Best Garbage Bag Value in Canada (August 2026 Comparison)
Garbage bag packages can be difficult to compare because brands use different bag counts, capacities, closures, thicknesses, and descriptions such as regular, strong, heavy duty, or outdoor.
We compared regular household garbage bags with capacities of approximately 74 to 75 litres. We also included a separate Costco club-size benchmark because its Kirkland package contains larger 113-litre bags and is not an exact like-for-like comparison.
Prices were checked online on August 6, 2026, using selected British Columbia locations. Prices, promotions, membership requirements, and availability may vary.
What We Compared
For the main comparison, we looked for regular household garbage bags with a capacity of approximately 74 to 75 litres.
Package counts differ, so the lowest total package price is not necessarily the best deal. We calculated the price per individual bag to make the differences easier to see.
The products are not identical in thickness, scent, closure style, or strength, but they are reasonably comparable options for everyday household garbage.
Costco’s Kirkland bags are shown separately because they hold approximately 113 litres. They are substantially larger than the other products and require a Costco membership.
Current Garbage Bag Prices
| Store | Product | Package | Current price | Price per bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safeway | Hefty Strong Regular Easy Flap Garbage Bags | 30 bags, approximately 75 L | $6.99 sale | $0.23 |
| Real Canadian Superstore | Hefty Strong Easy Flaps Regular Garbage Bags | 30 bags, 75 L | $7.99 | $0.27 |
| Walmart | Glad Black Regular Garbage Bags | 40 bags, 74 L | $12.97 | $0.32 |
| Save-On-Foods | Western Family Strong Regular Garbage Bags | 40 bags, 74 L | $13.29 | $0.33 |
Safeway currently has both the lowest package price and the lowest calculated price per bag in the directly comparable 74–75 L group. Its 30-count Hefty package was listed at $6.99, reduced from $8.29, or approximately $0.23 per bag.
Real Canadian Superstore is the next-lowest option at approximately $0.27 per bag. Walmart’s 40-count Glad package works out to approximately $0.32 per bag at the selected price, while Save-On-Foods’ Western Family package costs approximately $0.33 per bag.
Costco Club-Size Benchmark
| Store | Product | Package | Current price | Price per bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Costco Same-Day | Kirkland Signature Large Garbage Bags | 100 bags, approximately 113 L | $17.01 | $0.17 |
Costco’s Kirkland Signature package has the lowest price per bag at approximately $0.17. However, these bags are much larger than the 74–75 L products in the main comparison, so this is not an exact like-for-like result.
The Kirkland package contains 100 black bags measuring approximately 30 × 35.5 inches, with a thickness of 1.2 mil. Costco identifies its comparable large bags as approximately 113 litres. The $17.01 price is a Costco Same-Day price and may differ from the warehouse shelf price. A Costco membership is also required.
For households that need larger bags, have storage space, and already hold a Costco membership, the Kirkland package may provide the strongest overall unit value. Shoppers who need standard 74–75 L bags should use the main comparison instead.
Best Value Among Comparable Bags
Safeway currently offers the lowest calculated unit price among the directly comparable 74–75 L bags.
The Hefty Strong Regular package contains 30 bags and was listed at $6.99. That works out to approximately $0.23 per bag.
Because this is a promotional price, shoppers should check the current price and sale dates before purchasing. At its listed regular price of $8.29, the package would cost approximately $0.28 per bag.
Best Club-Size Value
Costco currently has the lowest price per bag at approximately $0.17 for its 100-count Kirkland Signature package.
However, each bag has a capacity of approximately 113 litres, making it larger than the standard bags included in the main comparison.
The Costco option may be most useful for households that:
- Already have a Costco membership
- Need larger-capacity garbage bags
- Have enough storage for 100 bags
- Prefer buying household supplies in bulk
- Can use the full package over time
Best Regular-Price Alternative
Real Canadian Superstore currently lists a comparable 30-count Hefty package at $7.99.
That works out to approximately $0.27 per bag. This is only about four cents more per bag than Safeway’s current promotional price and may be a practical alternative when the Safeway sale ends.
Lowest Upfront Price
Safeway has the lowest amount to pay at checkout in this comparison at $6.99.
Real Canadian Superstore is close behind at $7.99. The Walmart and Save-On-Foods packages cost more upfront because each contains 40 bags rather than 30.
Costco has the highest total package price at $17.01 but also contains 100 substantially larger bags.
A larger package may last longer, but the package with the greatest number of bags is not automatically the best option for every household.
What About Canadian Tire?
Canadian Tire sells directly comparable 74 L regular garbage bags, including a 40-count Glad Easy-Tie package and a 40-count Simplicité package. However, Canadian Tire pricing and availability depend on the selected store, and a reliable current price for the selected BC location was not available during this check.
Rather than publish an uncertain price, Canadian Tire was not ranked in the main table.
Shoppers should still check their nearest Canadian Tire store. If the 40-count package is priced below approximately $9.20, it would beat Safeway’s current price of about $0.23 per bag. If it is below $10.80, it would beat Superstore’s approximately $0.27-per-bag result.
Does Package Size Affect the Deal?
Walmart and Save-On-Foods each offer 40-count packages, compared with 30 bags at Safeway and Superstore.
However, the larger packages cost more per bag in this comparison:
- Safeway: approximately $0.23 per bag
- Real Canadian Superstore: approximately $0.27 per bag
- Walmart: approximately $0.32 per bag
- Save-On-Foods: approximately $0.33 per bag
Costco costs approximately $0.17 per bag, but those bags are larger and sold in a 100-count membership package.
The number of bags in the package is only one part of the comparison. Capacity, thickness, closure style, storage needs, and membership requirements also matter.
Why Garbage Bag Prices Vary
Garbage bag prices can differ based on:
- Bag capacity
- Plastic thickness
- Closure style
- Drawstrings or tie flaps
- Odour-control features
- Scent
- Recycled content
- Brand
- Package count
- Store membership requirements
- Current promotions
A stronger or thicker bag may cost more but could be worthwhile if cheaper bags frequently tear or leak.
Are Store Brands Always Cheaper?
Store brands often provide strong value, but they are not automatically the cheapest option.
In this comparison, Safeway’s promotional price on a national-brand Hefty product is lower per bag than the Western Family store-brand option at Save-On-Foods.
Costco’s Kirkland store brand has the lowest price per bag overall, but it comes in a much larger 100-count package and uses larger-capacity bags.
This shows why shoppers should compare the current unit price rather than assuming that a store brand, national brand, or larger package always offers the best deal.
Does Bag Strength Matter?
The lowest-priced bag may not be the best value if it frequently tears, leaks, or requires two bags for one load.
For ordinary household garbage, a regular-strength bag may be sufficient. Heavier garbage, sharp packaging, yard waste, or renovation debris may require a thicker or heavy-duty bag.
Using the least expensive bag that reliably handles the intended job will usually provide the best practical value.
Tips for Paying Less for Garbage Bags
- Compare the price per bag rather than only the package price.
- Compare bags with a similar litre capacity.
- Check whether a sale price is temporary.
- Compare store brands with national brands.
- Include Costco and Canadian Tire when checking local prices.
- Consider membership costs before choosing a club-size package.
- Avoid paying extra for scented or odour-control features unless they are useful.
- Match the bag strength to the type of waste.
- Buy larger packages only when the unit price is actually lower.
- Check loyalty offers, digital coupons, and multi-buy promotions.
- Avoid using two weak bags when one stronger bag would work.
Is the Largest Package Always the Best Deal?
No. A larger package offers better value only when its unit price is lower and the bags suit your needs.
Costco’s 100-count package has the lowest price per bag, but it requires more storage, a membership, and a larger upfront purchase.
The 40-count Walmart and Save-On-Foods packages cost more per bag than the smaller 30-count packages at Safeway and Superstore.
Large packages can still be convenient because they require less frequent purchasing, but convenience and practical value are not always the same thing.
How Much Could the Difference Add Up To?
The difference between the current Safeway price and the Save-On-Foods price is approximately ten cents per bag.
A household using one garbage bag per day could save roughly $36 per year by consistently purchasing at the lower unit price, assuming the prices remained unchanged.
Compared with Safeway, Costco’s approximate six-cent saving per bag could equal about $22 per year at one bag per day. However, this is not a direct comparison because Costco’s bags are substantially larger.
Actual savings will depend on the bags your household needs, how frequently they are used, and whether the current prices remain available.
Bottom Line
For the selected BC locations checked, Costco has the lowest price per bag at approximately $0.17 for a 100-count package of large Kirkland Signature bags. However, these are approximately 113 L bags, require a membership, and are not directly comparable with standard 74–75 L bags.
Among the directly comparable options, Safeway currently offers the lowest calculated price at approximately $0.23 per bag for a 30-count package of Hefty Strong Regular garbage bags.
Real Canadian Superstore is the next-lowest option at approximately $0.27 per bag.
Walmart works out to approximately $0.32 per bag, while Save-On-Foods is the highest in the main comparison at approximately $0.33 per bag.
Canadian Tire carries comparable 74 L packages, but it was not ranked because a reliable current selected-location price was not available during the check.
The best way to compare garbage bags is to look at the price per bag while also considering capacity, strength, package size, storage, and membership requirements.
Prices were checked online on August 6, 2026. Prices, promotions, package details, availability, membership requirements, taxes, and online versus in-store pricing may vary by retailer and location.
