Which bin liner is perfect for your business?
There are a huge variety of bin liners available these days and it can be a little confusing when it comes to deciding which ones to go for. Although it might not sound that important, having the wrong bin bag for the job can leave you with a range of problems, from rubbish overflow to bad smells! Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing bin liner bags for your business.
SIZE
Not too small, not too big, your bag needs to be just right! Cross check your bin size with the dimensions of the bag. How many litres the bag and bin are helps you to match them but the dimensions are a better indicator. Make sure you allow at least 10cm extra height for overhang and ease of tying the bag off when emptying.
COLOUR
The colour of the bag can also play a part in your choice. If you have dark coloured bins, go for a black bag.
If you are environmentally conscious and you want to show it, select green EPI bags.
THICKNESS
A great way to gauge the quality of a bin liner and its suitability to your waste is to look at the thickness specification. Plastic thickness is measured in microns ‘um’. A heavy duty bag will come in at around 30 microns. Light duty will around 20 microns and extra heavy duty will be around 45 microns.
QUALITY
You can tick all the above boxes but if the quality of the bag is compromised, then you will have blow-outs! You also get the benefits of easy dispensing packs and rolls when you go with the quality option. It all boils down to the quality of the materials used as well as the manufacturing process. Don’t fall in to the price trap. The age old rule of ‘you get what you pay for’ definitely applies to garbage bags!
MATERIALS
LDPE: Low density polyethylene is the most commonly used bag in the market. It is ideal for mid to heavyweight applications in restaurants, clubs, hotels, hospitals and councils. They are stretchy which is helpful for fitting it to bins and tying off knots. LDPE also has the best puncture and split resistance. This is because the molecular structure of the film is such that it holds together better around a puncture allowing a user to get it out of the bin with less spillage than the HDPE might otherwise do.
HDPE: High density polyethylene is ideal for light to mid-weight general waste applications in washrooms and offices. The plastic is crinkly and has minimal stretch. Virgin grade HDPE can handle some serious weight! What it doesn’t cope with very well is sharp waste items. If a HDPE bag is punctured, split or compromised it will tend to tear in a straight line up or down the bag.
EPI Environmental Products Inc plastic is totally degradable plastic. It is available in LDPE and HDPE. Whilst they are not known for being heavy duty, they are environmentally friendly.
All Purpose: This is a blend of plastics built for price. The material gives you a combination of the benefits of LDPE and HDPE, however, it all depends on the quality of the plastics and manufacturing process. They are good for light to medium weight applications and are suitable for a broad range of general waste applications.
