Glossary of Can Liner Terms

Resin is the basic raw material used to manufacture can liners. The two basic types of resin utilized today are high density and linear low density.

High Density Can Liners – the most economical of the basic types of plastic films. High density liners are thinner, yet offer three times the strength of linear low liners. It also takes less raw material to produce high density liners, making it the better choice for the Environment.

Linear Low Density Can Liners – the most versatile film used to produce institutional can liners. It has outstanding puncture and tear resistance properties.

Pre- and Post-Consumer Resins – made from industrial scrap that is a natural by-product of the manufacturing process. Recycling scrap prevents waste from going into our landfills. Post-Consumer resins are made from items recycled such as milk jugs, plastic films, and industrial scrap.

Gauge is a term used in the industry to describe the thickness of a can liner. Gauge is typically stated in either mil or micron. Low density liners are measured in mils and high density liners are measured in microns.

Micron (mic) is a metric unit of measurement. One millionth of a meter or one thousandth of a millimeter. One micron equals .00004 of an inch. High density can liners will range from 5 to 24 microns.

Mil is a measurement based on thousandth of an inch (.000). Linear Low density liners will range from .30 to 2.0 mil.