Overview

The Amazon Basics 13 Gallon Tall Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags (200-Count) are designed as an everyday solution for standard kitchen cans. With a 13-gallon capacity, drawstring closure, and a formulation that incorporates post-consumer recycled material, these bags aim to balance practicality, durability, and a measure of eco-conscious design. Sold in a bulk 200-count box and typically positioned in the value segment at around $0.00 on Amazon, they are clearly targeted at busy households, offices, and shared spaces that go through trash bags quickly.

In this review, we’ll examine how these bags perform in real-world use—covering capacity, leak resistance, ease of tying and carrying, and overall value—so you can determine whether they’re the right fit for your kitchen.

Standout Features

13-Gallon Tall Kitchen Size

The bags are sized for standard 13-gallon tall kitchen trash cans, which are among the most common in U.S. homes. This makes them compatible with a wide variety of step cans and open-top kitchen bins.

• Designed to reach the bottom and rim of most tall kitchen cans.
• A good match for daily household waste, including packaging, food scraps in liners, and general trash.

Drawstring Closure

The red drawstring is one of the most practical aspects of these bags:

• Allows for quick cinching around the rim when the bag is full.
• Makes lifting and carrying bags to outdoor bins easier.
• Helps contain odors better than fold-over or flap-style bags when tied off tightly.

For users who regularly carry bags down hallways, stairs, or out to curbside bins, the drawstring handles are a meaningful convenience and help prevent accidental spills.

Post-Consumer Recycled Content

A notable feature is the use of 10% post-consumer recycled material in each bag:

• Uses plastic that has already been in the consumer waste stream and diverted from landfills.
• Offers a modest sustainability benefit compared with bags made from 100% virgin plastic.
• Strikes a compromise between eco-friendliness and maintaining sufficient strength for daily use.

While 10% recycled content is not a fully “green” solution, it’s a step up for shoppers who want an everyday bag with some environmental consideration without drastically changing their habits.

Bulk 200-Count Packaging

The product comes in a 200-count box, intended to reduce how often you need to restock:

• Ideal for households that generate a lot of kitchen trash or for small offices.
• Fewer trips to the store or fewer orders required over time.
• Generally improves per-bag value, particularly when purchased on Amazon at a competitive price like $0.00.

Supporting Features

Beyond the headlining traits, several supporting characteristics influence everyday satisfaction.

Unscented Formulation

The bags are unscented, which appeals to users who are sensitive to fragrances or who prefer that kitchen odors are controlled by regular emptying and separate odor-absorbing products rather than strong perfumes.

• No artificial fragrance to clash with cooking smells.
• Suitable for homes where someone has allergies or scent sensitivities.

Standard Gauge and Thickness

These bags are built as general-purpose kitchen liners:

• Thickness is tuned for mixed household waste rather than heavy-duty construction debris.
• Adequate for food scraps (especially when contained in smaller bags or containers), packaging, and typical kitchen refuse.
• Not intended for sharp, jagged, or extremely heavy items like broken glass, scrap metal, or dense yard waste.

Simple White Aesthetic

The bags are white with a contrasting red drawstring:

• Neutral look that feels clean and unobtrusive in most kitchens.
• Makes it easy to spot leaks or punctures if they occur.

Usability

Bag Fit and Installation

For most standard 13-gallon kitchen cans, these liners fit securely:

• The top opening is wide enough to wrap over the rim without straining.
• The drawstring channels give you a bit of extra material to stretch over the can.
• Removing the filled bag typically doesn’t require excessive tugging, assuming the can isn’t overpacked.

If your bin has a particularly wide rim or unusual proportions, there may be a learning curve in how tightly you pack the bag, but for common tall kitchen cans, fit is generally straightforward.

Everyday Handling

In day-to-day use, the drawstring and material design support a smooth workflow:

1. Lining the can: The bag goes in as a standard liner; slipping the top edge under the rim helps keep it in place.
2. Filling: For normal kitchen waste, the bag can be used until it’s close to the top of the can without sagging excessively.
3. Tying off: Once full, pulling both sides of the red drawstring cinches the top. A quick double-knot helps keep it secure.
4. Transporting: The reinforced drawstring channel functions as built-in handles for carrying to an outdoor bin or dumpster.

Storage and Dispensing

The 200-count quantity means you’ll likely store the box in a pantry, closet, or under-sink area for extended periods:

• The bags are usually folded or rolled in a way that allows single-bag dispensing.
• Lightweight construction means the box is easy to move, even when full.

Performance

Strength and Tear Resistance

For typical kitchen tasks, performance is reliable as long as the bags are used within their design scope:

• Handles everyday loads of food waste, plastic packaging, and paper products.
• Resistant to minor stretching as you pull the bag from the can.
• As with most non-heavy-duty liners, sharp edges (e.g., metal can lids, broken glass) can puncture the plastic—placing such items in a secondary container first is recommended.

Leak Resistance

The bottom seam is designed to hold liquids from incidental spills and food remnants:

• Works well for light to moderate moisture (like condensation, small liquid leaks from packaged items).
• For large amounts of liquid, it’s still best to drain or contain fluids separately before tossing them.

Odor Containment

Since the bags are unscented, odor control depends largely on how frequently you empty the trash and whether you use additional odor absorbers in your can.

• When cinched tightly, the drawstring closure helps limit odor escape.
• Not a substitute for regular emptying if you discard strong-smelling food waste.

Consistency and Quality Control

With 200 bags per box, consistency is important. In general, Amazon Basics tends to maintain uniform sizing and seam quality across the batch, though occasional minor defects (mis-cut drawstrings, slightly weak seams) can occur in any mass-produced product. For a value-oriented line, this level of consistency is typically acceptable, especially given the price point.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Standard 13-gallon capacity fits most tall kitchen cans.
• Convenient red drawstring for easy tying, lifting, and carrying.
• Includes 10% post-consumer recycled material, offering a moderate eco-conscious benefit.
• Unscented, suitable for scent-sensitive households.
• Bulk 200-count packaging means fewer restocks and strong per-bag value, particularly around $0.00.
• Neutral white color with visible puncture detection.

Cons

• Not designed for heavy-duty or construction debris; sharp or very heavy items can puncture or tear the bag.
• Limited odor masking since there is no added fragrance.
• Users seeking fully compostable or high-percentage recycled alternatives may find the 10% recycled content insufficient.
• Bulk box can take up more storage space in small apartments or cramped under-sink areas.

Summary

The Amazon Basics 13 Gallon Tall Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags (200-Count) provide a solid, no-frills option for everyday kitchen waste. Their 13-gallon size, reliable drawstring closure, and use of post-consumer recycled material make them a practical and slightly more sustainable choice than some conventional liners. While they’re not intended for heavy-duty tasks or users who need advanced odor control, they perform well for typical household trash at a competitive price point like $0.00.

If you want a dependable, unscented kitchen trash bag that fits standard cans, comes in a value-focused 200-count box, and incorporates some recycled material without sacrificing basic performance, this Amazon Basics option is a strong candidate for everyday use.