Cloth bags are thicker than plastic bags, which makes them strong enough to be used again and again. According to the Sierra Club website, hemp or cotton bags can last for hundreds of uses. Some types of cloth bags have a stiff cardboard insert in the base that adds additional stability. In general, cloth bags are larger than plastic bags, so they are capable of holding larger items. Plastic grocery store bags can also be reused; however, punctures or overloading can render a thin plastic bag unusable. Cloth bags are also more durable than paper bags, which lose integrity if they become wet.