What Are the BAG Basics?

There are many different terms used when describing can liners. How can WAXIE help you pick the right bag for your receptacle?

Can Liner Bottom Seals

Star Seals are the most preferable type of liner because they have the strongest seal. However, it is not possible to have a Star Seal with the thickest gauge of liner, so a Flat Seal is used. Gusset Seals are generally used for food service type bags and not for receptacles.

Star Seals

• Most common type of seal
• Designed without gussets
• Conforms to the shape of the container
• Distributes weight evenly
• Maximizes carrying capacity

Gusset Seals

• Flat-style bag design
• Both sides tucked in to form gussets
• Sealed through four layers of film (the middle of the bag has
  only two sealed layers)

Flat Seals

• Two-dimensional bag (much like a pillow case)
• Strong, but has the potential to leak wet trash from the corners
• Does not conform as well to the shape of can

Gauge Recommendations

Film thickness is not the only standard for judging bag strength. Advanced polymer blend formulations and unique additives produce thinner, lighter trash bags that are stronger than thicker bags made from inferior polymer blends. Below are basic gauge recommendations.

Mil (One thousandth of an inch) Term used in the measurement of LDPE and LLDPE can liners. One mil is .001 inch. Can liners range between .35 to 4.0 mil.

Mic Term used in the measurement of HMW-HD can liners. 25.4 microns equals .001 inch. 1,000 microns (M) = 1mm. HMW-HDPE can liners are 6 to 24 microns.

Density Types

LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene): Linear Low Density Bags are used for rough or sharp objects under tough transport conditions. These bags are very strong and are more resistant to tearing, but handle lower load capacities than HDPE bags. Best used for:

• Plastic eating utensils, food with rough edges
• Sticks, rough yard trimmings, or glass
• Metal w/sharp edges

HDPE (High Density Polyethylene): High Density Bags are used for paper and non-rough objects under moderate transport conditions. These bags are very strong and handle higher load capacities than LLDPE bags, but tear easier once punctured. Best used for:

• Cans without sharp edges, food without sharp edges
• Grass, rags, smooth heavy objects
• Paper-plates, cups, towels, office

Packages

Individually Folded: Can liners are separately folded, then stacked on top of one another. This allows the end-user to pull liners out of the box with much more ease vs. bulk-folded bags.

Cored Rolls: Can liners are rolled together on cardboard cylinders (looks similar to a roll of paper towels). Can liners come inside a special box that dispenses with ease.

Coreless Rolls: Can liners are rolled together without an internal core. This allows for thinner rolls and prevents excess waste. Rolls are perforated or are interleaved.