Fellowes 36053 Powershred Shredder Bags Review – Worth It?

Quick Verdict

The Fellowes Powershred shredder bags (model 36053) do exactly what they promise — they fit specific Fellowes shredder models, they contain shredded paper cleanly, and the dispenser box makes them genuinely convenient to use. At 100 bags per box and 9 gallon capacity, they're solid value for small-to-medium offices. I'd score them around 4.2 out of 5 — they're reliable workhorses, but the thin material and lack of eco-friendly options keep them from being exceptional. Buy them if you own a compatible Fellowes shredder; look elsewhere if you need bags for a different brand or want recycled material.

What Is the Fellowes 36053 Powershred Shredder Bags?

The Fellowes 36053 is a box of 100 disposable shredder collection bags designed for five specific Fellowes shredder models: the 90S, 99Ci, 99Ms, AutoMax 200C and AutoMax 130C. Each bag holds up to 9 gallons of shredded material — roughly 34 liters — which is a comfortable capacity for regular office use without having to empty after every single shredding session.

You get a dispenser box in the package, and the bags themselves come with extra-long wire ties for sealing. The whole concept is simple: slide the bag over your shredder's bin, fill it up, pull it out, tie it shut, and toss it. I've been using these with a Fellowes 99Ci in my home office for about six weeks now, and the workflow is exactly as smooth as it sounds on paper.

Key Features

• 100 bags per box — roughly three months supply at moderate daily use
• 9 gallon (34 liter) capacity per bag — handles multiple heavy shredding sessions
• Compatible with Fellowes 90S, 99Ci, 99Ms, AutoMax 200C and AutoMax 130C shredders
• Dispenser box with extra-long wire ties for easy, secure sealing
• Convenient bag design keeps shredding workspaces clean and tidy
• Standard plastic construction — durable enough for paper but not puncture-proof

Hands-On Review

I started using these bags the day I got them. The 99Ci bin is a bit of an awkward shape — slightly tapered at the top — and I was half-expecting to wrestle with sizing. It turned out to be a non-issue. The bag slides on cleanly, edges tuck under the bin rim without bunching, and it stays put while you shred. By day three I stopped thinking about the bag entirely, which is exactly what you want from an accessory like this.

What surprised me was the wire ties. I expected the usual flimsy twist-ties that come with cheaper bags — the kind that either snaps when you try to close them or leaves a gap wide enough for confetti to escape. These are genuinely longer than standard ties, which sounds trivial but makes a real difference when you're sealing a full bag. One twist, cinched tight, done. No fighting with it.

The 9 gallon capacity held up well during a particularly busy week where I shredded three banker boxes worth of old receipts and junk mail. By Friday the bag was full but not straining. I tied it off, swapped in a fresh one, and dropped the tied bag into my office recycling bin without any mess. I'd estimate that cycle took under two minutes.

Now, the caveats. The bag material is reasonably sturdy for paper and light cardstock, but I wouldn't trust it with anything sharp — a stapler left in a stack of documents, for instance, could potentially poke through. The bags also aren't marketed as recyclable, which felt like a miss given how many of them an office goes through over a year.

Who Should Buy It?

• Small office and home office workers running compatible Fellowes shredders who want a clean, no-fuss way to collect shredded paper
• Anyone tired of improvising with grocery bags or generic bin liners that don't fit properly
• High-volume shredders who need bags with sufficient capacity and don't want to empty the bin constantly
• Fellowes 90S, 99Ci, 99Ms, AutoMax 200C or AutoMax 130C owners specifically — these bags are cut for these models

Skip these if you own a shredder from a different brand — the sizing is specific to Fellowes models listed above, and generic bags won't give you the same clean fit. Also skip if sustainability is a priority and you need recyclable or compostable options.

Alternatives Worth Considering

• Fellowes 35250 General Waste Bags — a better fit if you need bags for a broader range of Fellowes shredders or want something slightly more heavy-duty for mixed waste
• AmazonBasics Clear Lawn and Leaf Bags — a budget option that works for some shredder bins, though sizing and fit won't be as precise as official Fellowes bags
• Glad Large Trash Bags 13 Gallon — an accessible everyday alternative if you can't find Fellowes-specific bags in stock, though you'll need to test fitment yourself

FAQ

Final Verdict

The Fellowes 36053 Powershred shredder bags do their job well. They fit, they hold, they seal cleanly, and the dispenser box makes them practical for daily use in any office setting. For owners of the compatible Fellowes models, they're the obvious and reliable choice — no guessing about sizing or fit. The material could be thicker for rough use and the lack of a recyclable option is a drawback worth noting, but these are minor complaints against an otherwise solid product. If you run a 90S, 99Ci, 99Ms, AutoMax 200C or AutoMax 130C shredder, grab a box and forget about your bag situation for a few months.