I buy these bags to use on my counter top in the 'garbage bowl' that I use while I chop and cook. They are heavy enough to contain the contents and especially the smell. I can fold over the top and stop the smell, and once a day I collect all the bit of detritus from the apartment and out it goes the R bag. If we had a compost container, I would sort a little better but it is nice to take out the garbage, sharing an elevator, and not have people groan with the smell.