That's a great question, and one that trips up a lot of people! Honestly, it can be a bit of a challenge, but it's definitely not impossible. The short answer is: it depends on how "specialty" your bin really is.
If you have a standard 32-gallon or 64-gallon wheeled cart provided by your city's waste service, finding bags is usually easy—they're sold at most hardware or home improvement stores. The real difficulty starts with non-standard sizes: extra-tall cans, slim designs, or bins with unique shapes from certain brands.
The main issue is fit. A bag that's too small won't cover the can's interior, leading to messes. One that's too large is wasteful and slips down. So, what can you do?
First, get precise. Grab a tape measure and note the can's height, top opening diameter, and bottom width. This is your gold standard for shopping. Check the manufacturer's website directly; many sell replacement bags or list the exact size specs. Online retailers like Amazon are fantastic for niche sizes—just search using your measurements (e.g., "44-gallon tall trash bags").
If ready-made options fail, consider universal drawstring bags that come in large dimensions—you can often gather and tie the excess. For a permanent solution, some companies make custom-fit bags, though they might have a minimum order.
So, is it difficult? It requires more legwork than buying standard bags. But with accurate measurements and targeted online searches, you can almost always find a workable solution. A little extra effort upfront saves you from the weekly frustration of ill-fitting bags!