Why are so many bin bags made from recycled materials?

When it comes to bin liners, using recycled materials can be a particularly logical solution. This is because the product’s main function is generally the storage, collection and transport of waste.

When it comes to a bin bag, in most cases the most important thing is not that it is completely transparent, has a premium look, or is made from high-quality raw materials. What is far more important is that:

• has sufficient load-bearing capacity,
• do not let it come loose whilst in use,
• can handle the expected type of waste,
• fit the size of the bin,
• be manufactured using appropriate welding techniques,
• be user-friendly,
• it should also offer good value for money.

For this reason, a significant proportion of bin liners can be manufactured from recycled LDPE raw material, provided that the quality of the regranulate and the production settings are suitable for the intended use.

What does a bin bag made from regranulate mean?

Regranulate is a recycled plastic raw material that was previously generated as waste, a manufacturing by-product or a used plastic product, and which, following processing, has been transformed back into a raw material.

Examples of regranulate used in the manufacture of bin liners include:

• PCR raw material, i.e. raw material made from plastic recovered after consumer use,
• PIR raw material, i.e. recycled raw material made from industrial by-products,
• a blend of various recycled LDPE material streams,
• a combination of virgin and recycled raw materials.

The choice of the right raw material always depends on the type of bag we wish to manufacture: household, office, industrial or heavier-duty products intended for waste collection companies.

Household, office and industrial bin liners: the expectations are not the same

It is worth sorting bin bags according to their intended use, as the factors to consider may be completely different.

Household bin liners

When it comes to household bin liners, it is generally important that:

• ease of use,
• the right size,
• tear resistance,
• the acceptable odour profile,
• good value for money,
• the practical packaging.

For these products, recycled LDPE raw material may often be suitable, but care must be taken to ensure that the bag does not have an unpleasant odour and does not tear easily during everyday use.

Rubbish bags for offices and organisations

When it comes to bin liners used in offices, institutions or communal areas, odour can be a particularly important consideration.

A slight odour from the raw materials may be acceptable in a bag intended for industrial use, but it can be a nuisance in an office or customer area if the bag gives off an unpleasant smell.

In such cases, it may be important to:

• the purer regranulate,
• the higher-quality PCR or PIR raw material,
• the correct blending of ingredients,
• an odour-reducing additive, if necessary,
• prototyping and testing.

The aim is for the bin bag to be made from recycled materials, whilst ensuring that it does not cause any inconvenience to users when used indoors.

Industrial bin liners and waste collection bags

In industrial settings, the focus is generally on the load-bearing capacity, tear resistance and functionality of bin liners.

Examples of bags that can be used include:

• in manufacturing plants,
• in warehouses,
• at logistics centres,
• at waste collection companies,
• in the management of industrial waste,
• when collecting large quantities of packaging waste.

For these bags, mechanical strength is often more important than visual appearance or complete odour neutrality. Therefore, recycled LDPE raw material can often be a good and cost-effective choice.

What factors should we consider when choosing a bin bag?

Before ordering bin bags, it is worth determining exactly in what kind of environment and for what purpose the product will be used.

1. What size do you need?

The size of the bin bag is a key consideration. If it is too small, it will not fit properly into the bin. If it is too large, it may result in unnecessary use of materials and higher costs.

It is important to make it clear that:

• what size bin or collection container it goes into,
• what width and length are required,
• does the edge of the dish need to be folded back,
• is designed for manual or machine use,
• It must be supplied in rolls or sheets.

Determining the exact dimensions can lead to savings in both materials and costs when dealing with large quantities.

2. How thick should the bin bag be?

Thickness is usually specified in microns. The appropriate micron rating depends on the type of waste placed in the bag and the load it is subjected to during use.

A different thickness is required:

• for light office waste,
• for household waste,
• for heavier mixed waste,
• for industrial waste,
• for sharper or coarser materials,
• for outdoor collection.

A bag that is too thin may tear easily, whilst one that is too thick may result in unnecessary use of material. The optimal solution is one that provides the necessary load-bearing capacity without using an unreasonable amount of raw material.

3. What sort of waste goes in there?

The type of waste determines the material, thickness and design of the bag.

This implies a different requirement:

• waste paper,
• light office waste,
• mixed household waste,
• packaging waste,
• industrial manufacturing waste,
• sharper or heavier waste,
• wet waste.

For wet or heavier waste, tear resistance and the quality of the weld are more important. For sharper waste, puncture resistance is also a key consideration.

4. Is it designed for indoor or outdoor use?

For indoor use, the following may be more important:

• odour neutrality,
• ease of use,
• a neat appearance,
• the right size,
• a quieter, more pleasant user experience.

In the case of outdoor or industrial use, the following may be of particular importance:

• the thickness,
• load-bearing capacity,
• tear resistance,
• resistance to weather conditions,
• the higher mechanical load.

For this reason, the same bin bag is not necessarily ideal for every setting.

5. Is odour neutrality important?

The issue of odours often arises with bin liners made from recycled materials.

This may be particularly important:

• in offices,
• in public institutions,
• in customer service areas,
• in hotels,
• in shops,
• for indoor waste collection.

Certain PCR reagents may have a distinctive odour. This is not necessarily a problem in outdoor or industrial settings, but it can be a nuisance in indoor environments.

In such cases, it is advisable to opt for higher-quality regranulate, PIR raw material, a blended formulation or, if necessary, an odour-reducing additive.

6. What packaging is required?

Rubbish bags are available in a variety of sizes.

For example:

• in a roll format,
• on a perforated roll,
• mounted on a board,
• repeating,
• in individually numbered packs,
• in bulk packaging.

Packaging should be determined on the basis of the intended use and the sales channel. Different packaging is ideal for retail sales, wholesale distribution or industrial use.

7. Is bespoke manufacturing required?

For large orders, it is often worth considering bespoke production.

An example of something unique might be:

• the size,
• the thickness,
• the colour,
• the composition of the raw materials,
• the coil length,
• the number of items,
• the perforation,
• welding,
• the packaging,
• labelling or printing.

The advantage of manufacturing bespoke bin liners is that the product is tailored more precisely to its intended use, thereby avoiding it being either too large or too small.

Recycled bin liners: which raw material should we choose?

When it comes to the manufacture of bin bags, the choice of raw materials is a key consideration.

PCR raw material for bin liners

PCR, or post-consumer recycled material, is made from plastic that has been collected after consumer use.

This could be a good choice for bin liners where a high recycled content and waste recycling are important.

PCR can be made from raw materials such as:

• industrial bin bag,
• rubbish bag,
• a bag intended for outdoor use,
• construction or industrial waste collection bags,
• general-purpose bag.

When using PCR, attention must be paid to quality, odour and mechanical properties.

PIR raw material for bin liners

PIR, which stands for ‘post-industrial recycled’, is a raw material derived from by-products of industrial manufacturing.

This is generally a cleaner and more manageable material, so it may be a better choice for bin liners where the following are more important:

• odour neutrality,
• more consistent quality,
• a cleaner look,
• indoor use,
• more consistent production characteristics.

PIR material may also be considered for office, institutional or higher-quality bin liners if the aim is to use materials more sustainably, whilst also prioritising user comfort.

A combination of virgin and recycled raw materials

It is not always necessary to think solely in terms of recycled or primary raw materials.

For certain products, a blended formulation can be a good solution, for example:

• partly by PCR,
• partly PIR,
• partly made from virgin LDPE.

This may help to ensure that the bin bag:

• is sufficiently strong,
• has a more pleasant odour profile,
• to ensure more consistent quality,
• meet the requirements for recycled content,
• remains competitive in terms of value for money.

Common misconceptions about recycled bin liners

Myth 1: Recycled bin liners are always flimsy

That is not true in this form.

The quality of a bin bag does not depend solely on whether it is made from recycled or virgin materials. Rather, it depends on:

• what grade of regranulate is used,
• what thickness it is made in,
• what type of welding is used in its manufacture,
• what type of waste it is designed for,
• what manufacturing experience lies behind it.

Made from the right raw materials and with the correct settings, recycled LDPE bin liners can fulfil their purpose reliably.

Myth 2: Recycled bags always smell

Some recycled materials may have an odour, particularly in the case of PCR. However, this does not mean that all recycled bin liners have an unpleasant smell.

The intensity of the smell depends on:

• from the origin of the raw material,
• from waste sorting,
• depending on the washing technology,
• the quality of the regranulate,
• from additives,
• depending on the intended use.

For indoor use, it is advisable to choose a purer raw material; for outdoor or industrial use, however, the odour is often less of a concern.

Myth 3: Only thick bags are strong

Thickness is important, but it is not the only factor.

The following factors affect the actual load-bearing capacity of a bin bag:

• the quality of the raw material,
• the structure of the film,
• welding,
• the size of the bag,
• the type of waste,
• how to use it.

Even a poorly made, thick bag can tear, whilst a well-designed, thinner bag made from the right material can still fulfil its purpose.

Myth 4: The same bag is suitable for every use

This is one of the most common mistakes.

Different bin bags are needed for the office, for the home, for industrial waste and for waste collection companies. A good bin bag is always suited to its specific purpose.

How are bin bags made?

The production of bin liners involves several stages, and each stage can affect the quality of the final product.

1. Selection of raw materials

The first step is to select the appropriate LDPE raw material. This may be virgin, recycled or a blend of both.

2. Extrusion of film

The raw material is extruded to produce film tubing or film. It is at this stage that the film’s thickness, width and basic mechanical properties are determined.

3. Customisation

The film is cut to the required size, rolled up, perforated or cut into sheets.

4. Welding

The bottom or sides of the bag are sealed by welding. The quality of the weld is crucial, as a poorly welded bag can easily tear open during use.

5. Packaging

The finished bags can be delivered to the customer in rolls, sheet packs or custom packaging.

What sort of quality control is important for bin liners?

In the case of bin liners, the aim of quality control is to ensure that the product performs reliably during use.

Key assessment criteria:

• thickness,
• dimensional stability,
• tensile strength,
• stretching,
• weld quality,
• smell,
• surface appearance,
• the quality of the winding or perforation.

Based on the customer interview, the manufacturer tests, amongst other things, the elongation, tear strength and other physical properties of the film products in its own laboratory, which is an important factor in building confidence in recycled LDPE products. 

Why is the minimum order quantity important?

In high-volume B2B manufacturing, the minimum order quantity is important because setting up the production line, preparing raw materials, formulating the product and machine time all incur costs.

Based on the interview, the general minimum order quantity is 500 kg / type, from which there may be deviations in the case of prototyping, tenders or bespoke testing. 

It is therefore advisable to clarify the following in advance when manufacturing bin liners:

• what type of bag are we talking about,
• what size it comes in,
• what thickness,
• what raw material,
• in what form,
• what annual or monthly volume is expected.

The more accurate this data is, the more efficient the manufacturing and pricing processes can be.

Delivery and production lead times for large orders

The production and delivery of bin liners depend on the order quantity, the availability of raw materials, machine capacity and the current production workload.

It was mentioned during the conversation that orders are typically confirmed within 24 hours, and delivery can usually be arranged within 3–4 weeks; for smaller batches, this is often possible within 3 weeks. For larger quantities requiring lorry-load shipments, production capacity may affect the lead time. 

For this reason, with large orders, it is not advisable to leave procurement until the last minute. As bin liners are a product used on a regular basis, it is advisable to plan stock levels and delivery schedules in advance.

When is it worth considering a consignment arrangement or a long-term partnership?

If you regularly use large quantities of bin bags, it may be worth establishing a long-term relationship with a supplier.

It was mentioned in the interview that, in the case of a stable, long-standing partnership, a consignment stock arrangement might even be considered, which could help ensure that the necessary finished products or raw materials are available to the partner. 

This could be particularly useful:

• wholesalers,
• waste collection companies,
• for industrial plants,
• for regular users,
• to larger institutional suppliers.

Long-term cooperation can not only help ensure a secure supply, but can also improve predictability in terms of prices, quality, production scheduling and stock management.

How can optimising bin bags help to reduce costs?

A bin bag may seem like a simple product, but when used in large quantities, even small changes can lead to significant savings.

For example, the following can be optimised:

• the size of the bag,
• its thickness,
• the composition of the raw materials,
• the proportion of recycled content,
• the packaging,
• the packaging,
• the delivery schedule.

If a bag is too large or too thick for the task at hand, it results in unnecessary use of material. If, on the other hand, it is too small or too thin, it may tear, which can lead to additional costs, inconvenience and waste.

The aim is for the bin bag to contain exactly what is needed — neither too little nor, unnecessarily, too much.

Rubbish bags for wholesalers

For wholesalers, bin liners are not just a product, but also an inventory management and sales category.

The following may be important to them:

• consistent quality,
• constant availability,
• the competitive price,
• the standard sizes,
• the ability to order larger quantities,
• a reliable manufacturing background,
• the option of custom branding or packaging.

By offering bin liners made from recycled materials, wholesalers can provide their customers with a product that represents both a cost-effective and a more sustainable alternative.

Rubbish bags for industrial companies

In industrial companies, bin bags are often an overlooked strategic product, yet they are an important part of day-to-day operations.

If the bag is unsuitable:

• breaks away,
• the waste is spilling out of it,
• difficult to handle,
• too expensive,
• it needs to be replaced too often,
• does not fit the collection container,

it will then cause ongoing minor operational problems.

A well-chosen industrial bin liner, on the other hand, can simplify waste management, reduce inconvenience and optimise material usage.

Sustainability and the manufacture of bin liners

The bin bag is a particularly interesting product from a sustainability perspective, as it is itself linked to waste collection.

By using recycled LDPE as a raw material, it is possible for some of the plastic waste to be reintroduced into the economy in the form of new products.

This may help:

• the circular economy,
• a reduction in the use of primary raw materials,
• the company’s sustainability objectives,
• ESG communication,
• better utilisation of waste streams.

However, it is important that sustainability communications are accurate. It is not enough simply to say that a bin bag is “green” or “environmentally friendly”. It is far more credible if it is clearly specified what recycled materials it is made from, in what proportions, and for what purpose.

What sort of documentation might be important for a B2B order?

For larger corporate or industrial clients, it may be important for the product to be accompanied by documentation.

Examples of this might include:

• quality certificate,
• information on the composition of raw materials,
• measurement of physical properties,
• Statement on reused content,
• REACH compliance,
• Data that can be used for ESG or sustainability reports.

Based on our discussion, the manufacturer can issue a quality certificate for the product in question upon request, which may include measurement data on its physical properties and information on its material composition. 

This may be particularly important for partners who are considering audited supplier systems, ESG reporting or sustainability targets.

Summary

The manufacture of bin liners from recycled LDPE can, in many cases, be a good, cost-effective and more sustainable solution. This is particularly true for industrial, waste collection, construction or wholesale applications, where the product’s main function is the safe storage and handling of waste.

However, a good bin bag is not just a question of thickness. The quality of the raw material, the seams, the size, the packaging, the odour profile, the environment in which it is used and the type of waste are also important.

Reliable bin liners can also be made from recycled raw materials, provided that the correct regranulate is used and the product is tailored to its intended purpose. Different factors are important for an office bin bag than for an industrial waste collection bag or a wholesale product.

Purchasers would therefore be well advised not only to request a quote, but also to specify the intended use, dimensions, thickness, requirements regarding the raw material and the necessary documentation.

A carefully chosen bin liner is not only more cost-effective, but can also provide a more reliable and sustainable solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can bin liners be made from recycled materials?

Yes, in many cases, bin liners can be successfully manufactured from recycled LDPE, particularly for industrial, waste collection, domestic or wholesale use.

What does a bin bag made from regranulate mean?

It means that recycled plastic is used as the raw material for manufacturing the bin bags. This may come from consumer waste, industrial by-products or other recycled LDPE material.

Can a rubbish bag made from recycled material be just as strong as one made from virgin raw materials?

Provided the right raw materials, thickness, welding and manufacturing settings are used, even a recycled bin bag can fulfil its function reliably.

Do recycled bin bags smell?

Certain PCR raw materials may have an odour, but this is not a problem with all products. For indoor use, it is advisable to choose a purer raw material or an odour-reduced solution.

What thickness of bin bag should you choose?

The thickness depends on the intended use. A thinner bag may be sufficient for light office waste, whereas a thicker, stronger bag is required for industrial or heavier waste.

What is the difference between domestic and industrial bin liners?

Household bin liners are generally designed for lighter loads, whilst industrial bin liners are suitable for heavier use, heavier waste and industrial environments.

Is it possible to produce bin liners in custom sizes?

Yes, for larger orders, it is possible to specify custom sizes, thicknesses, colours, packaging, perforations or raw material composition.

What is the minimum order quantity?

According to the interview, the standard minimum order quantity is 500 kg per type, but this may vary in the case of prototyping or tenders.

What is the lead time for a large order?

The production and delivery time is usually 3–4 weeks, but this depends on the quantity, the product type, the raw materials and current production capacity.