Choosing bag thickness and load: stop over-thickening

Wrong gauge means splits, leaks and returns. Here is how thickness, blend and grammage fit together.

When sourcing trash bags, many buyers only ask for black and large, and overlook the two parameters that matter most: thickness and load capacity. Get thickness wrong and bags split, leak, and generate returns and complaints.

First, units. The industry measures single-side thickness in si (1 si = 0.01 mm) or microns (1 si = 10 μm). Note it is single-side: a bag is two layers, so 2 si means 0.02 mm per side. Household bags are usually 0.8–1.2 si per side, commercial liners 1.5–3 si, and extra-heavy industrial bags 5 si or more.

Thickness drives load, but it is not the only factor. At the same gauge HDPE carries more than LDPE, and adding LLDPE for toughness sharply improves tear resistance, so a thinner bag can match the load of a thicker one. Thicker is not always better: a well-blended thin bag often outlasts a poorly formulated thick one, and costs less.

A quick reference by use:

· Home kitchen / bathroom (light, low volume): 0.8–1.2 si, about 45×50 cm, drawstring is handy;

· Office / commercial (medium, possible sharp edges): 1.2–2 si with LLDPE against puncture;

· Property / sanitation / construction (heavy, sharp, high volume): 2–3 si or more, mostly HDPE + LLDPE, load first;

· Medical / infectious waste: per local regulation, usually adequate thickness plus a distinct color and a biohazard mark.

Grams-per-bag is another practical metric tied directly to cost. We ask what you will carry, how heavy and in what setting, then propose a thickness + blend + weight combination and offer free samples so you can test the load. Send your size and use case for a quote.

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