DRAFT TANZANIA STANDARD  
 
 
 
TBS/ GTDC4 ( 6323) P 3-Garbage bags -Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
©TBS 2020      1st  Editio n
 
 
 1 Scope  
 
This Draft Tanzania standard specifies the general characteristics, requirements and t est methods for 
garbage bags  made from thermoplastic materials  containing  a minimum of 10% of postconsumer 
recyclate that ensures fitness for purpose and which can be handled without additional suppo rt when 
they are filled . 
 
 
2.Normative references  
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content 
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For 
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) 
applies.  
ASTM – D2103 -15 Standard Specification for Polyethylene Film and Sheeting  
 
ASTM – D1709 -16a Standard Test Methods for Impact Resistance of Plastic Film b y The Free -
Falling Dart Method  
 
ASTM – D1922 -15 Standard Test Method for Propagation Tear Resistance of Plastic Film and 
Thin Sheeting by Pendulum Method  
 
IS 2508 -1984 Specification for low density polyethylene film . 
 
     IS 12395:1988 Specifica tion For Disposable Trash Bags Of Plastics  
 
3.Terms and definition  
For the purpose of this standard, the following definitions shall apply:  
 
3.1 Garbage bag  
 
open mouthed bag that is primarily used for storage and transport of refuse  
 
3.2Nominal Length  
 
 length of the bag from its top to the uppermost part of the heat seal at thebottom excluding the width 
of the heat seal and any surplus material beyond the sealed area  
 
3.3Nominal Width  
 
 effective width of the bag with gus sets extended where applicable  
 
3.4Nominal Thickness  
 
 average t hickness of the wall of the bag  
 
3.5 Plastic  film 
 
 continuous, thin, non -woven membranous skin, or layer of flexible mater ial, made of plastic materials  
 
4. Types  
Bags covered by this specification shall be of the following type ; 
a) Type I — Low Density or Linear Low-Density  polyethylene bags  for general use.  
  
 
 b) Type II — High Density polyethylene bags for general use . 
 
c) Type III — Low Density or Linear Low-Density  polyethylene bags for disposal of   
biohazardous materials . 
 
5. Requirements  
 
5.1 General requirements  
 
5.1.1The bags  shall have good workmanship, the  bags shall be uniformly constructed, free from sharp 
creases, crinkles and other defects th at will affect serviceability  and impair the performance of the  
bags . 
5.1.2The seam shall be uniform, straight, continuous, and free from gaps and creases . 
5.1.3 The bags used for unique needs and applications like medical waste bags and others shall be 
marked with  universal biohazards symbol .  
5.1.4 Colo ur and opacity  
The colo ur and level of opacity of the package  shall be as agreed to between the purchaser a nd the 
supplier.  
5.1.5 Ease of opening  
Perforation at open end shall be clean so that bag can be readily opened by ha nd without crimping or 
sticking.  
 
5.1.6 Odour  
The bag shall be constructed in a manner that will not allow odo urs or contents to escape when 
properly closed.  
5.1.7 Material  
 
5.1.7.1 Material shall be formulated from polyethylene containing octene, butene or hexene type 
copolymer resins with a minimum of 10 % pre-consumer or post -consumer reprocessed copolymer .  
 
5.1.7.2The material shall conform to the requirements of tensile strength  at break, elongation  at break 
and impact resistance  as given in IS2508 -1984 'Specification for low density polyethylene film (second 
revision).  
 
5.1.7.3 No additives shall be included to the polyethylene that decrease the stability, storage or  use 
requirements of the garbage bag.  
 
5.1.7.4 Material used for product shall be recyclable or biodegradable.  
 
 
6.Dimensions  
 
6.1 Length - The nominal length of the bag shall be agreed between the supplier and purchaser . The  
tolerance on the nominal length shall be ± 2.6 percent.  
 
6.2 Width - The nominal widt h of the bag shall be agreed between the supplier and purchaser . The 
tolerance on the nominal width shall be ± 2.5 percent.  
 
6.3 The bottom seal dimensions from the outside edges of bag to the inside of the seam shall be 25 
mm maximum.    
 
 6.4 The bottom seal dimension from the outside edge of the bag to outside of the seam shall be 5 mm 
minimum.  
6.6Thickness  
 
6.6.1 The minimum thickness  when determined by the method  described in  Annex E  shall be 30 
microns .  
 
 6.6.2 The spot thickness shall be not less than the nominal thickness minus 10 percent.  
 
 
7. Specific  Requirement s. 
 
7.1 Resistance to Drop Impact  
 
 Ten bags shall be tested from each consignment or lot in accordance with ISO 7765 -1: 1988  or the  
method given in Annex  A ,No split or tear exceeding 50 mm in length shall occur in more  than one of 
the ten bags tested.  
 
7.2 Resistance to leakage  
 
When tested in accordance with method given in Annex  C, not more than one defectiv e bag shall be 
permitted out of 10 bags.  
7.3 Heat seals  
All heat seals on the garbage bag shall be continuous.  
NOTE -Bags can be either side sealed or bottom sealed. Side sealed bags have a continuous 
heat seal along the entire length of the two ends of t he bag. Bottom sealed bags have a 
continuous heat seal along the entire length of the bottom of the bag.  
7.3.1 Heat seals shall withstand the application of a 9.8 N force for a period of 10 min when tested in 
accordance with Annex D . 
 
7.4 Density  
 
Density requirements are given in Table 1.  
 
Table 1 - density requirements  
 
Type  Load duty  Density  
(gram/cc)  
when tested in accordance with ASTM D792 -13 
I Light   
0.915 – 0.923  Medium  
Heavy  
II Light   
0.94-0.965  
 Medium  
Heavy  
III Medium   
0.92(Minimum ) Heavy   
 
  
8.Marki ng 
 
The packaging and accompanying documents shall be marked with the followingInformation:  
 
a) Name of the product “Garbage bag/ Mfuko  wa kubebea Taka”  
b) Thickness of the polyethylene film;  
c) Colour of the bag , if other than black ; 
d) Length of the bag;  
e) Width of the bag;  
f) Carrying capacity  (volume and weight) ; 
g) Type of the bag supplied ; 
h) Packages for biohazardous bags shall also be marked ac cordingly to the 
specifications  here in. 
9.Sampling and Criteria for Conformity  
 
9.1Lot-In any consignment, all the trash bags produced from the  same raw material at one time s hall 
be grouped together to constitute a lot,  
 
9.1.1Scale of sampling - For ascertaining the conformity of the lot to the requirements of th is 
standard, tes ts shall be carried out on bags from each lot separatel y. The number of bags to be 
sampled from a lot shall be chosen in accordance with Table 2. 
 
 
Table 2 -Scale of sampling and criteria  for conformity (clauses 9.1.1  and 9.2.1) 
 
Lot Size  Sample Size  Acceptance Number  of Defective  
Up to  300 
301 to 5 00 
501 to 1000  
1 001 and above  8 
13 
20 
32 
 0 
1 
1 
2 
 
 
9.1.2The bags shall be selected at random from the lot and in order to ensure the randomness of  
selection, the procedure given in IS  4905 -1968 'Methods for random sampling , may be followed.  
 
9.2 Criteria  for Conformity  
 
9.2.1The sample bags selected in accordance with Table 2 shall be examined visually and 
fordimensions and thickness tests. Any bag failing in anyone or more of t he requirements shall be 
termed as defective . The lot shall be accepted if the number of defective bag s in the sample does not 
exceed the acceptance number given in Table 2. 
 
9.2.2A lot of 10 bags as given in the 'Test Method' (7.1)shall be drawn from the lot and s hall be  
subjected to the test, Samples shall pa ss the test for acceptance of the lot in respect of drop Impact  
test. 
 
 
  
 
  
ANNE X A 
 
(Clause 7.1) 
 
RESISTANCE TO DROP IMPACT TEST  
 
A-1. Fill each bag with wet wood shavings of dry bulk density between 128 kg/ml and 114 kg/ml to 
three -quarters length of the bag. Add water until the mass of the content s amounts to a corres pond ing 
bulk density of 200 kg/ml.  
 
A-2. Exc lude excess air from the bag without c ompressing the contents and close the bag just  above  
the contents, in such a way that the failure of this closure  cann ot take place during drop testing.  
 
A-3. Drop  the bag once on to its butt end from a height of 1 .5 m on to a clear, flat concrete surface.  
 
A-4. Test ten bags from each consignment  and examine each beg for splitsor tea rs. 
 
ANNE X B 
 
MEASUREMENT OF DIMENSIONS  
 
(Clause 6.1 and 6.2) 
 
B.1 Apparatus  
 
B.1.1Rule , capable of measuring lengths to an accuracy of 1 mm.  
 
B.1.2  Micrometre . 
 
B.2 Nominal  length  
 
B.2.1 With the bag lying flat, measure internally the nominal length along the two edges from the top  
(opening) of the bag to the bottom seam, or to the bottom of the bag for bags without a bottom  
seam.  
 
B.2.2 The nominal  length is the arithmetic mean of the two measurements, expressed in millimetres 
(mm).  
 
B.3 Nominal  width  
 
B.3.1In the case of bags with gussets, cut the bottom seam and unfold the gussets.  
B.3.2Measure the nominal  width at mid -length between the top and the bottom of the bags. The 
nominal  width is expressed in millimetres (mm).  
B.3.3In the case of bags with edge seams, the nominal  width sh all be measured between the inner 
sides of the seams.  
 
 
  
 
 ANNE X C 
 
RESISTANCE TO LEAKAGE  
(Clause 7.2) 
C.2 Apparatus  
C.2.1 Adequate spill tray . 
C.2.2 Wire/plastic tie , for closure.  
C.2.3 Tap water . 
C.2.4 Wet mixture , prepared with one volume of tap water and  one volume of wood sawdust.  
Volumes of water and wet mixture for testing are given in table 2.  
Table 3 — Volume of materials for testing  
1 2 3 4 
Material  Volume  (Litres) L 
Tap water  W ≤ 400 and L ≤ 500 400 < W ≤ 520 and  
500 < L ≤ 700 W > 520 and L > 700  
1 3 6 
Mixture of water 
and 
sawdust (50/50 in  
volume)  1 3 6 
 
Test procedure  
 
C.2.3.1 General  
 
When bags are supplied with a draw string sealed to the bag, do not remove the draw string before  
performing this test.  
 
C.2.3.2 Step 1  
Put 1 L, 3 L or 6 L of water, as applicable (see table 2), in the bag under test. Bunch -tie the top with  
a wire/plastic tie. Suspend the bag by the top over the spill tray.  
Monitor the bag for 5 min for any evidence of leaking. Count the number of drops, n, if any,  
escaping from  the bag in 1 min.  
 
If n is less than, or equal to 20, the bag passes the test and is declared compliant . 
 
If n is greater than 20, proceed with the second step, using the same bag.  
 
C.2.3.3 Step 2  
 
Prepare 1 L, 3 L or 6 L as applicable (see table 2) of a  mixture of 50% water and 50% sawdust. Put  
the mixture in the bag. Bunch -tie the top with a wire/plastic tie and suspend the bag by the top over  
the spill  trays . 
 
Monitor the bag for 5 min for any evidence of leaking. Count the number of drops, n, if any,  
escaping from the bag in 1 min.  
 
If n is less than or equal to 20, the bag passes the  test and is declared compliant . 
 
If n is greater than 20 or if all water escaped during the first 5 min, the batch is declared noncompliant .  
 
  
ANNE X D 
 
HEAT SEAL TEST  
(Clause 7.3) 
D.1 General  
This annex sets out a method for determining the resistance of the garbage bag heat seal to a tensile 
force.  
D.2 Apparatus  
 
D.2.1The  following equipment is required : 
a. a matched set of clamping support jaws, suitably finished, to ensure that the film is 
adequately supported without being damaged;  
b. a matched set of suitably finished lower jaws from which a weight may be suspended; and  
c. one weight with a means of suspension such that when added to the lower jaw assembly the 
total mass is 1.00 kg ± 0.05 kg.  
D.2.2Alternatively, a universal testing tensile machine with pneumatic action grips which satisfies the 
requirements of ASTM F 88: 2007  may also be used . 
 
D.3Test specimen preparation  
Garbage bag samples are selected from the lot in accordance with 7.1and are prepared in the 
following manner:  
a. three equally interspaced 25.0 mm ± 0.2 mm wide test specimens are cut from a bag;  
b. the specimens are as shown in Figure 1, cut across the seal suc h that the seal is 
perpendicular to the long axis of the test specimen; and  
c. the total length of each test specimen is not more than 150 mm and the seal is situated 75 
mm from either end.   
 
  
Figure 1 - Heat seal test specimen  
D.4 Procedure  
D.4.1The test procedure using clamps is as follows:  
a. one end of the specimen is clamped between the support jaws such that the remainder of the 
specimen is firmly suspended with the seal in a horizontal position, 20 mm to 25 mm below 
the jaws;  
b. the second set of clamping jaws is freely suspended with the weight attached from the other 
end of the film sample and 25 mm to 50 mm below the seal; and  
c. if after 10 min in this position the seal is still intact, the test specimen is deemed to have 
passed.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ANNEX E  
 
(Clause 6.6) 
DETERMINATION OF THICKNESS  
E-1 APPARATUS  
 
E-1.1A dead weight dial micrometer with a flat anvil of 6 mm diameter or larger in area and 4.8 mm 
diameterflat surface on the head of the spindle or a spring dial micrometer (dial thickness gauge) 
which has been calibrated against a dead weight dial micrometer shall be used. In case of dispute, 
only dead weight dial micrometer shall be used and the reading shall be taken between 15 s and 2 
min after the load is applied . 
 
E-2 SPECIMENS  
 
Test five spe cimens, at least 5 × 5 cm2 in area, taken uniformly across the width of the test piece.  
 
E-3 PROCEDURE  
 
a. Dry and clean the surface of the anvil and spindle head, and of the specimen.  
b. Place the specimen onthe anvil and lower the spindle head on to it slowly. The total load 
applied by the spindle shall be 110 g.  
c. Make one measurement on each specimen approximately at the centre of the specimen.  
d. Take mean of the measurements of all the s pecimens of a sample to obtain the average 
thickness of the sample.  
 
E-4 ACCURACY  
 
This method is capable of producing measure ments with a maximum error of + 0.000 25 cm . 
 
 
ANNEX F  
 
(Informative)  
 
(Clause 5.1.4 ) 
 
COLOUR AND MEANINGS  
 
F.1 The garbage bag s are of four (4) colours as follows;  
 
a) Black garbage bag sfor general use.  
b) Green garbage bag s for glass waste . 
c) Yellow garbage bags for infectious wastes and shall have universal Biohazard  
symbol with the wording “ÍNFECTIOUS WASTE” ( Biohazard).  
d) Red garbage bags  for Anatomical/Pathological waste (Biomedical)  shall have the 
universal Biohazard symbol with the wording “Anatomical/Pathological waste ” 
(Biomedical).