• 2 Ply Paper Sacks
• Bin Liners
• Coloured Refuse Sacks
• Compactor Sacks
• H.T. Sacks
• Refuse Sacks
• Refuse-On-Roll
• Rubble Sacks
• Wheelie Bin Liners
• Woven Polypropylene Sacks

 

Bags / Sacks

Bags / Sacks

Bags and sacks are everyday essentials for collecting, containing, transporting, and disposing of waste and materials across workplaces, hospitality, facilities management, construction, and light industrial settings. Within this category you’ll find options designed for everything from small indoor bins to large wheelie bins, compactors, and heavy, abrasive loads such as rubble. Choosing the right bag is mainly about matching the bag type, size, and strength to the waste stream and handling method, so you reduce split bags, leaks, and unnecessary plastic use.

This page groups together several common bag and sack families, each suited to different tasks: paper sacks for dry goods, bin liners for indoor bins, refuse sacks for general waste, wheelie bin liners for larger containers, compactor sacks for high-load compaction, rubble sacks for building waste, and woven polypropylene sacks for tough transport and storage applications.

Bags / Sacks — Helpful Guide

Below is a practical guide to the main types in this category, what they’re typically used for, and how to decide between them. Where relevant, plastic film thickness is commonly described in microns (µm) or “gauge”. A widely used rule of thumb is that 100 gauge is approximately 25 microns, so gauge is roughly microns multiplied by 4. Thickness is only one part of performance; material type, seal quality, and bag dimensions also matter.

2 Ply Paper Sacks

• 2 Ply Paper Sacks – Paper sacks made with two layers (plies) of paper, commonly selected for dry products where breathability and a paper-based pack format are preferred. Paper sacks are usually specified by ply count, paper weight (gsm), and dimensions rather than micron thickness.

Typical uses include dry powders and granules, ingredients, and other dry goods where a paper sack format is suitable. If moisture exposure is likely, consider whether a wet-strength paper or an inner liner is required for your process.

Bin Liners

• Bin Liners – Liners sized for indoor bins and light commercial waste. Often chosen for offices, washrooms, kitchens, and front-of-house areas where tidy presentation and easy removal matter.

Bin liners are typically selected by bin size (litres), bag dimensions (width x length), and duty level. Lighter liners suit low-weight waste such as paper towels, while heavier liners help with wet waste and sharper edges.

Refuse Sacks

• Refuse Sacks – General-purpose sacks for mixed waste streams. These are usually thicker and stronger than standard bin liners and are commonly used in back-of-house, janitorial, and general waste collection.
• Coloured Refuse Sacks – Refuse sacks in different colours to support waste segregation and clearer handling routines (for example, separating recyclables, general waste, or specific waste types by colour).
• Refuse-On-Roll – Refuse sacks supplied on a roll for convenient dispensing, stock control, and faster changeovers in busy areas.

Refuse sacks are often chosen by duty level (standard, heavy duty, extra heavy duty), thickness, and bag size. If bags are splitting, it’s usually due to sharp contents, overfilling, or a mismatch between bag dimensions and the bin frame.

Wheelie Bin Liners

• Wheelie Bin Liners – Large liners designed to fit common wheelie bin sizes. They help keep bins cleaner, reduce odours, and make emptying and cleaning easier.

Wheelie bin liners are typically selected by bin capacity (e.g., 120L, 240L and larger), bag dimensions, and thickness. For heavier or wetter waste, a higher-duty liner can reduce leaks and tearing during removal.

Compactor Sacks

• Compactor Sacks – Heavy-duty sacks designed for use with compactors or high-load waste handling. These sacks need strong seals and good puncture resistance to cope with compaction forces.

For compactors, thickness alone doesn’t guarantee performance. Consider the waste type (wet, abrasive, sharp), compaction ratio, and how the bag is fitted and removed. A bag that is too small for the compactor chamber can be overstressed at the seams.

Rubble Sacks

• Rubble Sacks – Sacks intended for heavy, abrasive building and renovation waste such as rubble, plaster, and offcuts. These are chosen for toughness and handling strength.

Rubble sacks are often used for transport and containment rather than lining a bin. Because loads can be dense and sharp, avoid overfilling and consider double-bagging only when necessary; selecting the correct duty level is usually more effective.

Woven Polypropylene Sacks

• Woven Polypropylene Sacks – Woven sacks made from polypropylene tapes. They are commonly specified by fabric weight (gsm), weave, and construction rather than micron thickness, and are valued for durability and handling strength.

Woven polypropylene sacks are widely used for storage and transport of dry materials. Depending on the application, you may need laminated/coated options for improved moisture resistance, or specific closures (tie, stitch, or heat seal) to suit your filling process.

Case Study: Reducing Split Bags and Clean-up Time in a Busy Site

A facilities team managing mixed waste across a busy site noticed frequent bag splits during removal, leading to extra clean-up and occasional bin contamination. The root causes were inconsistent bag sizing (bags too short for the bin frame), overfilling, and using light-duty liners for heavier mixed waste. By standardising bag dimensions to match each bin type, introducing a clearer segregation routine using coloured sacks, and switching high-traffic areas to heavier-duty refuse sacks, the team reduced split incidents and improved changeover speed. The biggest gains came from matching bag size and duty to the actual waste stream rather than relying on a single “one size fits all” liner.

How to Choose the Correct Bag or Sack

1) Start with the container and the handling method

Measure the bin or container and confirm how the bag will be used: as a liner (inside a bin), as a free-standing sack, or in a compactor. For liners, bag width should accommodate the bin circumference with enough slack to fold over the rim. Bag length should allow for overhang and secure tying without stretching the film.

2) Match the bag type to the waste stream

• Light, dry waste (paper towels, packaging): bin liners are often sufficient.
• Mixed general waste: refuse sacks typically provide better puncture resistance and seal strength.
• Wet or messy waste: consider higher-duty liners/sacks and ensure the bag is not overstretched on the bin.
• Sharp or abrasive waste: heavier-duty refuse sacks, rubble sacks, or woven polypropylene sacks may be more suitable depending on the application.
• Compacted waste: use compactor sacks designed for compaction forces and removal handling.

3) Understand thickness and what it does (and doesn’t) tell you

For plastic liners and sacks, thickness is commonly stated in microns (µm) or gauge. A practical conversion used in many specifications is 100 gauge ≈ 25 microns (so 200 gauge ≈ 50 microns). Thicker film can improve puncture resistance and reduce tearing, but performance also depends on polymer blend, manufacturing quality, and seal integrity.

4) Consider capacity and weight, not just litres

Bin capacity in litres is a useful starting point, but waste density varies widely. Food waste, wet waste, and rubble are far heavier than dry packaging. If bags are failing, it may be due to weight rather than volume. In those cases, choose a stronger sack type or reduce fill level to keep loads manageable and safer to lift.

5) Plan for segregation and compliance

Coloured refuse sacks can support clearer segregation routines and reduce cross-contamination. Establish a simple internal standard (which colour is used for which waste stream) and train staff to avoid mixing waste types that increase puncture risk or create leaks.

Common Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

• Using a bag that’s too small: overstretching increases tearing at the rim and seams. Choose dimensions that fit the bin properly.
• Overfilling: even heavy-duty sacks can fail when overfilled, especially with sharp edges. Leave enough space to tie securely.
• Ignoring sharp contents: broken glass, metal offcuts, and sharp packaging corners can puncture film. Use a higher-duty sack or a more suitable sack type for abrasive waste.
• Assuming thickness is everything: seal strength and material quality matter. If failures occur at the seam, consider a different duty level or sack construction.
• Not standardising across sites: inconsistent bag sizes lead to waste and confusion. Standardise by bin type and location.

Storage and Handling Tips

• Store bags in a clean, dry area away from direct sunlight and heat sources to help maintain material performance.
• Use dispensing where possible (for example, refuse-on-roll) to reduce contamination and speed up changeovers.
• Train staff on correct fitting so liners aren’t overstretched and are folded over the rim consistently.
• Lift safely by keeping loads manageable; heavy sacks should be moved using appropriate handling methods where required.

Frequently Asked Questions