What Size Trash Bag Do You Need, and What Does "Mil" Mean?
Bestsellers for Trash Bags
Gallons tell you whether a trash bag fits your can, but capacity is only the first check. A standard kitchen can usually takes a 13 gallon bag. A bathroom wastebasket often takes 4 gallons, and any bag still needs enough length to fold over the rim.
The mil figure, usually tucked into the smaller print, tells you how thick the plastic is. Words such as "Ultra Strong," "ForceFlex," "MaxStrength," "Extra Strong," and "Flex" are far easier to spot, but each brand uses its own terms. Check the gallons, dimensions, and mil before relying on them.
Which Bag to Use for Each Job
If you're lining... | Reach for |
|---|---|
A bathroom or office wastebasket | 4 gallon |
A small kitchen bin or a nursery pail | 8 gallon |
A standard kitchen can | 13 gallon |
A garage or utility can | 30 gallon |
A yard cleanup | Lawn and leaf, 39 gallon |
A trash compactor | Compactor bags, 18 gallon |
A renovation or heavy debris | Contractor, 42 gallon |
A countertop compost pail | Compostable food scrap, 3 gallon |
Signature SELECT Garbage Bags Small, 4 Gallon, 30 ct
Getting the Bag to Fit
The 13 gallon bag is the standard kitchen size, and most kitchen cans are built for it. The bag must also be wide enough for the opening and long enough to fold over the rim. Signature SELECT Tall Kitchen Bags print flat dimensions of "2 FT 3/8 IN x 2 FT 3 3/8 IN." Check those measurements if a 13 gallon bag slips or pulls tight.
Signature SELECT Tall Kitchen Bags With Drawstring, 13 Gallon, 45 ct
Closure affects fit and carrying. Signature SELECT calls its kitchen closure "Elastic Drawstring Fits & Grips." Its small 4 gallon and medium 8 gallon boxes say "Flap Tie." A drawstring grips the rim. Flaps use less material and knot tightly. Hefty contractor bags have flaps with handles for lifting a full load.
One shopper put the fit plainly under the headline Garbage bags: "Like the way they fit over rim of the can. Easy to install".
Signature SELECT Flex Large Bags With Drawstring, 30 Gallon, 25 ct
What Mil Measures
A mil is one thousandth of an inch. It usually appears near the bag's flat dimensions. Here are some of the popular products and their thicknesses.
Product label | Size | Labeled thickness |
|---|---|---|
Signature SELECT Small Garbage | 4 gallon | 0.5 mil |
Signature SELECT Medium Garbage | 8 gallon | 0.5 mil |
Value Corner Tall Kitchen | 13 gallon | 0.6 mil |
Signature SELECT Tall Kitchen | 13 gallon | 0.9 mil |
Seventh Generation Extra Strong Tall Kitchen | 13 gallon | 0.9 mil, 3-ply |
Signature SELECT Lawn & Leaf | 39 gallon | 1 mil |
Signature SELECT Flex Large | 30 gallon | 1.05 mil |
Signature SELECT Trash Compactor | 18 gallon | 1.9 mil |
Hefty Load & Carry Contractor | 42 gallon | 3 mil |
Seventh Generation Trash Bag Extra Strong Tall Kitchen Drawstring, 13 Gallon, 20 ct
Some bags can also have more than one thickness. The Signature SELECT Kitchen Flex value pack prints "1.64 mil (top)/0.82 mil (body)" and calls the upper portion a "Reinforced top." Its drawstring hem is about twice the thickness of its body.
Signature SELECT Trash Bags Kitchen Flex Value Pack, 110 ct
Mil measures total thickness. Seventh Generation labels its 0.9 mil bag "3-PLY FOR STRENGTH AND DURABILITY." Bags with the same total thickness can use different numbers of layers and different construction.
"They work, tight enough around the top. Also don't bust open at the bottom," reads a Signature SELECT kitchen bag review titled They work.
The Signature SELECT Lawn & Leaf label lists 1 mil. Its I ❤️ my trash bags! review says, "Nice and thick, heavy duty. I use for regular trash instead of lawn & leaf. I'm very happy with product."
Signature SELECT Lawn & Leaf Bags With Drawstring, 39 Gallon
Signature SELECT Trash Compactor Bags are labeled 18 gallon and 1.9 mil. Hefty labels its 42 gallon Load & Carry Contractor bag "Extra Thick 3 MIL" and gives it flaps with handles.
Hefty Trash Bags Contractor Flap Tie Load & Carry Heavy Duty, 42 Gallon, 14 ct
Scented, Unscented, and Front-of-Box Claims
Glad's fragrance-free tall kitchen bag prints "free From Fragrance" and "7 in 1 BENEFITS" on the visible face. That face does not show a mil figure.
Glad Forceflex Fragrance Free Tall Kitchen Drawstring, 13 Gallon, 40 ct
The Good value review of Signature SELECT medium bags explains the choice: "I like the tie flaps on bags. These bags are the perfect size for the multiple waste baskets we have throughout the house. I also really appreciate these bags are unscented. I cannot tolerate strong chemical scents, so these are perfect for me."
An unscented lawn bag also works as a box liner for one reviewer. Unscented durable and flexible multiple use greatness reads, "I love that these bags have no scent whatsoever and have a variety of uses. I line shipping boxes with them for items I ship to my family out of state. Durable and flexible item."
Compostable and Recycled-Content Bags
Compostable describes what happens to a bag after use. Open Nature's 3 gallon food scrap bag prints "COMPOSTABLE*" and carries the BPI COMPOSTABLE mark.
Open Nature Trash Bags Compostable Small, 25 ct
This is a food scrap bag for a countertop compost pail. The Kitchen bags reviewer liked the fit: "I love the size for kitchen scraps." Another, awesome compostable bags, calls it a "great product for your scrap waste".
Recycled content describes the material used to make the bag. Seventh Generation's box says "MADE WITH 65% POST CONSUMER RECYCLED PLASTIC." It remains a plastic bag.
Common Questions
What size trash bag fits a 13 gallon kitchen can?
Choose a 13 gallon tall kitchen bag, then compare its flat dimensions with the can. The top should extend past the rim so you can secure it.
What does mil mean on a box of trash bags?
Mil measures plastic thickness. One mil equals one thousandth of an inch. It gives you a consistent number to read across labels, while branded strength terms use no shared scale. Thickness still cannot tell you the bag's number of layers or how it will behave with a particular load.
Can you use a 30 gallon bag in a 13 gallon can?
Yes, if its flat dimensions let it sit securely on the rim. The larger bag may bunch and leave extra plastic inside or around the can. A 13 gallon bag usually fits a standard kitchen can more neatly.
What can I use if I run out of trash bags?
Use a larger bag from another can if it can grip the rim. A paper grocery sack can hold dry waste, though liquids can weaken it. You can also double two smaller bags for a small amount of waste, but check that neither is stretched tight enough to split.
Can you buy trash bags with EBT?
SNAP covers food, so trash bags are not eligible. At Safeway, the register splits a mixed basket between EBT and your other payment method automatically.
Do compostable trash bags break down in a regular trash can?
A regular trash can is only a container, so follow the disposal directions on the box. Open Nature's package says its food scrap bags are certified for commercial facilities and for backyard composting. Its package tells shoppers to check whether a commercial facility exists locally.
Safeway Buying Guide
Signature SELECT Tall Kitchen Bags With Drawstring 13 Gallon - 45 Count
Signature SELECT Tall Kitchen Bags With Drawstring 13 Gallon - 45 Count is a garbage bag with odor control and an elastic drawstring for convenience.
This product, Signature SELECT Tall Kitchen Bags With Drawstring 13 Gallon - 45 Count, is a great addition to any home. Its 13 gallon capacity makes it perfect for large jobs and its 2 ft 3/ 8 in x 2 ft 3-3/8 in x 0.8 mil dimensions ensure that it fits securely wherever you need it. It also has an odor control feature to keep your kitchen smelling fresh and an elastic drawstring which provides a secure fit on the bag for easy carrying or disposal. And with its 100% guarantee of quality and satisfaction, you can be sure that this product will last through all your clean-up needs.
- Drawstring feature makes these bags easy to close and carry out.
- With a 13-gallon capacity, these bags are perfectly sized for most kitchen trash cans.
- Users appreciate the durability of these bags, noting they rarely tear or leak.
- The 45 count pack offers excellent value for money, providing enough bags to last for a while.
- Signature SELECT Tall Kitchen Bags are praised for their quality, which is comparable to more expensive brands.
- Many users have expressed satisfaction with the strength of the bags, which can hold heavy trash without breaking.
- Customers also appreciate the ease of use and convenience these bags offer.
Signature SELECT Tall Kitchen Bags With Drawstring 13 Gallon - 85 Count
This product is Signature SELECT Tall Kitchen Bags With Drawstring 13 Gallon - 85 Count. It is a garbage bag with an elastic drawstring, odor control and 13 gallon capacity. It also fits and grips well and has a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
This Signature SELECT Tall Kitchen Bag is great for clean-up after picnics and parties, as it has a large capacity of 13 gallons. The elastic drawstring ensures that it will fit securely in any kitchen receptacle. The odor control feature also helps to keep your kitchen smelling fresh. Furthermore, this product comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, meaning you can buy with confidence knowing that you will be satisfied with your purchase or your money back.
- Strong and durable, these bags can handle heavy loads without tearing or breaking.
- The drawstring design makes the bags easy to close, ensuring a tight seal and making disposal hassle-free.
- With 85 bags in each pack, customers appreciate the excellent value for money this product offers.
- The bags are a perfect fit for 13-gallon kitchen trash cans, eliminating any guesswork for customers.
- Many users praise the high quality of these bags, noting they outperform other brands in terms of sturdiness and reliability.
- The product is part of the Signature SELECT line, which customers recognize as a trusted brand known for its superior products.
- Users appreciate the convenience of these bags, as they are easy to use and dispose of.
Glad Kitchen Bags Tall Drawstring Reinforcing Bands - 120 Count
Glad Kitchen Bags Tall Drawstring Reinforcing Bands are a great sustainable choice—made with 100% renewable energy and zero waste to landfills. These bags feature ForceFlex Technology with dual-layer leak protection, Grips-The-Can drawstring for secure closure, and are unscented. They also come in a variety of sizes to fit different garbage cans.
- Reliable strength: The Glad Kitchen Bags are praised for their durability and toughness, effectively holding a large amount of trash without tearing or leaking.
- Convenient drawstring design: Users appreciate the drawstring closure, which makes the bags easy to tie, lift, and carry.
- Reinforcing bands: These bags feature unique reinforcing bands that add strength while reducing plastic use, a feature that customers particularly value.
- Large quantity: The pack contains 120 bags, providing excellent value for money and ensuring users don't run out quickly.
- Ideal size for kitchen use: Customers love that these bags are tall enough to fit most kitchen trash cans perfectly.
- Easy to use: Users note the ease of pulling these bags from the box and fitting them into their bins.
- Odor control: Many reviews mention the effectiveness of these bags in controlling odors, keeping their kitchens smelling fresh.
