The global trash bags market size was valued at USD 11.2 billion in 2022. It is expected to reach USD 23.14 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period (2023–2031).
A trash bag, bin bag, rubbish bag, garbage bag, bin liner, trash bag, or reuse sack is a disposable bag used to store garbage and other solid waste. The primary function of trash bags is to contain and prevent leaks and spills of dry and wet litter. Use these bags to line the interior of your trash can and keep trash from sticking to the sides and bottom. They are made of polyethylene and come in various densities. Other names for them include trash bags, garbage bags, bin liners, etc.
Many kinds of trash bags are available on the market, including white, blue, red, and black. These bags are used for a variety of tasks in places like offices, restrooms, kitchens, and healthcare facilities. They offer an economical and efficient way to dispose of waste, minimize toxicity and aid in sanitation in hospitals, and may manage the stench from waste. The desire for effective garbage disposal is driving the industry, and as a result, the worldwide trash market is anticipated to grow.
Due to the enormous amount of waste produced by various end-user segments, including residential, commercial, and industrial, the rate of urbanization is accelerating across a variety of geographies, which is fueling the growth of the trash bag market. Various governments and municipalities in urban cities also implement proper waste collection and management. Most urban households store their household waste in smaller trash bags (dustbin bags), which are then collected by the appropriate waste collection agency and placed in a larger trash bag for proper disposal. Therefore, the market for trash bags is anticipated to experience significant growth in the forecast period due to rising disposable income levels among urban households and proper waste collection methods implemented by various urban municipalities to reduce the environmental impact.
In rural areas, household waste is commonly disposed of by openly dumping solid waste in backyard gardens or public places. Such improper disposal techniques pose environmental risks to human health and safety. When solid waste is disposed of incorrectly, it can cause several issues. For example, they can breed pathogenic microorganisms and disease vectors and annoy the public with their unkempt appearance and foul odor. They can also contaminate the area's soil, groundwater, and surface water. They may also increase the risk of fire, physical harm, and the effects of poisoning (from pesticides and insecticides). However, by using effective waste management techniques, these problems can be avoided. The market under study is anticipated to expand during the forecast period due to increasing awareness among most people regarding hygienic standards and appropriate waste disposal methods, such as trash bags.
Globally, plastic pollution is a problem. Studies show that plastics are bad for the environment. As a result, plastic waste bags are prohibited in several countries. Public understanding of the negative impacts of plastic has increased over the past ten years. Government campaigns and initiatives have raised public awareness. In recent years, plastic trash bag use has increased. The European Council announced in May 2019 new regulations to limit single-use plastics and set recycling goals. Regulations may affect the studied market. China announced in 2020 that it would ban non-biodegradable plastic bags in 2022 in all cities. All these rules requiring strict plastic use may hinder plastic trash bag growth in the coming years.
Compostable trash bags are becoming more widely used, increasing new market opportunities and growth. Creating a biodegradable or recyclable trash bag by the trash bag manufacturers will enable them to continue operating their businesses. Manufacturers are developing products that are more reliable, efficient, and practical. Additionally, an increase in strategic alliances and the emergence of new markets will act as market drivers and increase favorable prospects for the market's growth rate.
Study Period | 2019-2031 | CAGR | 8.4% |
Historical Period | 2019-2021 | Forecast Period | 2023-2031 |
Base Year | 2022 | Base Year Market Size | USD 11.2 Billion |
Forecast Year | 2031 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 23.14 Billion |
Largest Market | Asia Pacific | Fastest Growing Market | Europe |
By region, the global trash bags market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.
Asia-Pacific is the most significant revenue contributor and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.8% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific's market is expanding quickly. Some of the top trash bag consumers in the world, including China, Japan, South Korea, and India, are based in this region. To reduce pollution, China has announced a plan to ban or drastically reduce the production and use of environmentally harmful plastic products in the nation over the next five years. According to the document released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the government may gradually ban or restrict the production, sales, and use of some plastics while promoting their biodegradable, recyclable alternatives. The nation expects to successfully manage plastic pollution, reduce plastic waste in important cities' landfills, set up a comprehensive plastics management system, and advance the creation of alternative products by 2025. China might promote using non-plastic products and biodegradable shopping bags and initiatives to recycle and dispose of plastic waste.
Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% during the forecast period. The European Union works to ensure that all types of waste are locked and sealed in disposable bags after witnessing numerous garbage crises across European countries. People increasingly use trash bags due to changing lifestyles and the region's growing urbanization, forcing them to avoid the health risks associated with open dumping. The EU's waste management regulations have only sometimes favored garbage bags. The European Environment Agency established stringent regulations that limit the use of plastic or polythene trash bags, creating confusion among European citizens and local government officials regarding daily waste management. Additionally, over the past ten years, several landfills in the area have been closed, leading to garbage collector strikes.
In North America, one of the crucial factors that could increase the adoption of trash bags in the region over the forecast period is the growing initiatives by the government and regulatory bodies to promote their use. The City of Providence introduced the Overflow Trash Bag Program in December 2018 to encourage locals to use bags for extra waste and invite nearby businesses to participate in a contamination prevention program. Additionally, a 2019 NHCS survey and data from the U.S. Census suggested that 310.43 million Americans used plastic trash bags and trash can liners. According to the study, by 2023, the number is anticipated to rise to 320.49 million. Such occurrences signify that the trash bag market will expand during the forecast period.
Latin America one of the most urbanized regions in the world. The rising population in emerging economies is to blame for the rise in waste generation and the increasing consumption of trash bags. The World Bank estimates that Latin America and the Caribbean had a total population of about 646.43 million in 2019. With 211 million people expected to live there in 2019, Brazil was the most populous nation in Latin America, followed by Mexico, with close to 128 million people. Cities expand, and trash follows. According to a UN Environment 2018 report, a third of all waste produced in the towns in Latin America and the Caribbean ends up in open dumps or the environment, polluting the soil, air, and water and endangering the health of the populace. The estimated 567 million city dwellers in Latin America are predicted to generate 671,000 metric tons of trash per day by 2025, a 25% increase. According to Peru's former vice minister for environmental management, "the middle classes in Latin America have expanded and are becoming more and more affluent." The amount of waste produced per person is also rising rapidly.
The Middle East and Africa is a significant trash bag market. According to the UN DESA, the population of the Middle East and Africa region was approximately 484 million in 2018. It was anticipated that the population would rise to 581 million in 2030 and nearly double by 2050 to reach 724 million. The IMF estimates that Egypt had 96.98 million people living there as of 2018. The Middle East's rapid population growth, urbanization, and economic development are accelerating consumption and waste generation rates. Globally, more than 150 million metric tons of urban waste are expected to be generated annually. Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Bahrain are among the top ten countries in the world for producing the most solid waste per person.
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The global trash bags market is segmented by end-user.
Based on end-user, the global trash bags market is bifurcated into residential, commercial, and industrial.
The residential segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period. The market's residential segment has produced a sizable amount of waste. Trash bags have thus significantly penetrated the consumer market. The market's players are concentrating on developing cutting-edge products for domestic waste management, further accelerating the segment's growth. For example, Knectek Labs, a Canadian business, automated a frequently messy and unhygienic aspect of household waste collection in January 2020 with the Townew bin, which seals and changes its bags. The thermoplastic trash bag is heat-sealed. The closed bag is then removed by the user and disposed of, and the bin automatically adds a new one. The bags come from a refill unit that fits under the bin lid and holds up to 25 bags. Recyclable bag use spreads more widely across potential geographies, significantly impacting the segment's growth.
Some critical businesses in the commercial sector that account for a sizeable portion of the market under study include retail, convenience stores, health care, food service, hospitality, and office buildings. The National Retail Foundation (NRF) estimates that more than 1 million retail locations will be in the US by 2020. Since 2010, retail sales have increased by almost 4% yearly. According to the NRF reports, five other companies are opening retail stores for every retail company that closes one. Convenience stores are adding locations at a rate of 97%, while only 3% are completing. Similarly, there were more than 12 million retail grocery stores in India in 2020. It is anticipated that this retail sector's growth potential, despite competition from e-commerce firms, will present lucrative opportunities to boost demand and positively affect market expansion.