Decoding Can Liners

Chances are, you haven't given your trash can liners much thought, but taking the time to choose the right bag for different uses can result in significant savings and improved performance. 

The two primary types of liners
Linear low-density liners feature superior stretch and tear resistance. They're a great choice for applications where additional strength and stretch are required and work well for waste with sharp or jagged edges. Linear low-density liners are the most popular type of liner on the market.

High-density liners offer great strength and puncture resistance along with gas, moisture and odor barrier properties. They can be used to dispose of ordinary waste as well as liquid waste. They're more temperature-resistant than low-density liners.

Finding the right size Now that you know the type of liner you need, how do you figure out the right size? It's tempting to use a one-size-fits-all approach with can liners, but this can lead to wasted product and money. Using the simple equations below can help you find the correct sizes for all of your receptacles.

How to find the right size for round receptacles:

Width of bag required
Diameter of receptacle (the distance across the top of the receptacle) x 3.14 ÷ 2

Height of bag required
½ the diameter of receptacle + 6" (for overhang) + Height of receptacle

For square or rectangle receptacles:

Width of bag required
Total of all four sides ÷ 2

Height of bag required
½ the smallest of the four sides + 6" (for overhang) + Height of receptacle


ProMed offers a complete line of can liners and our knowledgeable sales team will be happy to help you determine which liners best meet your needs. To learn more, contact your Territory Manager, give us a call at (800) 648-5190 or visit us online at promedsupply.com.