Key Points
- Rising naphtha prices — the primary raw material used to make garbage bags — are prompting a growing number of municipalities to raise prices or change specifications for designated garbage bags.
- Your municipality may have updated its designated bag requirements, so please check the latest official information.
- How to handle bags purchased under old specifications varies by municipality. Some allow a transition period where old and new bags can be used interchangeably; others accept only the new specification.
Background
Naphtha is a petrochemical feedstock refined from crude oil and serves as the raw material for polyethylene and many other types of garbage bags. Because its price fluctuates with crude oil prices and exchange rates, surges in naphtha costs drive up the procurement cost of designated garbage bags for municipalities.
Depending on the municipality, the following measures are being discussed or implemented:
- Revisions to the retail price of designated bags
- Changes to specifications (thickness, volume)
- Abolition of the designated bag system itself, or a shift to a paid disposal scheme
These decisions vary by municipality, and there is no single nationwide rule.
What Users Should Check
If you have a stockpile of designated bags purchased under previous specifications, we recommend confirming the following:
- Whether your municipality’s official website has posted any notice regarding designated bag changes or a transition period
- How long old-specification bags remain valid (many municipalities offer a transition period)
- If specifications have changed, whether additional marking is required on old bags
Related Information
- Check the rules for your municipality via the city-by-city guide
- For general guidance on how to dispose of garbage bags, see How to Dispose of Plastic Bags
Sources:
- Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry — Naphtha Price Trends (last checked: 2026-05-31)
- Ministry of the Environment — Container and Packaging Recycling System (last checked: 2026-05-31)
Note: This article summarizes general trends and does not make definitive claims about specific rule changes in any individual municipality. For the most current and accurate information, always check your municipality’s official website.