How does water-soluble packaging work?

Water-soluble packaging is made from PVOH (Polyvinyl Alcohol) film that dissolves completely in hot water above 60°C. Place the sealed bag directly into hot water or processing systems. The bag dissolves in 3 to 5 minutes, leaving no residue, microplastics or waste. The dissolved PVOH biodegrades into water, carbon dioxide and biomass.

Will water-soluble bags dissolve in rain or damp conditions?

No. PVOH requires sustained contact with water above 60°C to dissolve. Brief exposure to rain, spills or damp conditions will not trigger dissolution. The bags remain intact during normal handling, storage and transport. Cold water will not dissolve the bags.

How strong is water-soluble packaging compared to plastic?

PVOH film is 3 times stronger than LDPE plastic. The bags handle heavy loads, sharp items and rough handling without tearing. They provide reliable containment during collection, transport and storage before dissolution.

What applications use water-soluble packaging?

Healthcare facilities use water-soluble laundry bags for infection control. Commercial kitchens and food processors use dissolvable bin liners for organic waste digesters. Construction sites use flat bags for cement additives. Medical facilities use them for EO sterilisation. Retail stores use dissolvable singlet bags to eliminate plastic waste.

Is PVOH safe for food contact and healthcare use?

Yes. PVOH is non-toxic and safe for use in food packaging and healthcare applications. The material is used globally in pharmaceutical coatings, food packaging and medical applications. When dissolved, PVOH biodegrades completely without harmful residue.

Can water-soluble bags be composted at home?

No. PVOH bags require commercial composting facilities or industrial processing systems (digesters, washing machines) to break down properly. Home compost bins do not reach the temperatures or have the processing needed for PVOH decomposition. The bags are designed for hot water dissolution in commercial systems.

What happens if water-soluble bags end up in landfill?

PVOH bags biodegrade in landfill environments, breaking down into water, carbon dioxide and biomass. They do not persist as microplastics. Biodegradation rate depends on landfill moisture and microbial activity. However, the bags are designed for dissolution in processing systems, not landfill disposal.

Can I print custom branding on water-soluble bags?

Yes. Custom printing is available for large volume orders (typically 10,000+ bags). Bags can display logos, handling instructions, safety warnings or environmental messaging. Contact our team to discuss artwork specifications and minimum order quantities.

Water Soluble Packaging | Dissolvable Bags AU

Water Soluble Packaging

Water-soluble PVOH packaging dissolves completely in water, removing the need to handle contaminated contents. Zeropac's dissolvable range covers laundry bags, bin liners, singlet bags, gloves and carton liners for infection control in hospitals, aged care and laboratories. Made from PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol), these products are around three times stronger than...

Water-soluble PVOH packaging dissolves completely in water, removing the need to handle contaminated contents. Zeropac's dissolvable range covers laundry bags, bin liners, singlet bags, gloves and carton liners for infection control in hospitals, aged care and laboratories.

Made from PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol), these products are around three times stronger than standard plastic yet dissolve cleanly in water, leaving no microplastics and no toxic residue. Staff load soiled linen or waste straight into the wash or bin without contact, and all sizes are held in our Sydney warehouse for fast Australian delivery.

16 dissolvable products from singlet bags to 240 litre bin liners, including laundry bags, gloves and carton liners. See the table below for categories and best uses.

At a Glance

Size Range	Dimensions	Pack Size	Best For
Laundry Bags	840 x 660mm to 990 x 710mm	200-250/carton	Infectious and soiled linen handling
Bin Liners	73 to 240 Litre (920 to 1350mm)	150-250/carton	Infection-control waste bins
Singlet & Flat Bags	415 x 230mm to 530 x 350mm	500/carton	Contaminated items and transfers
Gloves & Carton Liners	270 x 235mm to 960 x 660mm	500-1,000/carton	Single-use handling and lined boxes

Perfect for: Hospitals and aged care facilities managing infectious linen and waste, laboratories handling contaminated items, and any operation reducing contact with soiled materials.

Product Details

Key Features+

Fully water-soluble PVOH dissolves cleanly in water with no microplastics or toxic residue.
Around three times stronger than standard plastic for confident handling before dissolving.
Hands-free infection control load soiled linen or waste without contact with contents.
Temperature-matched grades dissolve at the right wash or rinse temperature for each use.
Marine-safe and non-toxic breaks down without harming waterways.
5 year-plus shelf life stays stable in storage until you are ready to use it.
Wide product range laundry bags, bin liners, singlet bags, gloves and carton liners.
Clear identification printing colour-coded prints flag cytotoxic and infectious applications.

Why This Works for Healthcare, Aged Care and Laboratories+

For Healthcare and Aged Care

Soiled linen goes straight into the wash with no handling of contents.
Reduces cross-contamination and exposure for laundry and care staff.
Dissolvable bin liners contain infectious waste safely.
Supports infection-control protocols across wards and facilities.

For Laboratories and Cleanrooms

Contaminated items transfer without direct contact.
Dissolvable bags suit wash-down and processing workflows.
Clean breakdown leaves no plastic residue.
Consistent strength for reliable containment.

For Facility Managers and Procurement

One dissolvable range covers linen, waste and transfers.
Long shelf life simplifies stock holding.
Marine-safe materials support sustainability reporting.
Australian stock ensures reliable supply.

Use Cases+

Hospitals and Aged Care

Bagging infectious and soiled linen for laundering.
Lining waste bins in isolation and treatment areas.
Transferring contaminated items between areas.
Containing cytotoxic and chemo-related waste.

Laundries

Loading soiled linen directly into industrial washers.
Reducing manual sorting of contaminated items.
Dispenser-pack laundry bags for high turnover.

Laboratories

Transferring contaminated glassware and consumables.
Lining cartons and bins for controlled disposal.
Single-use gloves for handling tasks.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Details
Material	PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol)
Solubility	Fully water-soluble, no microplastics
Singlet bag dissolve temperature	60°C
Cytotoxic / hot-water grade dissolve	70°C
Bin liner and flat bag dissolve	50°C
Strength	Around 3x standard plastic film
Toxicity	Non-toxic and marine-safe
Shelf Life	5 years or more, stored correctly
Sizes	Singlet bags to 240 litre liners
Pack Quantities	150 to 1,000 per carton (varies by item)
Storage	Cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight
Recyclability	Dissolves in water; not for plastic recycling streams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is water-soluble PVOH packaging?+

It is packaging made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), a material that dissolves completely in water. It lets staff handle soiled linen and waste without touching the contents, then dissolves cleanly in the wash or with water, leaving no microplastics.

What temperature does the packaging dissolve at?+

It depends on the product. Singlet bags dissolve at 60°C, cytotoxic and hot-water grades at 70°C, and bin liners and flat bags at 50°C. Choose the grade matched to your wash or rinse temperature.

Is PVOH safe and non-toxic?+

Yes. PVOH is non-toxic and marine-safe, and it breaks down in water without leaving microplastics or harmful residue. It is widely used for infection control in healthcare and aged care.

What is the shelf life of water-soluble bags?+

Stored correctly in a cool, dry place away from moisture and direct sunlight, PVOH products have a shelf life of 5 years or more. PVOH shares the same long-term storage characteristics as conventional LDPE and HDPE film, so the products do not degrade with age and stay stable until you are ready to use them.

How does water-soluble packaging help infection control?+

Staff load soiled linen or waste straight into the bag, then place the sealed bag directly into the wash or bin without further handling. This removes contact with contaminated contents and reduces the risk of cross-contamination.

Will the bags dissolve in storage or from humidity?+

No. The bags stay stable in normal storage and only dissolve in water at their rated temperature. Keep them away from standing moisture and they will not degrade or dissolve prematurely.

How is the packaging disposed of?+

The bags dissolve in water during the wash or rinse process. They are designed to break down in water rather than go to plastic recycling streams.

Why Zeropac & Related Products

Why Zeropac

Consistent quality from a reliable supply chain.
Sydney warehouse stock for fast delivery across Australia.
Complete dissolvable range linen, waste, transfer and glove products in one place.
5 year-plus shelf life for confident stock holding.

Related Products

Dissolvable Laundry Bags - Water-soluble bags for infectious and soiled linen.
Dissolvable Bin Liners - PVOH liners for infection-control waste bins.
Dissolvable Singlet Bags - Water-soluble singlet bags for contaminated items.
Cytotoxic Waste Bags - Bags for chemotherapy and pharmaceutical waste.
Dissolvable Flat Bags & Box Liners - Flat bags and carton liners that dissolve in water.

Browse the full water-soluble range, all stocked in Sydney for fast Australian delivery. Need help matching a dissolve temperature to your workflow? Our team can advise on the right grade.

Request samples or contact our team to plan your infection-control packaging. Sydney orders dispatch within 48 hours for fast Australian delivery.

Water Soluble Cytotoxic Laundry Bag
Eliminate staff contact with cytotoxic-contaminated linen. This water soluble laundry bag is loaded at the bedside, sealed, and placed directly into the washing machine. It dissolves completely at 70°C. No manual sorting. No bag removal. No exposure to chemotherapy residue. Purple printing ensures instant...
Hot Water Soluble Laundry Bag Dispenser Pack
Stop laundry staff handling contaminated linen. This hot water soluble laundry bag is packaged for use with wall-mounted dispensers, putting bags at point of care where staff need them most. Load the linen, tie, and send it to the laundry. The bag dissolves at...
Dissolvable 80 Litre Bin Liner
Divert organic waste without the plastic. This dissolvable 80 litre bin liner fits standard large kitchen and service bins and dissolves completely at 60°C during processing. The liner and its contents go directly into the organic waste stream — no manual liner removal, no...
Dissolvable 120 Litre Bin Liner
Handle high-volume organic waste without the plastic. This dissolvable 120 litre bin liner fits large collection bins used in commercial kitchens, hospital food services, and aged care facilities. It dissolves completely at 60°C - liner and contents process together, no removal required, no plastic...
Medium Dissolvable Singlet Bag
Eliminate contact with contaminated linen and hazardous contents. This medium dissolvable singlet bag is loaded, tied by the handles, and goes directly into the wash or processing stream. It dissolves completely at 60°C. No bag removal. No manual contact with contents. No residue. The...
Large Dissolvable Singlet Bag
Handle high-volume linen and bulk industrial loads without staff contacting contents. This large dissolvable singlet bag is loaded, tied by the handles, and goes directly into the wash or processing stream. It dissolves completely at 60°C. No bag removal. No manual contact with contents....
Dissolvable 240 Litre Bin Liner
Run a plastic-free organic waste program at scale. This dissolvable 240 litre bin liner fits standard wheelie bins and large central collection bins used across hospital campuses, aged care facilities, and high-volume hospitality operations. It dissolves completely at 60°C - no liner removal, no...
Small Dissolvable Singlet Bag
Eliminate contact with contaminated linen and hazardous contents. This small dissolvable singlet bag is loaded, tied by the handles, and goes directly into the wash or processing stream. It dissolves completely at 60°C. No bag removal. No manual contact with contents. No residue. The...
Dissolvable 73 Litre Bin Liner
Divert organic waste without the plastic. This dissolvable 73 litre bin liner fits standard medium bins and dissolves completely at 60°C during processing. The liner and its contents go directly into the organic waste stream - no manual liner removal, no plastic contamination, no...
Dissolvable Carton Liner 960L X 660W
Eliminate plastic liner removal from your bulk ingredient workflow. This dissolvable carton liner sits inside a standard shipping carton, holds bulk dry or semi-dry ingredients, and dissolves completely at 60°C when the liner and contents are processed together. No manual unpacking. No plastic waste...
Dissolvable Flat Bag 530L X 350W
Stop workers handling chemical cement additives by hand. Pre-dose your additives into this dissolvable flat bag, seal it, and drop it directly into the concrete mixer. The bag dissolves at 40°C as the mixer runs - accurate dosing, no manual measuring, no chemical contact,...