Hefty Drops Birthday Cake Bags for Its 60th Anniversary

Leave it to Hefty to make trash day smell like a party. To mark its 60th birthday, the brand released a limited-edition run of birthday cake-scented Ultra Strong trash bags — and they’re going for just 60 cents a box.

Each 20-count box of tall kitchen bags comes infused with the scent of vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles, combining Hefty’s signature six-in-one protection with a whiff of pure nostalgia. It’s a sweet spin on an everyday task — one that fits right in with the recent wave of birthday cake-flavored everything, from protein bars to body wash. Scented trash bags aren’t new, but birthday cake? That’s a choice.

“Hefty has been making reliable products that are a key part of everyday life for 60 years,” said Brienne Neisewander, vice president of marketing at Hefty. “We wanted to celebrate this milestone with something fun, unexpected, and unmistakably Hefty.”

To take the celebration offline, the brand teamed up with the Chicago Cubs for a birthday-themed stadium activation on May 27. At Wrigley Field, the first 5,000 fans through the Budweiser Bleacher Gate scored a limited-edition Hefty birthday bucket hat — proof that, yes, even your trash bag brand can throw a ballpark party.

The rise of food-scented everything

Birthday cake-scented trash bags might sound absurd at first, but they’re part of a growing trend: food fragrances showing up in unexpected places. Think fried chicken firelogs, pizza perfume, and dill pickle candles. These novelty scents tap into sensory nostalgia and internet-ready absurdity — especially when they riff on universally loved flavors. The birthday cake has become a go-to fragrance for brands aiming to evoke celebration, comfort, and just enough chaos to go viral.

Call it a lifestyle

Scented bags have long been about function — masking kitchen odors with citrus, lavender, or “clean linen.” But this latest release pushes into lifestyle territory. With this drop, Hefty joins a broader group of utility brands, rebranding everyday items as moments of joy. From Method’s designer soap bottles to Target’s dopamine decor, even the most utilitarian products are getting the personality treatment. A birthday cake-scented trash bag might not change your life, but it’s a reminder that the mundane doesn’t have to be boring.

Where to get Hefty Birthday Cake trash bags

The limited-edition Hefty Ultra Strong Birthday Cake Scent Trash Bags are available now exclusively online at shop.hefty.com while supplies last. At just 60 cents per box, they’re priced to celebrate the brand’s 60th anniversary — and yes, they’re expected to go fast.

You’ll find them online, but don’t be surprised if they show up on Instagram before they hit the curb.