Selecting waste bags and refuse sacks: Material, thickness, volume and DIN EN 13592

LDPE, LLDPE or HDPE: Which film material fits which type of waste?

Film bags are mainly made from the polyethylene grades LDPE, HDPE and LLDPE [8]. Although all three polymers share the same monomer base, their polymerization processes create distinct mechanical profiles [8]:

• LDPE (Low-density polyethylene): Produced in a high-pressure process, LDPE has highly branched molecular chains [8]. The film is soft, flexible and exhibits high puncture and tear-propagation resistance [8]. LDPE sacks (frequently made from regranulate) are the standard choice for heavy, wet or angular waste in catering, industry, construction and municipal collection [8], [10].
• LLDPE (Linear low-density polyethylene): Characterised by very high stretchability and tensile strength [8]. Blended with LDPE or used in coextruded films, LLDPE increases puncture resistance (dart drop value) and weld seam strength at reduced wall thickness [8], [9].
• HDPE (High-density polyethylene): Produced in a low-pressure process, HDPE enables very thin, rustling films with high tensile strength [8]. Once punctured, however, HDPE tears further more easily than LDPE [8]. It is therefore used primarily for light, non-sharp waste such as paper towels, office waste and sanitary bin liners [8], [10].

Feature	LDPE refuse sacks	HDPE bin liners	LDPE/LLDPE blend
Feel & optics	Soft, waxy, flexible [8]	Stiffer, rustling, often matte-translucent [8]	Soft with very high elongation [8]
Tear propagation	High tear-propagation resistance if punctured [8]	High initial strength, tears more easily after puncture [8]	Very high puncture and seam strength [8]
Typical application	Kitchen waste, general waste, industry, municipalities, 60–240 l [8], [11]	Office, sanitary, hotel rooms, light waste, 10–60 l [8], [11]	Demanding industrial and collection sacks [8], [9]

Determining volume, container dimensions and fit correctly

Nominal litre ratings such as 30 l, 60 l, 120 l or 240 l serve as a quick market reference (for example, a standard 120-litre sack measures 700 × 1100 mm) [9], [11]. Because bins of the same litre volume can have very different footprints – round, semicircular, square or tall and slim – the actual container dimensions are always decisive for procurement [11]:

• Bag width (half circumference): The circumference of the open bag mouth (2 × flat width, or 2 × [face width + side gusset] for gusseted bags) must be slightly larger than the upper outer perimeter of the waste bin so the rim can be folded over without tension [9], [11].
• Bag length: Required length equals the bin height plus the overhang folded over the rim (approx. 10 to 15 cm) plus an allowance so the bag rests fully on the bin floor (approx. half the bin diameter) [11].
• Side gusset vs. flat sack: Side-gusseted bags adapt particularly well to rectangular and square bins as well as wheeled containers thanks to their pleated sides [11].

Closure types and bottom constructions compared

Alongside material and size, the converting style determines daily handling efficiency [9]:

• Drawstring bags: A circumferential plastic tape is threaded into the top hem, allowing the bag to be drawn closed hygienically, tied and carried by the tape [9].
• Wave-top bags (scalloped edge): The upper filling edge is die-cut in a wave pattern; after filling, the protruding flaps are simply knotted together [9].
• Flat bags on rolls or loose in cartons: Straight-cut sacks with tear-off perforation on rolls or folded flat in dispenser cartons – the most economical format for high-volume users and container liners [9], [11].
• Star seal vs. flat bottom: Roll bags with a star seal distribute weight into a central point and fit round bins smoothly, whereas a straight bottom weld (flat bottom) lies completely flat in wide, box-shaped containers [7], [9].

What does standard DIN EN 13592 test in waste sacks?

For public contracting authorities, municipalities and tenders, European standard DIN EN 13592:2017-05 (Plastic sacks for household waste collection – Types, requirements and test methods) is the authoritative technical specification [7]. It establishes uniform measurement and testing procedures so bids from different suppliers can be compared objectively [7]:

1. Dimensions, nominal volume and film thickness: Standardised verification of length, width, effective filling height and wall thickness in micrometres (µm) [7], [9].
2. Puncture resistance (dart drop test): A weighted hemisphere dart is dropped from a defined height onto the clamped film; the dart drop value expresses resistance to sudden, localised impact [9].
3. Tensile strength, seam strength and leakage tightness: Testing of tear strength in machine and transverse directions as well as load capacity and liquid tightness of bottom and side seals [7].

Recycled content (PCR vs. PIR), Blue Angel and RAL-GZ 720

Refuse sacks are one of the most important applications for high-grade polyethylene recyclate [10], [11]. Procurement specifications distinguish strictly according to the origin of the secondary raw material [9], [10]:

• PIR (Post-Industrial Recyclate): Derived from clean, single-grade production offcuts from film extrusion and bag converting (such as edge trim or punch skeletons) [9], [10].
• PCR (Post-Consumer Recyclate): Recovered from used household, commercial and transit films after end-use through sorting, washing and regranulation [9], [10].

Public tenders frequently specify a verified PCR share: Germany's Blue Angel (Blauer Engel) ecolabel requires a minimum of 80% recycled plastic in waste sacks [11], [12]. In addition, the RAL-GZ 720 (% Recycled Plastic) quality mark documents unbroken traceability of recyclates originating from household packaging collections (Yellow Bag / Yellow Bin) and states the exact percentage [11], [13]. Pakzeno supplies waste bags and refuse sacks in all standard sizes and thicknesses – including defined recycled content, municipal printing and full alignment with public tender specifications.

View waste bags and refuse sacks from Pakzeno