How to Find Strong Trash Bags

For spring cleaning, moving or just cleaning the house, finding a trash bag that's up to the job can seem tough. To be sure you've found a bag that won't tear, look for bags that are flexible and equipped for outdoor use. If you're going to be using a lot of trash bags, you might also want to look for bags made from recycled materials to reduce the environmental impact.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look for the name brands. Generic store brand or value brand trash bags are cheaper and may look the same on the box, but they usually just aren't the same quality. Look for brands like Glad and Hefty for a high quality product.

2. Look for flexible bags. Many brands have a variety of trash bag that is both strong and flexible to handle irregularly-shaped items and avoid tears and punctures. Hefty's Ultra Flex bags and Glad's Force Flex are both good options.

3. Look for outdoor strength or industrial strength bags. These bags are usually dark gray or black with a drawstring closure and typically hold about 30 gallons. The Hefty SteelSak and Glad's Outdoor Trash bags are both outdoor or industrial quality, which means they can handle tough trash like sticks and other sharp debris.

4. Consider ordering industrial strength bags in bulk from a custodial supplier or wholesaler if you will be using more than 20 or 30 bags. Ordering in bulk will cut down on your costs and you may be able to find larger bags from a specialty supplier than you would in a grocery store or supermarket.

5. Consider getting bags made from recycled plastic. Seventh Generation makes strong, high quality trash bags from 100 percent recycled plastic material that can be purchased online and from select retailers. If you're going to be using a large number of trash bags, recycled bags are a good option for a smaller impact on the environment.