Manufacturing garbage bags from recycled materials – what should a buyer look out for?

Why are so many garbage bags made from recycled materials?

When it comes to garbage bags, 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 garbage 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,
• does not come loose during use,
• can handle the expected type of waste,
• fits the size of the bin,
• is manufactured using appropriate welding techniques,
• is easy to use,
• offers good value for money.

For this reason, a significant proportion of garbage bags 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 garbage 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 garbage bags 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 garbage bags: the expectations are not the same

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

Household garbage bags

It is generally important that the bag offers:

• easy handling,
• 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.

Garbage bags for offices and organisations

When it comes to garbage bags 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 use:

• purer regranulate,
• 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 garbage bag to be made from recycled materials, whilst ensuring that it does not cause any inconvenience to users when used indoors.

Industrial garbage bags and waste collection bags

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

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 garbage bag?

Before ordering garbage 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 garbage 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 garbage 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,
• easy handling,
• 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 garbage bag is not necessarily ideal for every setting.

5. Is odour neutrality important?

The issue of odours often arises with garbage bags 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 regranulates 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?

Garbage 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 garbage bags is that the product is tailored more precisely to its intended use, thereby avoiding it being either too large or too small.

Recycled garbage bags: which raw material should we choose?

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

PCR raw material for garbage bags

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

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

PCR can be made from raw materials such as:

• industrial garbage bag,
• garbage 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 garbage bags

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 garbage bags 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 garbage bags 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 garbage 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 garbage bags

Myth 1: Recycled garbage bags are always flimsy

That is not true in this form.

The quality of a garbage 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 garbage bags 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 garbage bags 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 garbage 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 garbage bags are needed for the office, for the home, for industrial waste and for waste collection companies. A good garbage bag is always suited to its specific purpose.

How are garbage bags made?

The production of garbage bags 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 garbage bags?

In the case of garbage bags, 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 garbage bags:

• 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 garbage bags 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 garbage bags 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 garbage 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 garbage bags help to reduce costs?

A garbage 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 garbage bag to contain exactly what is needed — neither too little nor, unnecessarily, too much.

Garbage bags for wholesalers

For wholesalers, garbage bags 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 garbage bags made from recycled materials, wholesalers can provide their customers with a product that represents both a cost-effective and a more sustainable alternative.

Garbage bags for industrial companies

In industrial companies, garbage 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 garbage bag, on the other hand, can simplify waste management, reduce inconvenience and optimise material usage.

Sustainability and the manufacture of garbage bags

The garbage 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 garbage 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 garbage bags 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 garbage 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 garbage bags 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 garbage 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 garbage bag is not only more cost-effective, but can also provide a more reliable and sustainable solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can garbage bags be made from recycled materials?

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

What does a garbage bag made from regranulate mean?

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

Can a garbage 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 garbage bag can fulfil its function reliably.

Do recycled garbage 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 garbage 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 garbage bags?

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

Is it possible to produce garbage bags 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.