Wholesale Trash Bags: How to Buy by the Case (Sizes, Mil, Pack Counts)
The quick answer
To buy wholesale trash bags, do three things in order: match the bag size to your can, pick the thickness (mil) for what you throw away, then compare cost per bag across cases instead of cost per case. Case counts range from 20 heavy contractor bags to 2,000 small bags, so a cheaper case is not always a cheaper bag.
What "by the case" means for trash bags
Retail packs are usually small boxes. Wholesale trash bags are sold by the case, and the number of bags in a case depends on how big and how thick the bag is. A small drawstring bag comes 1,800 to a case. A 2-mil contractor bag comes 20 to a case, because the same carton is filled by far fewer, heavier bags.
Most wholesale suppliers also price in tiers. JiaroPack lists prices at 1, 4, 12 and 24 cases, so the cost per bag drops the more cases you order at once.
Pack counts and cost per bag
The table shows a selection of JiaroPack's trash bag sizes with the pack count per case and the cost per bag when you buy 1 case and 24 cases, calculated from the prices on our wholesale trash bags collection on October 11, 2026.
| Size | Bag dimensions | Mil | Bags per case | Color | Cost per bag, 1 case | Cost per bag, 24 cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 gal, drawstring | 15x15.7 in | 0.4 | 1,800 | White | 5.5¢ | 4.7¢ |
| 4 gal | 17x19 in | 0.48 | 2,000 | Clear | 3.5¢ | 2.8¢ |
| 8 gal, drawstring | 21x26 in | 0.55 | 1,400 | White | 8.6¢ | 7.5¢ |
| 30-33 gal | 32x38 in | 0.6 | 250 | Black / Clear | 11.6¢ | 9.6¢ |
| 30-33 gal | 32x38 in | 1.2 | 100 | Black | 40.0¢ | 34.0¢ |
| 40-45 gal | 40x48 in | 0.6 | 250 | Black / Clear | 19.6¢ | 17.2¢ |
| 40-45 gal | 38x46 in | 1.2 | 100 | Black | 50.0¢ | 45.0¢ |
| 55-60 gal | 38x58 in | 0.7 | 150 | Black / Clear | 26.0¢ | 23.3¢ |
| 55-60 gal | 38x56 in | 1.2 | 50 | Black | 80.0¢ | 68.0¢ |
| 55-60 gal, contractor | 36x56 in | 2 | 20 | Black | $1.10 | 90.0¢ |
Prices change and some listings are on sale, so check the product page before you order. The point of the table is the comparison: a 55-60 gallon bag at 0.7 mil costs a fraction of one at 2.0 mil, and the right choice depends on what the bag has to carry.
Step 1: Match the bag size to your can
Match the bag to the can capacity, then confirm the exact width and length on the product page. JiaroPack's size chart gives these common matches:
| Trash can capacity | Common use | Recommended bag size |
|---|---|---|
| 4–7 gallons | Small offices, bathrooms | 17 x 18 in |
| 8–10 gallons | Kitchens, small restaurants | 24 x 24 in |
| 13 gallons | Household kitchen | 24 x 33 in |
| 20–30 gallons | Medium office, commercial | 30 x 36 in |
| 33–39 gallons | Large household or restaurant | 33 x 39 in |
| 40–45 gallons | Industrial or restaurant kitchens | 40 x 46 in |
| 55 gallons | Warehouse, outdoor bins | 38 x 58 in |
Gallon names are approximate, so measure your can. Measure at the rim, not the base, and allow for the cuff that folds over the edge. Our commercial can liner size guide has the formulas for round and rectangular cans.
Step 2: Choose the thickness for your waste
Thickness is measured in mil (one thousandth of an inch). A thicker bag resists punctures and tears but costs more per bag. These ranges come from JiaroPack's guidance for foodservice and commercial users:
| What goes in the bag | Typical thickness |
|---|---|
| Light, dry waste: paper, napkins, office trash | About 0.5–0.7 mil |
| Medium waste: mixed trash, food scraps | About 0.9–1.2 mil |
| Wet waste and organic material | 1.2 mil or more |
| Heavy or sharp waste: bones, shells, debris | 1.5–2.0 mil or more |
Our trash bag thickness guide for foodservice explains the reasoning in more detail. For jobs like renovation and cleanup, a 2-mil contractor bag is the heavy-duty option.
Step 3: Pick the type that fits the job
- Household: everyday bags for kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.
- Commercial: heavy-duty, leak-resistant bags for offices, restaurants and retail stores. See the commercial can liners.
- Contractor: extra-thick bags for construction, renovation and cleanup, built to resist punctures and tears.
- Drawstring: bags you can tie and carry, with odor containment, suited to most standard cans.
How many cases do you need?
Work out your monthly use first. Bags per day, times days in the month, divided by the bags in a case. For example, a cafe that uses 12 bags of 30-33 gallon size a day uses about 360 a month. At 250 bags a case that is about 1.5 cases, so ordering 3 cases covers two months and still leaves a small buffer. (This is an illustrative example, not a real customer.)
Round up, and keep a reserve for the busy season. Running out of bags is more expensive than a spare case in the storeroom.
Common mistakes when buying wholesale trash bags
- Comparing price per case. Cases hold different counts. Divide the price by the bags in the case.
- Choosing by gallon name only. A "40-45 gallon" bag can be 38x46 in or 40x48 in. Check the dimensions.
- Buying too thin for wet or sharp waste. Cheap bags that split cost more in cleanup and replacement bags.
- Buying too thick for light waste. You pay for strength you never use.
- Ordering one case at a time. The volume tiers reward bigger orders, so order for the quarter once you know your use.
- Ignoring color. Black hides contents; clear lets you see what is inside, which some kitchens and recycling programs prefer.
FAQ
How many trash bags are in a wholesale case?
It depends on the size and thickness. On JiaroPack's range, a case holds anywhere from 20 bags (55-60 gallon, 2 mil) to 2,000 bags (4 gallon, 0.48 mil).
Can I buy just one case?
Yes. JiaroPack sells single cases, with lower prices per case at 4, 12 and 24 cases.
What mil trash bag do restaurants need?
Most restaurant kitchens use about 0.9–1.2 mil for mixed waste and 1.2 mil or more for wet waste. Use 1.5–2.0 mil for bones, shells and other sharp items.
What size bag fits a 55-gallon drum?
A 38 x 58 in bag is the standard match for a 55-gallon can. JiaroPack also sells 55-60 gallon bags in 36 x 56 in and 38 x 56 in.
How do I know how thick a bag is?
Look for the mil rating on the product page. Some suppliers list microns instead: 1 mil is about 25 microns.
Can I order custom specifications or recurring shipments?
JiaroPack offers custom specs and recurring shipments through a wholesale quote request.
Ready to order?
Browse all wholesale trash bags or the commercial can liners, or request a wholesale quote for volume pricing and recurring orders.
Related reading: complete trash bag size chart, commercial trash can liner size chart, trash bag thickness for foodservice.
Sources
- JiaroPack: Trash bags wholesale (sizes, mil, pack counts, prices as of October 11, 2026)
- JiaroPack: Complete trash bag size chart
- JiaroPack: Trash bag thickness explained for the foodservice industry
- JiaroPack: Commercial trash can liner size chart
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