Office Waste

Most waste generated in oral healthcare settings is office waste.⁹ Office waste (i.e., common refuse and recyclable trash) is considered municipal waste. The standard methods of collecting, storing, transporting, and disposing of such wastes are regulated by state and/or local jurisdictions. Note that these rules may include mandatory requirements for recycling certain materials (e.g., newspapers, cardboards, plastics, glass containers, and aluminum cans).

There are no special requirements for the containment of office waste. The waste receptacle, lined with a plastic liner bag, should be of sufficient size and strength to accommodate the type and quantity of waste generated. Liner bags used for the containment of office waste may be clear, black, white, or gray. Liner bags may be made of low density (LD), linear low density (LLD), and high density (HD) polyethylene resins.^14-15

LD polyethylene resins are used to manufacture lower-end utility liners. LLD liners are more puncture, stretch, and tear resistant than HD liners, but have lower load capacity. LLD liners are used for the containment of rough or sharp trash. HD liners, while less puncture, stretch and tear resistant than LLD liners, are more temperature resistant and have a higher load capacity. HD liners are appropriate for the containment office waste without rough or sharp edges.

Gauge is the term used to describe the thickness of a liner. LLD liners are measured in mils, while HD liners are measured in microns. One mil is one thousandth of an inch (0.001 inches). One micron is one thousandth of a millimeter (0.001 mm). One mil is 25.4 microns. Common LLD liners range from 0.30 to 3.00 mils in thickness. Common HD liners range from 6 to 22 microns in thickness.

Liner bags must be (1) of sufficient thickness and durability, (2) puncture resistant, and (3) have sufficient burst strength to prevent rupture and leaks. However, film thickness alone is not enough to determine bag strength. Advanced polymer formulations have allowed manufacturers to produce thinner, lighter bags that are stronger than the traditional thicker bags. Appropriate bag strength for the type and quantity of waste is best determined by “strength” of the bag (Table 3).

Table 3. Strength of Liner Bags.¹⁴

HDPE Static Weight Performance			LLPDE Statice Weight Performance
Strength	Gauge	Weight	Strength	Gauge	Weight
Light	6.00 - 9.00 Mic	15 - 25 lbs	Light	0.30 - 0.49 Mil	10 - 20 lbs
Medium	10.00 – 12.00 Mic	26 – 50 lbs	Medium	0.50 – 0.60 Mil	21 – 30 lbs
Heavy	13.00 – 14.00 Mic	51 – 60 lbs	Heavy	0.61 – 0.74 Mil	13 – 40 lbs
Extra Heavy	15.00 – 17.00 Mic	61– 70 lbs	Extra Heavy	0.75 – 0.80 Mil	41 – 50 lbs
XX Heavy	18.00 – 20.00 Mic	71 – 80 lbs	Super Tuf	0.81 – 1.00 Mil	51 – 60 lbs
XXX Heavy	21.00 – 22.00 Mic	81 – 90 lbs	Super Heavy	1.10 – 1.20 Mil	61 – 65 lbs
			XX Heavy	1.30 – 1.90 Mil	66 – 70 lbs	XXX Heavy	2.00 – 3.00 Mil	71 – 75 lbs
HDPE Gauge Equivalents and Recommendations
Small Cans		Mid-Size Cans		Larger Cans
Light: 6.00 - 9.00 Mic		Medium: 10.00 - 12.00 Mic		Extra Heavy 15:00 - 17.00 Mic
		Heavy: 13:00 - 14:00 Mic		XX Heavy: 18:00 - 22.00 Mic
LLDPE Gauge Equivalents and Recommendations
Small Cans		Mid-Size Cans		Larger Cans
Light: 0.30 - .049 Mil		Heavy: 0.61 - .74.00 Mil		Super Heavy: 1.10 - 1.20 Mil
Medium: 0.50 - 0.60 Mil		Extra Heavy: 0.75 - 0.80 Mil		XX Heavy: 1.30 - 1.90 Mil
		Super Tuf: 0.30 - 0.49 Mil		XXX Heavy: 2.00 - 3.00 Mil

The bottoms of liner bags may be sealed by star, flat, or gusseted seal methods. The “star seal” is the most common design; it eliminates gaps along the seal and is virtually leak-proof (Figure 3). The star seal also allows the bag to more easily conform to the shape of the container, distributing the weight of the refuse more evenly and, therefore, maximizes the bag’s carrying capacity. Star seal liners are sized in two dimensions, EX: 40 x 46 inches.¹⁴

Figure 3. The “Star Seal” Design.

The “flat seal” design is a straight seal along the bottom of the liner bag, which results in a 2-dimentional bag with a bottom seal, much like a pillow case (Figure 4). Although flat seals are strong, they have a tendency to leak wet trash from the corners. They are also clumsy to handle and they do not conform well to the shape of most trash receptacles. Flat seal liner bags are also sized in two dimensions, EX: 40 x 46 inches.¹⁴

Figure 4. The “Flat Seal” Design.

The least common method to seal the bottom of liner bags is the “gusset seal.” It is obtained by tucking in both sides of the bag to form gussets (Figure 5). Where indented, it has to be sealed through four layers of film while the middle of the bottom has only two sealed layers. This leads to an inherently weak bottom seal and the bags have the tendency to leak wet trash from the center at gusset points. Gusset seal liners are sized in three dimensions, EX: 23 x 17 x 46.¹⁴

Figure 5. The “Gusset Seal” Design.

Finally, the receptacle must be matched with a liner bag of appropriate size to ensure (1) a snug fit, (2) correct length, and (3) proper overhang (Figure 6). To determine the width of the liner, measure the outer circumference of the receptacle and divide it by two. To determine the length of the liner, measure the height of the receptacle, add ½ of the diameter or ½ of the diagonal of the container, plus 3 inches for overhang.¹⁵

Figure 6.

The shape and dimensions of the receptacle determine the width and height of the container liner.

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