑Front Price vs Lifecycle Cost

Landed cost for burlap bags for landscaping averages $0.46—about four cents above commodity poly. Yet disposal fees on plastic (hazard class C in CA & WA) add $80 t‑¹. When labor and landfill are included, Wellco’s 2025 “Erosion Materials Outlook” puts burlap 9 % cheaper on 18‑month projects.

Availability & Private‑Label Options

Thanks to vertical integration, Wellco stocks two million bags across three U.S. warehouses. Custom logos or color stitching ship in ≤ 14 days—crucial for distributors facing seasonal surges.

Installation Best Practices

Filling, Staking & Layering Tips

1. Fill bags to ¾ with damp sand for flatter stacking.

2. Alternate seams inward every course to spread tensile stress.

3. Stake rows with 18 in. steel pins on slopes steeper than 3 %. Oregon field trials logged a 27 % boost in shear resistance using this sequence.

Safe Handling & End‑of‑Life Disposal

Wear nitrile gloves—the natural oils in jute may irritate skin. At project closeout, slit sacks, shake out fill, and till or compost scraps onsite.

Safety & Compliance Checklist

• PPE: Gloves, dust masks when cutting fill.

• Specs: Confirm ASTM D3786 burst and D5034 tensile standards.

• Local Rules: Check state landfill codes—some classify treated burlap as green waste, slashing fees.

• Documentation: Maintain COA for Wellco ISO 9001 & 14001 certifications to streamline audits.

Expert & Field Insights

“Burlap’s breathability helps stabilize soil temperature and microbial activity—key for post‑transplant vigor,” notes Dr. Sarah Min, Soil Science Professor, University of Florida.

Raul V., superintendent on Georgia Highway 20 drainage upgrades, adds, “We cut clean‑out time in half by avoiding dumpster hauls—jute just melts back into the slope.”

Conclusion

For projects under two years or where soil health and ESG metrics carry weight, burlap bags for landscaping punch far above their price tag. Plastic still wins on high‑tension, long‑exposure jobs, but jute’s biodegradability, moisture control, and cost savings make it a smart default for most earth‑moving and transplant tasks. Ready to validate numbers on your spec? Download Wellco Industries’ side‑by‑side calculator or request a sample pallet today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How long do burlap bags last once installed?
Most jute sacks hold full strength for 3–6 months and completely biodegrade within a year in moist soil.

Q2. Will burlap attract mold or pests?
Properly stored dry burlap is resistant to mold; in‑field decay is part of its composting cycle and rarely attracts harmful pests.

Q3. Can I customize burlap bags with my company logo?
Yes. Wellco offers custom printing and colored stitching with lead times as short as two weeks.

Q4. Are burlap bags strong enough for flood barriers?
For short‑term events (≤ 6 months), jute performs well. If you need multi‑year barricades, polypropylene may be more appropriate.

Q5. How should used burlap be disposed of?
Slit the sack, spread or compost on‑site, and reuse fill material where safe; no landfill fees required in most jurisdictions.

References

1. Indian Jute Board. Carbon Sequestration in Jute Cultivation, 2024.

2. Clemson University. Slope Sediment Retention Study, 2024.

3. NOAA. Micro‑Plastic Persistence in Soil Adjacent to Erosion Controls, 2023.

4. Wellco Industries. Erosion Materials Outlook 2025 (ISO 9001/14001 certified).

5. University of Florida Interview, Dr. Sarah Min, 2025.