King County Environmental Purchasing Program

Plastic Can-Liners, Recycled

• Introduction
• Usage History and Experience
• Bid and Contract Specifications - King County Supply Contract
• For More Information
• Vendor Information

Introduction

Plastic bags with recycled content are commonly used for refuse collection and for lining refuse cans. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) bags are strong and lightweight. They were the first in the marketplace with high post-consumer recycled content. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) bags are more puncture-resistant than HDPE bags but also consume more material, as they must be thicker than HDPE bags to achieve the same strength.

Usage History and Experience

In 2004, King County purchased over 11,000 cases of can-liners at a cost of over $185,000. These were made with 25%-30% high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or 25% low‑density polyethylene (LDPE) recycled post-consumer plastic. County agencies have used recycled plastic bags from various vendors with good results since 1991. When the contract was initiated, only one vendor responded with recycled content, but the opportunity of the County contract encouraged other vendors to develop the capacity to use recycled plastic in production of these bags.

Bid and Contract Specifications - King County Supply Contract

King County agencies purchase refuse can-liners containing recycled plastic through term-contracts with local vendors. This section contains excerpts from the provisions of the Invitation-To-Bid that resulted in these contracts.

Recycled/Non-recycled reporting requirement

The supplier shall report the total dollar and unit volume of recycled and non-recycled can-liners supplied to each County department during each calendar quarter. This report shall be submitted during the month following the end of the completed quarter.

Definitions

"Recycled Material" means material and by-products which have been recovered or diverted from solid waste for the purpose of recycling. It does not include those materials and by-products generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing process.
"Post-Consumer Recycled Material" means material and by-products which have served their intended end-use by a consumer and have been recovered or diverted from solid waste. It does not include those materials and by-products generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing process.

Samples:

Samples of product offered shall be submitted upon request of King County.

Approved equals:

The brand names listed indicate the standard of quality required.
Brands of equal quality, performance and use will be considered provided the bidder specifies the brand, model and other data for comparison with their bid. King County will be the sole judge for approving other brands offered as equals to the brand specified. Bidders shall indicate if they are offering alternate brands in the space below each item.

Technical Specifications:

LDPE -- low density polyethylene plastic

Manufacturer: Carlisle Plastics, Eco-choice brand or approved equal
Content: 50% Recycled, 25% post-consumer

 

	Size	Usage	Pack	Mils
	24x33	10 Gal	1000	.50 mil
	30x36	20-30 Gal	250	1.0 mil
	33x41	32 Gal	100	1.5 mil
	40x46	45 Gal	100	1.8 mil
	36x58	55 Gal	100	1.8 mil
	43x48	56 Gal	100	1.8 mil

HDPE -- high density polyethylene plastic

Manufacturer: Carlisle Plastics, Eco-choice brand or approved equal
Content: 30% post-consumer

	Size	Usage	Pack	Mils
	24x24	10 Gal	1000	.39 mil
	24x33	12-16 Gal	500	.55mil
	30x37	27 Gal	500	.50 mil
	33x40	33 Gal	250	.74 mil
	43x48	40 Gal	150	.86 mil
	40x48	44 Gal	200	.74 mil
	38x60	55 Gal	150	.74 mil

For More Information

Further information may be available through the following main menu selections:

King County Recycled Content Supply Contracts
Resources for Buyers
Standard Paragraphs for Contracts

Vendor Information

Current supplier: Aurora Plastics & Packaging WA (206)282-5551 (supplies Republic brand Bags)

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