High-Density vs. Low-Density Trash Bags: What's the Difference?

Shopping for can liners, you'll see two kinds of bags: high-density bags measured in microns, and low-density bags measured in mils. They are made from different plastics and work best for different trash.

High-density (HDPE) bags

• Thin, crinkly and a bit see-through, measured in microns (for example 8, 12, 16 or 22 micron).
• Strong for their weight: they carry a lot of weight without stretching.
• Tear more easily on sharp or jagged items.
• Lowest cost per bag, often packed 500 to 2,000 to a case.
• Best for: office paper, bathrooms, break rooms, light dry trash.

Low-density (LDPE) bags

• Soft and stretchy, measured in mils (for example 0.9, 1.2, 1.5 or 2 mil).
• Stretch around sharp corners instead of tearing, so they resist punctures.
• Cost more per bag than high-density bags of the same size.
• Best for: kitchens, restaurants, wet or heavy trash, yard waste, anything with sharp edges.

How microns compare to mils

One mil is about 25 microns. You can't compare them one for one, though: because high-density plastic is stiffer and stronger, a 16 micron high-density bag can carry about as much weight as a much thicker low-density bag. It just won't stretch around sharp objects.

Quick picks

• Office wastebaskets (7-10 gallon): 8 micron high-density, 1,000 bags.
• Janitorial 40-45 gallon cans: 16 micron high-density for paper, or 1.2 to 1.5 mil low-density for mixed trash.
• Kitchen and restaurant cans: low-density 1.2 to 2 mil.

Bulk discounts apply automatically from 3 cases, and every order ships free in the contiguous USA. Questions about which bag fits? Contact us.