GS-
    60

    Plastic Trash Bags and Can Liners

    Revision in Progress:Green Seal’s GS-60 Standard for Plastic Trash Bags and Can Liners recognizes products that reduce virgin plastic use. Green Seal is exploring potential revisions to our recognition model for environmental leadership, specifically how much virgin plastic is allowed in certified trash bags and can liners. To learn more or receive project updates, visit our  Standard P rojects page .

    WHAT GREEN SEAL CERTIFIES

    Green Seal’s GS-60 leadership standard means a trash bag or can liner minimizes plastic pollution and carbon emission while maintaining top product performance. It covers plastic trash bags and can liners for industrial and institutional use as well as those for household use. Download the full GS-60 standard.

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    Resources

    standard revisions

    Latest version:Edition 1.0, Issued on April 6, 2023

    Recent Changes:GS-60 underwent corrections and/or clarifications and was re-published on January 26, 2024. For details on the non-substantive changes made to this standard, please see the Standard Documents Library .

    The technical background, public feedback, and Green Seal’s Response to Comments can be seen in the Standard Documents Library.

    Green Seal has issued a recent exemption on the colorants titanium dioxide and carbon black. The final criteria and technical justification can be seen  here .

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    CRITERIA THAT HELP PRESERVE THE CLIMATE
    Plastic Efficiency Bags must show they use the least amount of virgin plastic for their gallon size; results in an average 37% reduction in plastic use compared to market average
    Energy Use Reporting Manufacturers must disclose the energy used in manufacturing a product
    RESTRICTIONS TO PREVENT ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS
    Carcinogens Cannot be intentionally added at any level
    Mutagens Cannot be intentionally added at any level
    Reproductive Toxins Cannot be intentionally added at any level
    Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Cannot be intentionally added at any level
    Toxic Release Inventory Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic Chemicals Cannot be intentionally added at any level
    Fragrances Cannot be intentionally added at any level
    Biocides and antimicrobials Cannot be intentionally added at any level
    Colorants Cannot contain intentionally added heavy metals
    Bisphenol A Must not be intentionally introduced to primary packaging
    Phthalates Cannot be intentionally added at any level to product and packaging
    Chlorinated Materials Cannot be intentionally added at any level to product and packaging
    Hexavalent Chromium Cannot be intentionally added at any level to product and packaging
    Lead Cannot be intentionally added at any level to product and packaging
    Mercury Cannot be intentionally added at any level to product and packaging
    Cadmium Cannot be intentionally added at any level to product and packaging
    CRITERIA THAT HELP ENSURE CLEAN WATER
    Many of the standard criteria for human health, minimizing waste, and preserving the climate also help ensure clean water:
    • Recycled plastic uses less water than virgin plastic production
    • Chemical prohibitions reduce risk of hazardous leaching from plastic in landfills to water sources
    • Source-reduction reduces plastic entering marine environments
    packaging and end-of-life management requirements
    Recycled Content Products thicker than 0.7 mil must contain 10% post-consumer material
    Certified Post-Consumer Material Products must demonstrate their post-consumer material is certified as such, and substantiate the amount they have in their product
    Plastic Packaging Must be either source-reduced, recyclable, contain at least 25% post-consumer material or be a refillable packaging with an effective take-back program
    Non-plastic Packaging Must be recyclable and contain at least 30% post-consumer material
    Recycling Labelling Plastic packages must be marked with the appropriate Resin Identification Code

    A GREEN YOU CAN TRUST

    All Green Seal-certified products must meet industry best practices for Quality and Safety.

    Fragrances

    Safety Data Sheets
    Our standards are referenced by the leading green building certification programs.
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