Gaylord liners
A liner is a poly bag that sits inside a gaylord, and a used box that will carry produce, resin or powders usually needs one to keep the product clean and the board dry.
What a liner does
A gaylord liner is a bag, often shaped like a sleeve or a box, that drops inside the box and holds the product. It keeps pellets from sifting through corners, powders from dusting out, and moist fruit from soaking the board. Liner makers sell them as gaylord liners, box liners or liner bags; the words overlap.
The liner is not the box and the box is not the liner. A strong liner in a weak box still fails when the walls bow. A strong box with no liner still leaks fine product through its seams. You often need both, and the pair is cheaper than one super-box.
Where liners earn their place
| Load | What the liner stops |
|---|---|
| Resin pellets and regrind | Loss through seams, contamination |
| Powders | Dust and sifting |
| Produce in used boxes | Contact with old board; moisture |
| Wet or oily parts | Soaking through the walls |
| Food-bank donations | Direct contact with used board |
A liner does not make a used box food-safe. It separates the food from the board, and the buyer's own food-safety rules still apply. The food contact guide says where we stop.
Matching size
A liner is cut to the box. Ask for the inside dimensions of the box, not just the footprint, because a 46 x 38 x 36 octagon has a different interior than a rectangular 48 x 40 x 36. A liner that is too short slips down and spills over the top. A liner that is too tall bunches in the corners and hangs over the rim.
Octagons need octagon-shaped liners or a loose fit that tucks neatly. Rectangular boxes take square-cornered ones. If the box has a lid or cap, leave enough tail to fold the liner closed under it. See lids and caps for what fits where.
Asking for them with boxes
You can ask for liners with a used-box request. Tell us the load, the box style and the inside size. We reply by email with what we can do. We do not post prices or minimums on this site.
If you are weighing a new box with a built-in advantage against a used one with a liner, put both quotes in the ticket and compare cost per trip.
Common liner problems and their causes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Liner tears at a corner | Too tight, or sharp product | Heavier film, looser fit |
| Product dusts out at the neck | Poor seal | Twist and tie or heat-seal |
| Liner slides down into the box | Too short | Bigger bag, taped to the rim |
| Moisture pools at the base | Product sweats | Vented liner or desiccant |
| Static clings to the film | Dry air, fine powder | Anti-static film |
Choosing the film
Liner film comes in thicknesses, measured in mils. Thin film is fine for dry, soft goods. Thicker film suits pellets, which can scuff and pierce thin plastic. Anti-static film is sold for fine powders. Food-contact film is a separate class, sold for that purpose by its makers, and its approval belongs to the film, not to the box around it.
Fit matters as much as thickness. A bag that is tight against a corner can burst when the weight settles. A bag with generous folds, tucked in at the corners, can take a load without stress. Ask for the dimensions in inches and match them to the inside of the box.
Sealing is the last step. Fold, twist and tie, heat-seal or tape the liner neck, depending on the load. Then fold the box flaps or set a lid. See lids.
Questions people ask
Do all gaylords need liners?
No. Packaged goods that do not leak or shed rarely need one.
Can liners be reused?
Treat a liner that held resin or food as single use unless you know the load is clean.
Are liners recyclable with the box?
No. Pull the liner before the box goes to the baler; plastic spoils a bale of OCC.
Sources
- Container Exchanger: the gaylord box guide, last reviewed November 11, 2026