Bin Bags

Cromwell stock a large range of bin bag and bin liners in our selection cleaning and hygiene products. With everything from heavy duty black refuse sacks to clear recycling bags, there is a product to suit your specific application.

What are bin bags?

Simply put bin bags are designed to house waste materials of varying types. They like the inside of household bins of all sizes, and some are specialised to hold specific waste types like recyclables and biodegradable waste as well as hazardous waste types. The traditional black refuse sack typically holds non-recyclable waste for landfill. Bin bags make emptying and transferring waste into industrial bins easier and more hygienic.

Types of bin bags

Whilst bin bags all serve a similar purpose there are differences in types, unrelating to size.

• Black refuse sacks - The standard image most of us think of when we think "Bin Bag". These general waste bags are designed for everyday rubbish and non-recyclables destined for the landfill.

• Clear - Part of dry mix recycling schemes, clear bin bags are commonly used to dispose of paper, cardboard plastic, and metal. Their transparent colouration is designed to give waste management operatives a clear indication to the contents of the bin.

• Coloured bin bags - Like transparent bin bags coloured bin bags tend to be tinted in specific colours rather than a solid block, as this allows waste management operatives to view the contents of the bin bag.

• Hazardous waste/Biohazard bags - These tend to be coloured depending on the disposal method required. They contain the biohazard warning to alert handlers that the contents are potentially dangerous. The colours available are shown below:

• Yellow bags - These bag are designed to house infectious clinical waste and are designed to be incinerated. Things that are placed in yellow bags include, gauzes, dressings and PPE contaminated with bodily fluids. Note: Sharps should be disposed of in a sharps bin and then placed into a yellow bag.

• Orange bags - These are designed for both hazardous and non-hazardous medical waste that is suspected of having come into contact with infectious diseases etc. Items contaminated with bodily fluids should not be placed into orange bin bags.

• Red bags - Red bags are designed for disposing of non-infectious anatomical waste, such as body parts and organs. Infected parts and teeth with dental amalgam should not be included.

*** Purple bags*** - Are used to dispose of anything contaminated with cytotoxic and cytostatic drugs, which are used to destroy cancer cells. This included medical equipment and PPE.

• White bags - White bags a specifically designed for dental waste including amalgam as this can give off a mercury vapour. Gypsum can also be disposed of in white bags.

• Clear bags - Clear bags are specifically designed to dispose of Covid-19 lateral flow tests.

• Blue bags - These bags are designed specifically to house non-hazardous and non-infectious waste, such as denatured drugs and unused medicines.

• Yellow/Black striped - These are used to dispose of non-hazardous and non-infectious waste that is deemed offensive to the senses. This can include items like nappies and colostomy bags.

• Red asbestos bags - These types of bags are constructed with a heavy-duty thickness and are specifically designed to hold asbestos and materials contaminated by asbestos. Their thickness is due to asbestos' highly fibrous nature and helps to avoid the risk of exposure due to tears and rips.

• Biodegradable composting bags - These bags are designed to hold biodegradable waste. They are made from materials like corn starch they are designed to break down with the contents of the bag allowing them to be fully composted.

Considerations when choosing a bin bag

The main thing to consider when choosing a bin bag is what you intend to dispose of. In the case of potentially harmful waste the appropriate bin bag should be selected to avoid the risk to health. In the case of recyclables putting non-recyclable waste into these bags could result in being fined or collection refusal.

• Size of the bag - The size of the bag in comparison to the bin is also a key consideration when choosing a bin bag. The bigger the bag the more refuse the bag is designed to hold.

• Thickness - The thickness of the bag is also important in determining what waste is being disposed of in the bin bag. Heavy industrial waste should be disposed of in a heavy-duty bag, whereas for lightweight non-recyclable waste a light-duty bag would suffice.

FAQ

What is the difference between a bin liner and a bin bag?

The main difference is size and strength. Bin liners are generally lightweight and designed to keep bins clean whilst holding a small amount of waste. Bin bags are generally thicker and have a larger storage capacity, making them more suited to larger and heavier waste amounts (depending on their thickness and size).

What weight capacity should I choose?

The CHSA rate the capacity of bin bags through testing, the weight drop, puncture, rip and tearing resistance of bin bags. Following the guidelines and weight capacity indications should ensure that the bin bag you choose holds up to the stresses of the job.