Bin Liners

Buy best value bin liners and refuse sacks for all your waste disposal needs.

Bin liners are one of the most common household items around the world. Millions of households use bin liners to collect waste and refuse placed inside rubbish bins, before simply lifting the bin liner out of the bin to convenient and clean disposal. There is a bin liner for every type of bin, from swing bins to pedal bins, square bins to push-top bins and brabantia bins to wheelie bins, whilst eco-friendly biodegradable bin liners are popular for the collection of food waste or garden cuttings, before disposing in compost, where the bin liner will decompose with the waste itself.

Bin liners are...

• Bags used to line bins, but more specifically...
• Polythene bags used to line the inside of dustbin
• Also known as bin bags, waste sacks or rubbish bags
• Used to catch rubbish when it is placed into a dustbin
• Great at keeping the interior walls of the bin clean, stain-free and smell-free
• Excellent at reducing odour levels when collecting and disposing of everyday rubbish
• Handy to use, providing quick and easy disposal of rubbish collected within the bin
• Easily sealed and disposed of when full - just remove the full bin liner from the bin, lift at the edges, grab a handful of polythene from either side and then tie in a knot above the middle of the bag. You can then transport the bin liner to your exterior dustbin or wheelie bin
• Available in a range of shapes to suit all types of bin, including pedal bins, swing bins, square bins, round bins, flip-top bins, brabantia bins or traditional lift-lid dustbins.
• Available in a range of sizes to suit any bin, big or small
• Available in traditional polythene or a range of biodegradable alternatives - perfect for gathering food waste, kitchen waste, composting materials or garden waste

The bin liner - a brief history

The bin liner is such a part of modern day life that you could be forgiven for thinking it was always there, but of course it wasn't!

In Canada in 1950 an inventor by the name of Harry Wasylyk from Winnipeg, Manitoba, alongside his colleague Larry Hansen - another Canadian, from Lindsay, Ontario - invented the first polyethylene bin liner, which was the colour green.

Of course, being a North American creation, the world's very first bin liner wasn't called a bin liner, or even a rubbish bag, but a garbage bag (that's rubbish, North America!).

Whilst obviously very clever chaps, Messrs Wasylyk and Hansen didn't quite spot the future direction for the humble bin liner and the fact that it would end up in millions of homes around the world, as the first bin liners were designed for commercial use rather than use at home.

Having sold the first bags to the Winnipeg General Hospital, Wasylyk and Hansen sold their invention to the Union Carbide Company, Lindsay, where they worked and the company saw their potential for future use. Union Carbide began manufacturing the first green garbage bags for home use that decade and the very first bin liners (or garbage bags) for home use went on sale in the late 1960s under the name Glad Garbage.

So if you like bin bags then you should be glad for Glad Garbage, even if you aren't glad that the name includes the term garbage. It's probably a better, or less rubbish, brand name than Glad Rubbish anyway, even if it sounds a bit rubbish to call rubbish garbage.

Make sense? Well, congratulations to Messrs Wasylyk and Hansen for their clever invention, which is anything but rubbish… or garbage for that matter. Here's to you sirs!

Bin liner types - one size does not fit all

What does the term 'bin liner' mean to you? What sort of bin springs to mind and, more importantly, what sort of bin liner or bin bag do you think of fitting inside that bin?

Those very questions will prompt a wide range of answers, depending on who you speak to, reflecting the huge variety of bin liners available to fit the broad and varied array of bins or rubbish receptacles out there.

Bin liners range from very small bags that fit mini pedal bins - the sort commonly found in bathrooms - or kitchen caddies made from biodegradable material that are used to collect food waste disposal, right up to industrial sized bags that fit in wheelie bins or large compactor bins used predominantly outside business premises.

In between, you'll find a broad range of bin bags and liners that cater for bins of all shapes and sizes, including:

• Traditional dustbins
• Pedal bins
• Swing bins
• Square bins
• Flip-top bins
• Push-top bins (e.g. Brabantia)
• Wheelie bins
• Food bins / Kitchen caddy
• Compost bins
• Compactor bin
• Recycling bins
• Public litter bins

Bin liners - a black and white issue

The vast majority of bin liners or bin bags - depending on which term you prefer to use - are made from either black or white polythene, although there is a huge range of colours available to meet various waste disposal needs (more details below).

When considering black or white polythene, a good rule of thumb for bin bags is that thin means white and thick means black. Of course this is not always true - the gauge of polythene used for both white and black polythene bin bags will vary - but more often that not, thicker bags are made of black polythene.

Bin liners made from white polythene include a range of bags to fit small bins for domestic use, such as pedal bins, swing bins or square bins. These bags are commonly made from thin, lightweight white polythene as they are designed to deal with light duty use - e.g. tissues, toilet rolls innards, pencil sharpenings etc.

The old-fashioned classic black bin bag is that used for your everyday rubbish, whether in your kitchen bin, an outside dustbin or just used loose to collect rubbish from a wide area, e.g. clearing up after a party.

The standard dimensions of a regular black bin bag are between approx. 85cm and 100cm long - approx. 34” to 39” - and between 64cm and 74 cm wide - approx. 25” to 29”.

More so than white bin liners, black bin bags come in a huge range of thicknesses, from the cheap and cheerful ultra-light price beater sacks at 80 gauge thick, to the ultra thick heavy duty bags, which are up to 350 or 400 gauge thick.

So you could be forgiven for thinking your choice of bin liner is a black and white issue, although this is not the case. Bin liners are available in a huge variety of colours. The coloured varieties tend to be slightly more expensive than the standard black variety, but they can be helpful in many other ways. Here is one of them...

10 things you might hear about Bin Liners

White Pedal Bin Liner 7mu 22x17x17 Roll of 40

A pedal bin liner has to match the bin as well as the waste stream, because a loose or above-sized sack soon becomes awkward on a small office bin and may tear when a pedal lid drags against it. Light-density white film is often chosen for desk-side or swing-bin use since it retains the contents concealed and is easy to replace, nevertheless the gauge still requirements enough strength for paper, food scraps, and the strange sharp edge from packaging. Size matters as much as colour, with a poor fit leading to slippage, wasted material, and messy assortments. A well-matched liner retains the bin area tidy and cuts avoidable handling damage.

A dustbin liner has to be matched to the job, not only the size of the bin, because thin film that sees fine on the roll can split as soon as heavy waste, sharp edges, or rough handling are involved. In warehousing and shop-floor use, gauge, fit, and seal quality matter only as much as the headline dimensions, since a bag that tears on lifting creates mess, additional labour, and avoidable pollution. polythene suppliers liners are often chosen for wet or mixed waste because they retain contents contained better than paper alternatives, nevertheless even then film tension and folded packing need control. A liner that is also loose slumps and slips, while one that is also tight is awkward to fit. Getting the specification proper retains waste handling tidy and reduces complaints.

code E, custom fit bin liners, 3 packs of 20

A well-fitted bin liner makes a daily pedal bin far cleaner to live with, because the sack sits properly against the rim and does not bunch up or slip down when waste is dropped in. That matters in a kitchen, where loose liners can leave drips on the outer surface and create additional wiping round the base and lid. A liner manufactured to the proper size also assists the pedal mechanism work as intended, since the bag is less likely to snag when the lid opens and closes. Good fit saves tidying and retains a simple part of furniture looking clever.

Pedal Bin Liner - Light Duty 11X17X18" (16x43)

A light-duty pedal bin liner works optimal when the waste stream is dry, tidy, and moved out often, because the film does not have much reserve strength. Thin polythene suppliers retains material use down and takes up small space in storage, nevertheless it can split if the bag is overfilled, dragged across a rough rim, or asked to grasp sharp offcuts. That makes gauge selection a practical matter, not only a cost selection. For cleaner office or washroom use, the lighter grade normally does the job and turns above fast. For heavier waste, a stronger liner cuts waste, mess, and complaints at origin.

Le Cube Dustbin Liner Dispenser 80 Litre Black (Pack of our telephone

A superb dustbin liner dispenser makes fast-paced waste handling cleaner and less wasteful. Holding liners in a tidy cube format retains the pack compact on a shelf or trolley, so bags are easier to count, grip and issue without ruffling the all stack. For busy back-of-house areas, that matters because loose liners often cling together, tear at the seam or acquire dropped on a wet floor. Black liners also assist conceal waste from view, which is useful in shared work areas and client-facing spaces. Packed in sensible quantities, the product suits routine replenishment rather than ad hoc buying, and that normally means less shortages when bin changeover is happening at speed.

Has the sale of bin liners increased since the plastic bag ban was introduced?

A bin liner only earns its retain when it matches the method waste is collected and lifted. Light household bags are often treated as harmless, yet they can split below damp food waste, sharp carton edges or a full kitchen caddy, leaving a mess in the bin and additional cleaning for the householder or cleaner. A stronger gauge polythene suppliers liner gives better puncture resistance and retains the load together for easier handling. Where waste is mostly dry, even a thinner bag may be enough, so the proper selection relies on the contents rather than habit. That makes bag selection a small detail with a proper effect on tidiness and labour.

HEAVY DUTY - PEDAL BIN LINERS (500) - OLS

Pedal bin liners need to match the bin and the waste pattern, or they soon become awkward in daily use. A liner manufactured in the gross gauge can split when a caddy is lifted, while one that is also heavy for the task wastes material and makes stock handling less efficient. For a high-turnover setting, a boxed supply of 500 gives tidy storage and better stock rotation because the cartons are easy to select, count, and dispatch. White film also makes it easier to spot soiling and manage hygiene checks. A well-chosen liner retains the bin clean and reduces mess at the point of emptying.

dustbin liner

A dustbin liner fails fast when the gauge is also light for the waste stream it is meant to grasp. Thin polythene suppliers stretches below sharp offcuts, heavy kitchen waste, or damp material, and once the film beginnings to neck down, the split travels fast. A better selection balances film thickness, seal quality, and capacity so the bag grasps its load without tearing amid lifting or emptying. In warehousing and shopping backrooms, the proper liner also cuts handling damage at the bag rack and reduces spill clean-up. Matching the liner to the waste avoids nuisance failures and retains daily waste routines moving.

Derby Litter Bin Liner - 120 Litre

A 120 litre bin liner requirements to match the bin shape and the method waste is handled, not only the stated capacity. When the gauge is also light, the liner splits as it is lifted out or dragged across a rough rim, and that leads to leaks, additional cleaning and wasted stock. A liner with the proper fit also sits better in the bin, which assists retain the opening tidy and reduces slipping inside the container. For litter bins, that matters because the load is often awkward rather than heavy. A superb match between liner and bin retains simple waste handling tidy and predictable.

Essential Pedal Bin Liners Tie Handles 30s

A pedal bin liner has to cope with awkward household waste, so the film requirements enough strength to resist stretching, splitting and puncture while still fitting neatly in a small bin. Recycled plastic can do that well when the gauge and sealing are controlled properly, because a liner that is also thin will fail at the corner folds and one that is also stiff will not sit cleanly around the rim. Tie handles assist make removal quicker and reduce mess at the lift-out stage. The proper test is simple: if the liner survives normal kitchen use without leaking, the material selection has done its job.

Where to buy bin liners

Bin liner manufacturers and suppliers include:

Rubbish Bags
Discount Rubbish Bags lives up to its name, providing customers with a wide range of rubbish bags, waste sacks and bin liners at discount prices. Contains loads of information, giving you the very best opportunity to buy the right rubbish bag at discount prices.
www.discountrubbishbags.co.uk

Bin Liners
A very helpful website for any customer looking to purchase bin liners for any type of waste disposal. Featuring information on different types of polythene bin liner and eco-friendly alternatives, this website has your bin liner needs covered.
www.binliners.org

Bin Bags
Bin Bags is the website for all your bin bag needs. Whether you are shopping for traditional black waste sacks, bin liners or eco-friendly alternatives, this website will help you find the right bin bag for you.
www.bin-bags.co.uk

Black Bin Liners
Whatever type of bin bag or waste sack you are looking for, Discount Bin Liners is sure to help you make the right decision. From pedal bin liners to clinical waste disposal sacks and swing bin liners to wheelie bin bags, this site will help you get the right bin liners at great discount prices.
www.discountbinliners.co.uk

Wheelie Bin Liners
Discount Wheelie Bin Liners is a useful resource on bin liners, bin bags, waste sacks and eco-friendly bin liners. With bin liner news and a list of bin liner manufacturers, this is a bin liner website you don't want to miss.
www.discountwheeliebinliners.co.uk

Research & Resources

For more information on bin liners and bin bags, from manufacturing to methods of recycling, plus a list of polythene and biodegradable bags available, please visit:

PackagingKnowledge: The go-to knowledge site for the UK's polythene packaging industry, containing a huge wealth of information and useful articles on bin liners.

PlasticBags.uk.com: The UK's number one polythene packaging directory. List your products for free or browse through a fantastic selection of bin liners websites.

Goldstork: Search through specially selected information on bin liners in this free 'pick-of-the-web' directory.

Organise your recycling with coloured bin liners

If you want to separate your rubbish or waste to make it easier to dispose of, then coloured bin liners or bin bags could be just what you are looking for.

Today you can buy bin bags in a range of different colours to cater for your waste disposal needs, whatever they are.

If you just want to separate your rubbish into recyclables and non-recyclables, then why not choose black bin bags for your general waste and then green bin bags for your recyclable waste. You're doing your bit for the environment, so why not choose a green bin bag for your green waste?

The colour of bag you need may be determined by your local council or the company that collects your rubbish. Many people have wheelie bins of a certain colour that need to be filled with a particular type of waste but, in some instances, wheelie bins aren't a practical solution so coloured bin bags solve that problem.

Always check with your local council or the relevant organisation managing your waste disposal, but the following waste is often associated with the following colour of bin bag or wheelie bin:

• General (non-recyclable) rubbish - black
• Garden waste - green or brown
• Food waste - green or brown
• General recycling - green
• Plastic recyclables (bottles, trays etc.) - blue
• Aluminium (cans or tins) - grey or silver
• Hazardous waste (e.g. asbestos) - red
• Clinical waste (as used in hospitals) - yellow

Clear bin liners

There is one other 'colour' bin bag not referred to in the list of coloured bin liners. That is partly because it was worthy of a mention all on its own and partly because it doesn't really have a colour - it's see through!

Clear bin liners, otherwise known as see-through bin liners or transparent bin liners, are very useful for managing your waste disposal. They allow you to keep an eye on the rubbish being disposed of to ensure that no foreign materials other than those allowed are dumped in the bag.

Imagine an office where there is loads of paper recycling, but it has to be paper only being thrown away in the bag because it is all tipped straight into a giant shredder. Well what if someone accidentally threw their empty drinks can into the paper bin after finishing their drink?

If you were using traditional black bin liners you might never see that can, which could cause irreparable damage to a very expensive printer. But if you're using clear bin liners then, when you take the bin liner from out of the bin, it's very easy to take a quick look at the contents of the bin. Give it a quick shake about to check there's nothing trapped in the middle that shouldn't be there, and then you're done.

Clear bin bags are very popular in the workplace and are available in a range of thicknesses, to deal with light duty use such as paper, right through to super heavy duty bags for disposing of rubble and other hardcore materials on building sites etc.