Water-soluble packaging dissolves completely in water, so staff never handle contaminated contents. Made from PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol), Zeropac's dissolvable range lets hospitals, aged care facilities and laboratories bag soiled linen and waste, then drop the sealed bag straight into the wash or bin. The bag dissolves and disappears, leaving no microplastics and no toxic residue.
PVOH film is around three times stronger than standard plastic for confident handling, yet breaks down cleanly at the right water temperature. Every size is held in our Sydney warehouse for fast Australian delivery.
Explore the Dissolvable Range
Hot-wash bags for infectious and soiled linen. Load, seal and wash — no manual sorting. Dissolve at 70°C.
Water-soluble bags for chemotherapy and cytotoxic linen, so contaminated items are washed rather than incinerated. Dissolve at 70°C.
PVOH liners from 73 to 240 litres for infection-control waste bins. Contain waste without contact. Dissolve at 60°C.
Small, medium and large singlet bags for transferring contaminated items. Dissolve at 60°C.
Flat bags and carton liners that dissolve in water for lined boxes and single-item transfers. Dissolve at 40–60°C.
Browse every dissolvable product in one place, from singlet bags to 240 litre liners.
How It Works
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Load and seal. Staff place soiled linen or waste straight into the bag at the point of care — no different to current practice.
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Transfer sealed. The bag moves through your existing trolleys and bins, keeping contents contained.
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Wash or rinse. Drop the sealed bag into the washing machine or dissolving process. The PVOH film dissolves at its rated temperature and the contents release.
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Nothing to handle. No one opens the bag. There is no residue, no fragments and no microplastics left behind.
Dissolve Temperatures at a Glance
| Product |
Dissolve Temperature |
| Flat bags |
40°C |
| Bin liners, carton liners & singlet bags |
60°C |
| Laundry & cytotoxic bags |
70°C |
Who It's For
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Hospitals and aged care — bagging infectious and soiled linen, lining infection-control bins, and containing cytotoxic waste without staff contact.
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Laundries — loading soiled linen directly into industrial washers and cutting manual sorting of contaminated items.
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Laboratories and cleanrooms — transferring contaminated glassware and consumables, and lining cartons for controlled disposal.
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. Flat bags dissolve at 40°C; bin liners, carton liners and singlet bags at 60°C; and laundry and cytotoxic bags at 70°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.
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. Kept away from standing moisture, they will not degrade or dissolve prematurely.
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.
Match a dissolve grade to your workflow
Not sure which temperature grade suits your wash or rinse process? Our Sydney team can advise and send samples. Orders dispatch within 48 hours for fast Australian delivery.
Browse Water-Soluble Packaging
