Trash bag color code in Panama
In Panama, separating waste by bag color is not an informal convention: it is a scheme published by the Urban and Household Sanitation Authority (AAUD) and the Ministry of Environment (MiAMBIENTE), with five categories and a regulation behind each one. Red for hospital waste, salmon for construction and demolition debris, black for general waste, green for organics, and blue for recyclables.
- → Five official categories: red, salmon, black, green and blue.
- → Red is mandatory for hospital waste under Executive Decree 267-2002.
- → Yellow is not an official category — it is produced on special order for specific programs.
What each bag color means
- Red — Hospital and biohazard waste: syringes, blood-soiled gauze, gloves and sharps. Mandatory under Executive Decree 267-2002 and standard DGNTI-COPANIT 44-2000: the bag must be impermeable, carry the biohazard symbol and be labeled “PELIGRO — RESIDUOS HOSPITALARIOS”. Non-compliance is sanctioned by MINSA.
- Salmon — Construction and demolition debris: concrete, brick, wood, metal and drywall. Recommended by MiAMBIENTE Resolution DM-0657-2018, which requires debris to be separated and identified by waste type and generating company.
- Black — General, non-recoverable waste: soiled napkins, tissue and general household trash. Regulated by the AAUD under Law 33 of 2018 (Zero Waste Policy) and Law 187 of 2020. The most commonly used bag.
- Green — Organics: food scraps and garden waste. Regulated by the AAUD; we manufacture this category to customer specification.
- Blue — Recyclables: PET, cans, cardboard and glass. Regulated by the AAUD, and the category that produces the raw material we recycle into our own products.
Additional colors on special order
Beyond the five official categories, we manufacture bags in other colors when an institutional client needs them for a specific separation program — for example, yellow bags for Tetra Pak collection, produced for a client running that program together with the AAUD.
Note: this summary is for reference and traceability. It does not replace direct consultation with MINSA, MiAMBIENTE or the AAUD on specific regulatory questions, and regulations may change. Sources verified: August 2026.
Why separate waste by color
Separating waste at the source is the first step of the circular economy. When recyclables are not mixed with common trash, they are much easier to recover and turn into new products, reducing landfill waste and the carbon footprint.
Colored bags made in Panama
At Ecoplásticos Panamá we make trash bags in the five official colors —red, salmon, black, green and blue— in different sizes and gauges, from recycled post-consumer and post-industrial plastic, plus additional colors on special order. Not sure which to choose? Read our guide to choosing trash bags.
Frequently asked questions
What color is the bag for common trash?
The black bag covers general, non-recoverable waste, regulated by the AAUD under Law 33 of 2018 and Law 187 of 2020.
What is the red bag for?
The red bag is for hospital and biohazard waste. It is mandatory under Executive Decree 267-2002 and standard DGNTI-COPANIT 44-2000: impermeable, marked with the biohazard symbol and labeled “PELIGRO — RESIDUOS HOSPITALARIOS”.
Which color is for recyclables?
Blue covers recyclables: PET, cans, cardboard and glass — the category that yields the raw material we recycle.
Where can I buy colored trash bags in Panama?
At Ecoplásticos Panamá we make recycled bags in the five official colors, plus additional colors on special order. Request a quote on WhatsApp at +(507) 6446-1818.
