Disposable Garbage Bags Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Degradable Disposable Garbage Bags,Nondegradable Disposable Garbage Bags), By Application (Household Use,Commerical Use,Industrial Use), Regional Insights and Forecast to 2033

Disposable Garbage Bags Market Size

The Disposable Garbage Bags Market size was valued at USD 9683.42 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 14393.4 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2025 to 2033. The disposable garbage bags market is expanding rapidly, driven by the rise in municipal waste, growing urbanization, and heightened sanitation awareness across both developed and developing economies. As of 2023, over 6.8 million metric tons of disposable garbage bags were consumed globally, with polyethylene based bags accounting for approximately 74% of the total volume. The increasing demand for hygienic waste handling solutions in households, offices, healthcare, and public spaces has reinforced market growth.

Key Insights

Market Size & Growth

• Market Size (2024): USD 9683.42 million
• Forecasted Market value (2033) : USD 14393.4 million
• CAGR of 2024-2033 : 4.5%
• Base Year:  2024

Top Segments

• Type: Biodegradable garbage bags are gaining traction due to environmental regulations, offering sustainable alternatives and driving innovation in materials like PLA, PBAT, and compostable polymers.
• Application: Residential waste disposal remains the dominant application segment, fueled by growing urban households and hygiene awareness, while commercial and industrial use sees steady growth in institutional and manufacturing settings.
• End-User: Households lead end-user demand, followed by sectors like healthcare, hospitality, and retail, where hygiene, odor control, and efficient waste management are crucial operational priorities.

Leading Regions

• North America: (≈ 30–34% market share, 2023) Dominates global consumption, driven by high hygiene awareness, stringent waste regulations, and strong demand for eco‑friendly and durable garbage bags

• Asia Pacific: (≈ 30–34% share; fastest CAGR ≈ 7–8%) Rapid urbanization and rising disposable incomes in countries like China and India fuel strong growth in both plastic and biodegradable garbage bags

Key Challenges

• Environmental Regulations: Strict government policies against single-use plastics push manufacturers to shift toward biodegradable alternatives, increasing production costs and complicating supply chains.
• Raw Material Volatility: Fluctuating prices of raw materials like polyethylene and bioplastics impact profit margins and hinder consistent production, especially for small and medium-sized manufacturers.

Emerging Opportunities

• Sustainable Product Development: Rising demand for biodegradable and compostable garbage bags creates opportunities for innovation in eco-friendly materials and green manufacturing processes.
• Emerging Markets Growth: Expanding urban populations and improving sanitation infrastructure in Asia, Africa, and Latin America offer untapped market potential for affordable, hygienic waste disposal solutions.
• Smart Packaging Integration: Incorporating features like odor control, antibacterial lining, and tear resistance in premium garbage bags can attract health-conscious and high-income consumer segments.

Q&A SUMMARYS

Q1. What is a Disposable Garbage Bags Market used for?

Disposable garbage bags are used to contain and hygienically dispose of solid waste across households, offices, restaurants, hospitals, colleges, and industrial facilities

Q2. What is the market size of the Disposable Garbage Bags Market industry in 2024?

In 2024, the global Disposable Garbage Bags Market was valued at approximately USD 9683.42 million, projected to reach USD 14393.4 million by 2033 with 4.5% of CAGR

Q3. Which industries are driving Disposable Garbage Bags Market demand?

Key sectors fueling demand include residential households, along with commercial, healthcare, hospitality, retail, educational, and industrial establishments .

Q4. Who are the top players in the Disposable Garbage Bags Market?

Leading companies include Berry Global Group, Novolex Holdings, Clorox (Glad), Reynolds Consumer Products, Inteplast Group, Mondi, RKW, and Sigma Plastics

Q5. What region holds the largest Disposable Garbage Bags Market share?

Asia Pacific, led by China and India, held the largest share (~40%), driven by urbanization, strong demand, and manufacturing capacity .

Q6. What are the main challenges in the Disposable Garbage Bags Market?

Major challenges include strict environmental regulations limiting single-use plastics and volatility in raw-material prices (e.g., polyethylene, bioplastics) impacting costs .

Disposable Garbage Bags Market Trends

The disposable garbage bags market is undergoing dynamic changes fueled by consumer behavior, regulatory shifts, and material innovation. A significant trend is the rise of biodegradable and compostable garbage bags, particularly in developed nations. In 2023, biodegradable garbage bag consumption in the EU crossed 520,000 metric tons, with Italy, Germany, and France being the primary contributors due to strict bans on conventional plastic.

Material innovation is also influencing purchasing preferences. Manufacturers are increasingly adopting polylactic acid (PLA), starch blends, and oxo-biodegradable polymers. In 2023, PLA-based garbage bag production increased by 19% year-over-year, with over 60,000 metric tons manufactured globally. These materials offer comparable strength to traditional LDPE but decompose within 90 to 180 days under composting conditions.

Another key trend is the growth of scented and antimicrobial garbage bags. In 2023, over 1.4 billion scented garbage bags were sold worldwide, primarily in North America and the Middle East. Antimicrobial bags, treated with silver nanoparticles or organic compounds, gained popularity in the healthcare and hospitality sectors, with sales volumes increasing by 24% globally.

Bulk packaging formats and drawstring designs are also increasingly favored. Over 48% of all retail garbage bag sales in 2023 included drawstring variants for convenience and hygiene. Moreover, the commercial sector demanded larger capacity bags exceeding 120 liters, with usage growing by 15% compared to 2022, particularly in shopping malls, airports, and industrial parks.

Eco-labeling and sustainable packaging are emerging as purchase influencers. More than 70% of garbage bag packs sold in Europe and North America carried eco-friendly certifications or recycling instructions in 2023. Retailers also reported a 31% higher shelf turnover for products labeled as “compostable,” “biodegradable,” or “100% recycled.”

Online distribution channels gained significant traction. In 2023, more than 960 million garbage bag units were sold via e-commerce platforms, representing a 26% increase over the previous year. Subscription-based services also emerged, with over 320,000 households in the U.S. enrolling in monthly garbage bag delivery plans.

Disposable Garbage Bags Market Dynamics

Market dynamics in the Disposable Garbage Bags Market refer to the set of key forces that influence how the market behaves, grows, and evolves over time. These dynamics are shaped by external and internal factors such as environmental regulations, raw material availability, consumer preferences, and technological innovation.

DRIVER

Rising Global Waste Generation and Demand for Sanitary Disposal

The primary driver for the disposable garbage bags market is the rising volume of solid waste generated globally. In 2023, global municipal solid waste exceeded 2.4 billion metric tons, with urban areas contributing over 75%. This increased waste output has led to higher demand for hygienic waste containment solutions. Governments and municipalities now mandate waste segregation and sealed disposal, with disposable garbage bags being the most effective containment solution. For instance, Japan distributed over 180 million standard-issue garbage bags to urban households in 2023 as part of municipal sanitation programs. Public health policies and lifestyle changes have elevated daily household garbage generation in countries like the U.S. (2.7 kg/day per household) and China (1.9 kg/day), necessitating the widespread use of disposable garbage bags.

RESTRAINT

Environmental Concerns and Regulatory Restrictions on Plastic Use

A major restraint affecting the disposable garbage bags market is growing environmental regulation and public opposition to plastic pollution. In 2023, over 60 countries implemented bans or restrictions on single-use plastic items, including conventional non-biodegradable garbage bags. The Indian government, for example, restricted the use of PE garbage bags below 75 microns, resulting in a 17% drop in low-grade plastic bag sales. Several cities in the U.S., such as Seattle and San Francisco, banned black garbage bags due to difficulties in recycling colored plastic. This has forced manufacturers to either shift to compliant materials or exit certain regional markets, leading to temporary supply bottlenecks and price fluctuations.

OPPORTUNITY

Increasing Adoption of Biodegradable and Compostable Bags

The shift toward sustainable waste management offers a key opportunity for manufacturers. Biodegradable garbage bags are now in high demand from both municipal bodies and consumers. In 2023, China’s biodegradable garbage bag production capacity reached 230,000 metric tons, with new investments in PLA and starch-blend production plants. In South Korea, government incentives resulted in over 75 million compostable garbage bags distributed across 45 municipalities. Western Europe leads in certified compostable bag usage, with more than 420,000 metric tons sold in 2023. These bags support organic waste programs, reduce landfill dependency, and help cities meet zero-waste targets. Opportunities also exist in customization for industrial applications—over 14,000 tons of custom-printed biodegradable bags were manufactured globally in 2023 for food services, pharma, and medical sectors.

CHALLENGE

Price Sensitivity and Competition from Reusable Alternatives

One of the key challenges is the price differential between conventional and eco-friendly garbage bags. Compostable garbage bags cost up to 3 times more than regular PE bags, deterring adoption in cost-sensitive markets. In 2023, price disparities led to a 21% drop in compostable bag purchases in Southeast Asia, where municipal subsidies were not available. Additionally, the emergence of reusable waste containers and washable garbage liners poses a long-term challenge. In Germany, over 1.8 million households transitioned to semi-permanent waste bins in 2023, reducing dependency on disposable garbage bags. Manufacturers must balance cost-efficiency, sustainability, and convenience to remain competitive in such evolving conditions.

Disposable Garbage Bags Market Segmentation

The disposable garbage bags market is segmented by type and application, allowing differentiation based on environmental compliance and end-user needs.

By Type

• Degradable Disposable Garbage Bags: Degradable bags include oxo-biodegradable, compostable, and starch-based variants. In 2023, global consumption of degradable bags reached 950,000 metric tons, accounting for nearly 14% of the total market. Europe led the segment with over 480,000 metric tons sold, largely driven by mandatory composting regulations. PLA and PBAT (polybutylene adipate terephthalate) blends dominate this category and are often certified to ASTM D6400 or EN13432 standards.
• Nondegradable Disposable Garbage Bags: Nondegradable bags, primarily made from polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE), remain the most widely used category. In 2023, nondegradable garbage bag usage exceeded 5.8 million metric tons globally, with Asia-Pacific contributing 2.3 million metric tons. These bags are preferred for cost-efficiency, high strength, and compatibility with existing waste handling systems.

By Application

• Household Use: The household segment accounted for 57% of the global market volume in 2023, with over 3.9 billion households globally using disposable garbage bags. Drawstring variants and 20–50 liter capacity bags are the most commonly used formats. North America and Western Europe together represented over 2.4 billion units sold.
• Commercial Use: Commercial establishments like offices, malls, and restaurants used over 1.6 million metric tons of garbage bags in 2023. The segment saw a 12% increase in demand for odor-control and high-strength bags. Custom-branded garbage bags for commercial clients accounted for 380,000 metric tons.
• Industrial Use: Industrial applications, including factories, logistics centers, and healthcare, consumed more than 1.3 million metric tons of garbage bags in 2023. Bags above 100 liters, puncture-resistant, and antimicrobial variants are common in this segment. Medical waste disposal bags formed over 120,000 metric tons of this category.

Regional Outlook for the Disposable Garbage Bags Market

The disposable garbage bags market displays distinct regional patterns influenced by consumer behavior, regulation, and urbanization.

• North America

North America remains a mature market, with the U.S. and Canada accounting for over 1.4 million metric tons of disposable garbage bags in 2023. The U.S. alone generated over 290 million metric tons of municipal solid waste, of which more than 40% was handled using commercial and residential plastic garbage bags. Regulatory initiatives in California, New York, and Oregon have encouraged the use of certified compostable bags, pushing sales of biodegradable garbage bags to over 240,000 metric tons. Retail giants in North America launched private-label garbage bag brands in 2023, selling over 650 million drawstring units via brick-and-mortar and e-commerce.

• Europe

Europe is the global leader in biodegradable garbage bag adoption. In 2023, EU member states consumed over 620,000 metric tons of compostable and bio-based garbage bags. Germany, France, and Italy contributed 62% of this consumption due to mandatory organic waste segregation policies. Colored and scented garbage bags gained traction in the UK, with more than 75 million units sold in residential packs. Germany introduced high-capacity bags for medical and industrial use, accounting for over 125,000 metric tons. Initiatives such as the European Plastics Pact and national bans on non-compostable plastics are expected to drive further shifts.

• Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific dominated global volume with over 2.5 million metric tons of disposable garbage bags sold in 2023. China contributed nearly 1.1 million metric tons, driven by rapid urbanization and sanitation programs in Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities. India followed with 620,000 metric tons, bolstered by Swachh Bharat (Clean India) initiatives. Japan and South Korea maintained stringent garbage segregation rules, distributing over 320 million municipal-issued garbage bags in 2023. The rising middle class and booming retail sector contributed to growing demand for household and commercial drawstring bags in Southeast Asian countries.

• Middle East & Africa

Middle East & Africa region showed strong growth with over 730,000 metric tons of consumption in 2023. The UAE and Saudi Arabia together consumed more than 340,000 metric tons, primarily in hospitality and public sanitation. Compostable garbage bag adoption in Dubai exceeded 12,000 metric tons, supported by hotel chains and government contracts. In Africa, South Africa and Nigeria led the market with over 180,000 metric tons collectively, with growing demand from urban centers and industrial parks. Regulatory implementation remains uneven but increasing awareness is driving eco-conscious product choices.

List of Top Disposable Garbage Bags Companies

• Glad(The Clorox Company)
• Hefty(Reynolds Consumer Products)
• Melitta
• MirPack
• Poly-America
• P.
• Berry Global Inc
• NEW TOP CORPOPATION
• Novolex
• Inteplast Group
• Luban Packing
• SODOLIKE
• Emil Deiss KG
• Teruijie
• Pack-It BV
• ZhanHong
• JD
• Novplasta
• Zhenlili
• Dagoplast
• Cosmoplast Industrial Company
• RDE
• Primax
• Al-Shoaibi Plastic Factory

Glad (The Clorox Company): Held the highest share in North America with over 780 million units sold in 2023. Known for premium drawstring, odor-control, and compostable product lines.

Berry Global Inc.: Produced over 1.3 million metric tons of PE and biodegradable garbage bags globally in 2023. Operates more than 290 facilities worldwide and supplies both branded and private-label bags to retail, industrial, and institutional clients.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investment trends in the disposable garbage bags market are increasingly aligned with sustainability and automation. In 2023, global investment in garbage bag manufacturing facilities exceeded $1.8 billion across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Berry Global announced a $110 million expansion in its Indiana and UK plants to produce compostable and high-durability commercial bags, with added capacity of 230,000 metric tons.

Startups focusing on biodegradable materials attracted significant venture capital. In India, a PLA-based garbage bag startup raised $21 million in Series B funding to scale up annual capacity to 35,000 metric tons. In China, three new manufacturing lines for starch-based biodegradable bags were established, boosting national capacity by 48,000 metric tons.

Private label partnerships are creating new revenue channels. Retailers across Europe and North America expanded in-house brands, accounting for over 42% of total retail garbage bag sales. Licensing deals for odor-control technologies and antimicrobial coatings also attracted $90 million in intellectual property investments globally in 2023.

Municipal contracts present a strong opportunity segment. More than 580 cities worldwide tendered bids for eco-compliant garbage bags in 2023, with contract sizes ranging from 10 to 90 million bags annually. Companies compliant with EN13432 or ASTM D6400 standards are particularly favored.

Digital platforms are also emerging as key opportunity areas. Subscription-based delivery of garbage bags, active in over 20 countries, grew 19% year-over-year. Partnerships with e-commerce platforms enabled manufacturers to reach over 160 million users globally. Investment in automated packaging and printing technologies increased factory productivity by 14% in high-capacity facilities.

New Product Development

The disposable garbage bags market is witnessing continuous innovation in materials, formats, and functionality. In 2023, over 480 new SKUs were launched globally, including multi-layer, compostable, scented, and drawstring-enhanced designs.

A key innovation was the release of multi-layer compostable bags with inner linings to prevent liquid seepage. These products, developed in South Korea, were deployed in over 40 municipal composting programs, reducing bin contamination by 27%. In Germany, oxygen-blocking garbage bags were introduced for medical waste handling, achieving 99.8% odor suppression based on laboratory trials.

In North America, fragrance-embedded drawstring bags featuring lavender and citrus scent blends sold over 120 million units. These variants saw a 23% increase in household repeat purchases. Antimicrobial garbage bags, containing silver nitrate infusions, gained use in foodservice and healthcare sectors, with adoption in more than 9,000 hospitals globally.

Developments in bulk packaging included 200-bag dispenser packs targeting janitorial and commercial cleaning services. These were launched in the U.S. and Australia with initial demand exceeding 8,500 metric tons.

Custom-printed biodegradable bags also emerged in the industrial sector. Foodservice chains in France, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia placed bulk orders totaling over 75,000 metric tons in 2023, using branded compostable bags for waste segregation and hygiene promotion.

On the manufacturing side, laser microperforation technology was adopted in several plants to improve air ventilation in compostable bags. This reduces premature decomposition and extends storage life, resulting in improved usability.

Five Recent Developments

• Glad (Clorox) launched a new plant-based scented garbage bag line in March 2024, with over 60 million units sold within the first six months across North America.
• Berry Global installed AI-driven quality control systems at three U.S. factories in Q2 2023, reducing production errors by 18%.
• Novolex expanded its compostable bag facility in Ohio, adding 45,000 metric tons of annual capacity in September 2023.
• Cosmoplast introduced high-capacity biodegradable industrial bags in UAE in early 2024, securing government supply contracts for over 200,000 units monthly.
• Inteplast Group began commercial rollout of antimicrobial drawstring bags in January 2024, with 22 retail chains adopting the product within the first quarter.

Report Coverage of Disposable Garbage Bags Market

This report delivers a detailed and factual analysis of the global disposable garbage bags market, covering product segmentation, material trends, regional consumption patterns, major companies, investment flows, and innovation strategies. It examines usage across household, commercial, and industrial sectors and includes quantitative data on volume consumption, material types, and market distribution.

The report analyzes more than 25 types of disposable garbage bags, from standard LDPE variants to advanced biodegradable, compostable, and antimicrobial versions. It details the production and sales performance of over 22 top companies across 70 countries, with sales volume, production capacity, and strategic initiatives documented across each core region.

Regional insights cover consumption in over 40 markets including key economies such as the U.S., China, Germany, India, France, Japan, UAE, and South Africa. The report outlines the policy impact of over 60 regulatory developments, such as plastic bans, composting mandates, and labeling standards that influenced product adoption and formulation in 2023.

In addition, the study profiles new business models such as subscription services, private labeling, and e-commerce bundling that have expanded retail distribution. It also covers over 50 innovations launched in the last 12 months and includes market entry strategies for manufacturers exploring emerging biodegradable product lines.

This comprehensive report is designed for manufacturers, distributors, municipal buyers, policymakers, and sustainability-focused retailers seeking actionable data and strategic insights into the evolving disposable garbage bags market.

Frequently Asked Questions