The Complete Guide to Bin Liners: Types, Sizes, and Choosing the Right One for Your Needs

Why the Right Bin Liner Actually Matters

A bin liner seems like a straightforward purchase. You grab a roll, line the bin, tie it off, and move on. But anyone who has dealt with a split bag, a poor fit, or a compostable liner that breaks down too early knows not all bin liners are created equal.

Choosing the right liner saves time, prevents mess, and reduces waste. For businesses managing multiple waste streams, the decision matters even more.

This guide covers everything you need to know from the difference between compostable and degradable options to getting the exact size and thickness required for your bins.

Types of Bin Liners Available in Australia

Understanding the categories is the essential first step. Here is a clear breakdown of what each type actually means.

Standard Plastic Bin Liners

Traditional garbage bin liners are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). LDPE liners are softer and more flexible for household waste. HDPE liners are thinner but stronger in tension for heavier loads.

They are cost-effective and reliable for general waste. However, standard plastic bags persist in the environment for hundreds of years and contribute to microplastic pollution when they break down incompletely.

Compostable Bin Liners

Compostable bin liners are made from plant-based materials like corn starch or sugarcane. They are engineered to break down into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass under composting conditions.

In Australia, two key certifications apply to compostable bin liners.

• AS5810 is the standard for home composting. Liners certified to this standard break down in a backyard compost within three to six months.
• AS4736 is the standard for industrial composting, which operates at higher temperatures. Liners certified to AS4736 need to go to a commercial facility to break down correctly.

Look for the Seedling logo or the Australian Certified Home Compostable mark. The National Waste Policy encourages diverting organic waste from landfill, making compostable liners the ideal choice for food waste and FOGO kerbside collection bins.

Degradable Bin Liners

Degradable bin liners are typically conventional plastic bags with additives that cause the plastic to fragment into smaller pieces when exposed to heat or light.

Fragmentation is not the same as biodegradation. Degradable bin liners break into microplastics rather than disappearing. They are not compostable and are not accepted in composting streams. For most applications, certified compostable or recycled content liners are much better choices.

Recycled Content Bin Liners

Bin liner bags made from post-consumer recycled plastic reduce the demand for virgin plastic. They keep recovered material circulating in the economy. Recycled content liners are a practical choice for general waste streams where composting is not an option.

Bin Liner Sizes Explained

Getting the size right prevents the liner from slipping or bunching up. Here is a general guide to the most common sizes.

• 8 to 15 litres suits desktop bins and small kitchen compost caddies.
• 20 to 30 litres fits mid-size kitchen bins and office waste bins.
• 45 to 60 litres covers standard household kitchen garbage bins.
• 80 to 120 litres works well for large commercial bins and warehouse waste.
• 240 litres provides full wheelie bin capacity for high-volume commercial use.

Bin Liner Thickness: What the Numbers Mean

Bin liner thickness is measured in microns (μm). The higher the number, the thicker and more puncture-resistant the liner.

Choosing the Right Bin Liner for Your Setting

Home Kitchen and Bathroom

For general household waste, a standard 60-litre rubbish bin liner in 20 to 25 microns suits most kitchen bins. Bathroom bins are typically well served by small liners in the 8 to 10-litre range.

Home Composting

If you maintain a backyard compost, look specifically for home compostable bin liners certified to AS5810. These can go straight into the compost along with their contents.

FOGO Kerbside Bins

Many Australian councils are rolling out FOGO kerbside collection. Whether compostable liners are accepted depends on your specific council. Always confirm with your local council before placing any liner in a FOGO bin.

Commercial Kitchens and Hospitality

Commercial kitchens generate large volumes of food waste and require reliable liners. Look for compostable bin liners in the 20 to 30-litre range certified to AS4736 for commercial composting facilities.

Offices and Commercial Buildings

Offices typically work with small desktop liners and larger liners for centralised bins. Recycled content liners are practical choices for paper and mixed waste.

Industrial and Construction

Heavy-gauge garbage bin liners in 80 microns or above are required for industrial waste. Standard heavy-duty liners in 80 to 240-litre sizes offer high puncture resistance and load capacity.

Compostable vs. Degradable vs. Standard

If you are making a sustainable choice, here is a simple decision framework:

• Use a certified home compostable bin liner for organic waste going to a home compost.
• Use a certified industrial compostable liner for organic waste going to a commercial facility.
• A standard or recycled content liner is practical for general waste going to landfill.

What to Look for When Buying in Bulk

For commercial use, maintaining consistency in gauge and material prevents operational problems. Ensure the roll format and core size are compatible with your mounted dispensers. Compare sheet counts and per-unit pricing when evaluating quotes.

Having access to certification documentation is also important for businesses reporting on sustainability packaging. For large-volume operations, explore our custom packaging options to get specific dimensions that reduce material waste.

A Note on Certification and Greenwashing

Claims like “eco-friendly” or “green” without reference to a specific standard are not meaningful. Look for AS5810 for home compostable products and AS4736 for industrially compostable products.

The Australasian Bioplastics Association certification mark verifies these standards. Treat anything marketed as simply “degradable” with caution.

Frequently Asked Questions