Chapter 17: Tripartite General Orders

Subchapter A: Tripartite General Order No. 1 – Approval of Specifications for Paper Bags Used for Containing Uncompacted Refuse and Incinerator Residue; Approval of Specifications for Plastic Bags Used for Containing Uncompacted Refuse; and Approval of Specifications for Containers Used for Containing Compacted Refuse

§ 17-01 Statement of Policy and Intent.

To improve the environment and to improve refuse containment and collection operations, the use of paper bags for containing uncompacted refuse and incinerator residue should be permitted; the use of plastic bags for containing uncompacted refuse should be permitted and the use of containers for containing compacted refuse should be permitted. Accordingly pursuant to Local Law 11 of the Laws of 1971 and to 24 RCNY Health Code § 13-1.11, the Department of Sanitation and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, and the Department of Health hereby approve the specifications set forth in 24 RCNY § 17-02 below for paper bags for containing uncompacted refuse and incinerator residue; hereby approve the specifications set forth in 24 RCNY § 17-03 below for plastic bags for containing uncompacted refuse; and hereby approve the specifications set forth in 24 RCNY § 17-04 below for containers for containing compacted refuse.

§ 17-02 Specifications For Paper Bags Used For Containing Uncompacted Refuse and Incinerator Residue.

   (a)   Substance: Paper bags shall be fabricated from wet-strength kraft paper, wholly extensible or wholly non-extensible or equivalent.

   (b)   Strength: The non-extensible paper used to construct single-ply or multi-ply bags must have a nominal basis weight of 100 pounds per 500 sheets, each 24 inches by 36 inches, and a minimum basis weight of 95 pounds per 500 sheets, each 24 inches by 36 inches. The extensible or equivalent paper used to construct single-ply or multi-ply bags must have a nominal basis weight of 90 pounds per 500 sheets, each 24 inches by 36 inches, and a minimum basis weight of 85.5 pounds per 500 sheets, each 24 inches by 36 inches. Minimum tensile energy absorptions for dry and wet extensible or equivalent paper used in single and multi-ply bags are set forth in Table I.

Table I
Minimum Tensile Energy Absorption – Extensible 

 

	Dry	Wet
Cross Direction of Paper (Single-ply or Multi-ply)	9.3 ft.lb./sq.ft.	2.7 ft. lb./sq.ft.
Cross Direction Plus Machine Direction of Paper (Single-ply or Multi-ply)	30.8 ft. lb./sq.ft.	Not specified

 

Table II
Minimum Tensile Breaking Strengths – Non-Extensible 

 

	Dry	Wet
Cross Direction of Paper (Single-ply or Multi-ply)	34.0 lbs./in. width	9.0 lbs./in. width
Cross Direction Plus Machine Direction of Paper (Single-ply or Multi-ply)	95.0 lbs./in. width	Not specified

 

The method of testing for nominal and minimum basis weight shall be the Tappi Standard Method T-410 which shall be conducted in accordance with Section 4 of Federal Specification UU-S-48-E. Tensile breaking strength and tensile energy absorption tests shall be performed according to Tappi Standard Methods T-404, T-456, and T-494. Wet tensile breaking strength and tensile energy absorption are to be determined by using one inch width specimens that have been immersed in water for two hours at 73 degrees Fahrenheit +3.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

   (c)   Adhesives: Any Adhesive used for seams and closures must meet the water resistant requirements for Federal Specification UU-S-48-E.

   (d)   Any tape used on sewn ends of bags shall be 2 1/8 inches wide (1/8 inch minus tolerance unlimited plus tolerance) and shall be made from kraft paper having a nominal basis weight of not less than 70 pounds per 500 sheets each 24 inches by 36 inches.

   (e)   Thread: The strength of any stitching on the ends of sewn bags shall be not less than that of 12/5 cotton needle and 12/4 cotton looper thread or equivalent.

   (f)   Capacity: The usable capacity of bags shall not exceed four cubic feet. Measurement of capacity will be determined by the application of the following formula, applying the prescribed measurements of the unfilled bag.

      Cubic Foot Capacity = [T-0.4 (F+G)] [F+G)]
                  5425

   Where:   T = Inside Tube Length of Bag (in inches)
      F = Inside Face Width of Bag (in inches)
      G = Inside Gusset Width of Bag (in inches)

   No restrictions are made on bag dimensions provided that they do not deviate from the prescribed dimensions by more than the following tolerances:

      Width: ± 3/16 inch
      Bottom: ± 3/16 inch
      Length: ± 1/4 inch

   (g)   Labeling: On and after January 1, 1971, but prior to April 1, 1971, all bag packaging shall be labeled with an approved logo imprinted or pasted onto the principal panel of all such packaging. On or after April 1, 1971, each bag and all bag packaging shall be labeled with an approved logo marked and imprinted visibly, respectively, along the center of the face of such bag and on the principal display panel of all bag packaging. Such logo shall not be less than one square inch in size. Display of such logo on bags and all bag packaging shall be deemed the manufacturer's certification that such bags and all bags contained in such packages conform to these specifications and testing procedures. Each bag and all bag packaging shall have marked thereon the name and address of the principal place of business of the manufacturer or distributor of the same and a code identifying the date and location of bag manufacture. Each bag and retail package of bags shall be prominently marked with the words, "NOT LAWFUL FOR COMPACTED WASTE IN NEW YORK CITY", in block letters not less than 1/4 inch high.

§ 17-03 Specifications for Plastic Bags Used for Containing Uncompacted Refuse.

   (a)   Substance: The film from which plastic bags are constructed shall be manufactured from polyethylene or ethylene copolymer resin.

   (b)   Film Strength: The film used to fabricate plastic bags shall have a dart impact strength at folds and seals not less than 40 grams per 1.0 mil when tested in accordance with ASTM D 1709, Method A.

   (c)   Film Thickness: The gauge of the film used to fabricate plastic bags shall have an average of no less than 1.5 mils with a point-to-point variation not exceeding 20 percent.

   (d)   Film Flammability: The film used to construct plastic bags shall be capable of incineration under normal municipal incinerator practices.

   (e)   Bag Dimensions: From inside or seals, plastic bags shall have a minimum inside circumference of 40 inches and a minimum inside length of 22 inches and a maximum inside circumference of 60 1/2 inches and a maximum length of 37 1/2 inches.

   (f)   Heat Seal Strength: Any heat seal shall withstand a ten-minute tensile loading of 1 lb. inch of seal without failure in accordance with ASTM F 88-68.

   (g)   Slip Coefficient: Plastic bags shall be readily opened by hand and shall have a slip coefficient between 0.1 and 0.25 when tested in accordance with ASTM D 1894.

   (h)   Closures: Each package of plastic bags shall contain a number of tie closures (at least five inches in length) equal to the number of bags.

   (i)   Drop Resistance: Plastic bags shall be capable of withstanding a drop of five feet onto smooth concrete when filled with a material having weight density of twenty pounds per cubic foot, and when securely closed with a twist tie and when tested in accordance with the National Sanitation Foundation test method.

   (j)   Labeling: On and after January 1, 1971, but prior to April 1, 1971, all bag packaging shall be labeled with an approved logo imprinted or pasted onto the principal panel of all such packaging. On or after April 1, 1971, each bag and all bag packaging shall be labeled with an approved logo marked and imprinted visibly respectively, along the center of the face of such bag and on the principal display panel of all bag packaging. Such logo shall not be less than one square inch in size. Display of such logo on bags and all bag packaging shall be deemed the manufacturer's certification that such bags and all bags contained in such packages conform to these specifications and testing procedures. Each bag and all bag packaging shall have marked thereon the name and address of the principal place of business of the manufacturer or distributor of the same and a code identifying the date and location of bag manufacture. Each bag and retail package of bags shall be prominently marked with the words, "NOT LAWFUL FOR COMPACTED WASTE IN NEW YORK CITY", in block letters not less than 1/4 inch high.

   (k)   Plastic bags larger than the sizes specified in subdivision (e) above shall have an average of no less than 3.0 mils gauge with a point-to-point variation not exceeding ±20 percent and shall not exceed an inside circumference of 66 inches and an inside length of 48 inches. The bags exclusive of packaging and ties shall have a minimum weight of 210 pounds per 1,000 bags.

   (l)   Bag opacity: Plastic refuse bags shall be of high opacity with a minimum reading of 65% as determined by a hazemeter or recording spectrophotometer when tested in accordance with ASTM D 1003.