How to Save Money by Picking the Right Trash Bag for Your Business

Table of Contents

 

Purchasing trash bags for your office or facility’s trash cans or recycling bins can be puzzling, with so many questions like, “What size trash bag do I need?” Or “Is this going to be too big? Too small?”

While deciding on trash bag sizes may seem trivial, there’s more to it than you think. Too small, and you’re tying the tiniest knot to close it. Too big, and you’re wasting plastic—and money. And both situations could result in problems with fit, leaks, and even tearing.

Different trash bag sizes serve different purposes and needs, whether they’re at the front of your office or the back of your facility. No worries, though! We’re breaking down the various sizes and their purposes below.

13-Gallon Trash Bags

When it comes to front office or breakroom use, 12- to 16-gallon trash cans are the most common. The standard trash bag size of 13 gallons is ideal for these needs, as they fit snugly and hold the right amount of trash for your sanitation schedule.

13-gallon trash bag

18-Gallon Trash Bags

Higher-traffic areas—such as breakrooms or conference areas—accumulate more trash. With larger groups of people, it’s recommended that you use 18-gallon trash bags for your garbage can or recycling bin. That way, they can accommodate more garbage while providing space for you to properly tie off the trash bag before throwing it away.

18-gallon trash bag

20-Gallon Trash Bags

For jobs like smaller construction sites, a 20-gallon trash bag capacity is ideal. These are great for collecting scraps and yard debris or even for recycling large amounts of paper at the office. There's also enough room to leave ample space to seal and discard the bags.

20-gallon trash bag

33-Gallon Trash Bags

33-gallon trash bags come in handy for business and commercial buildings or heftier jobsites. These trash bags are made to hold bulkier pieces of debris or yard litter in a larger volume bag compared to the 20-gallon. You can also load smaller trash bags into this larger bag for an easier time taking your office trash bags to the dumpster. Their in-between size also ensures they’re not too heavy to carry.

33-gallon trash bag

45-Gallon Trash Bags

Durability becomes a more critical factor for demo and renovation projects. On these types of jobs where you have to pick up more cumbersome pieces such as drywall, or sharper objects like nails or screws, 45-gallon trash bags offer a thicker, more puncture-resistant option. Their larger size also means you can fit much more inside them on the jobsite.

45-gallon trash bag

56-Gallon Trash Bags

When the 45-gallon trash bags don’t do the trick, why not go with the 56-gallon bags? These trash bags are huge and come in handy for organization and protective purposes. They’re strong, tough, puncture-resistant, and work great for storing items in your facility, shed, garage, or warehouse.

56-gallon trash bag

60-Gallon Trash Bags

In places like recreation centers or commercial warehouses, where a larger amount of people gather, 60-gallon trash bags are a great solution. They’re perfect for getting rid of mass amounts of items and are worry-free because of their strength and stability. 60-gallon trash bags are one of the largest you can purchase and carry almost anything you need to discard.

60-gallon trash bag

Why Not Just Buy a 30-Gallon Trash Bag for a 30-Gallon Trash Can?

The size of the trash can or recycling bin does not always directly correlate to the size of the trash bag required. Some overhang—about 4 to 6 inches—is necessary so that you can easily tie off and change the trash bag. Any overhang beyond 4 to 6 inches means that you can use a smaller size trash bag. That way, you’re not wasting excess plastic or having to spend more on larger size bags, helping both the environment and your wallet.

illustration of a 23-Gallon Slim Jim garbage can showing 3 sizes of trash bags

illustration of a 33-Gallon garbage can showing 3 sizes of trash bags

illustration of a 44-Gallon garbage can showing 2 sizes of trash bags
illustration of a 55-Gallon garbage can showing the correct size trash bag to use
Math Formula to Find the Correct Trash Bag Size

If numbers are your thing, check this out.

When looking at trash bag measurements (example: 38" x 58"), the first number is the width of the trash bag when it is laid flat (this would also be half of the circumference). The second number is the length of the trash bag from top to bottom.

Square Container Circumference
Circumference = Add the lengths of all four sides added together
Example: 10"+22"+22"+10" = 64" circumference

Round Container Circumference
Circumference = Diameter multiplied by 3.14
Example: 12" diameter x 3.14 = 37.68" circumference

Bag Length (round and square containers)
Add the height of the container plus 4-6 inches for overhang

A 38" x 58" trash bag will have a 76" (38" x 2) circumference. These formulas will help determine the circumference of your trash container to see what size trash bag will work best.

How Do You Determine the Strength of a Trash Bag?

Trash bag strength is determined by three things: the type of plastic, the trash bag’s thickness, and the type of seal used. There are three types of seals, listed below.

Note: the seal refers to the method used to seal the bottom of a trash bag, not how to tie a trash bag.

Star-Seal Trash Bags

Star seals are made by folding the bottom of the trash bag over itself several times. This type of seal is most commonly used by trash bag manufacturers as it helps eliminate leaks, prevents trash from piling up in one specific area, and allows the trash bag to be used in any garbage can or recycling bin, no matter the shape.

Flat-Seal Trash Bags

Flat seals are created by sealing the bottom edges of the trash bag together, ensuring no length of the trash bag goes unused. This type of seal is leak proof. However, they’re not as useful in different shaped garbage cans.

Gusset-Seal Trash Bags

Gusset seals are formed by taking the bottom edges and tucking them in to form a gusset. The outer edges become reinforced with four layers while the middle of the trash bag has only two. This seal has some discrepancy in strength, so these trash bags tend to leak.

How Much Weight Can Trash Bags Hold?

Use the trash bag size chart below to help determine which size trash bag you need based on how much weight the trash bag needs to hold.

Size Thickness Gallon Capacity Load (Dry Weight)

20" x 21"

24" x 23"

24" x 32"

30" x 36"

30" x 36"

33" x 39"

33" x 39"

36" x 58"

38" x 58"

38" x 58"

40" x 46"

40" x 46"

43" x 47"

0.35

0.35

0.35

0.5

0.7

0.5

0.65

0.7

0.7

0.55

0.5

0.7

0.7

7

8-10

12-16

20-30

20-30

33

33

55

60

60

40-45

40-45

56

7 lbs.

10 lbs

10 lbs.

20 lbs.

30 lbs.

20 lbs.

40 lbs.

40 lbs.

30 lbs.

40 lbs.

30 lbs.

30 lbs.

40 lbs.

Source: blog.interplas.com

Conclusion: Don’t Just Go for the Cheapest Trash Bag

From small trash bag sizes to ginormous ones, there is a trash bag that meets the demands of your business, office, or facility. Prices of trash bags vary, dependent upon size and thickness, so remember, using the wrong trash bag size could lead to you spending more money by paying for more bags or because you’re paying for excess plastic you don’t need. Use this guide to inform your decision-making for your next trash bag purchase!

 

Product Compliance and Suitability

The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.