Choosing the correct garbage bag reduces tears, spills, double-bagging, and unnecessary costs. This guide explains how to select the right type, thickness, size, and colour for your business.
Strong, flexible bags ideal for sharp or irregular waste. Common in kitchens, janitorial routes, and mixed commercial waste where puncture resistance matters.
Stiffer, thinner bags designed for lighter, “soft” waste such as paper, washroom garbage, and low-risk office waste. Excellent where volume is high but weight is low.
Measured in thousandths of an inch. Typical commercial ranges are 0.7–2.0 mil. Higher mil means better resistance to punctures and tears.
Measured in microns (µ). Typical commercial ranges are 6–24 microns. Higher micron means stronger, but still intended for lighter waste.
Rule of thumb:
Heavy, sharp waste → higher mil (LLD bags)
Light, mostly paper waste → micron-rated HD bags
A properly sized bag fits snugly over the rim without excessive overhang. Using the wrong size wastes plastic and makes bags more likely to tear or slip into the container.
If you are unsure which size matches your containers, Papermake can help you identify the correct bag based on can type, width, and height.
Colour choices are not just cosmetic — they help with sorting, safety, and compliance.
Papermake offers a complete range of commercial garbage bags, organized into clear, colour-coded categories so you can quickly find the right option for your facility.
Common in healthcare, foodservice, and customer-facing areas where a clean, bright look is important.
Browse White Garbage Bags »
Ideal for recycling programs and environments where contents must remain visible for security or audit
reasons.
Browse Clear Garbage Bags »
The standard choice for janitorial and general waste in offices, warehouses, and back-of-house areas.
Browse Black Garbage Bags »
Designed for retail, carry-out, and specialty uses where handle bags or branded/tote styles are preferred.
Browse Specialty Bags »
Used for organics and compost collection programs in foodservice, institutions, and municipalities.
Browse Compostable Bags »
If you are unsure which bag is best for your containers or waste stream, Papermake can recommend the right combination of size, thickness, and grade for your application.
Explore our garbage bag categories to get started:
