Abstract: Apparatus for handling soiled surgical sponges is provided, where at least one or two arrays of pouches are formed along the length of a strip of thermoplastic material, where the pouches are oriented so as to be contiguous one to another at adjoining sides, or an adjoining top or bottom, or both. Each of the pouches may be provided with a flap to close the pouch, whereby the risk of contamination is reduced. The thermoplastic strip having the array of pouches is adapted for suspension along its top edge, and may thereby be associated with an operating room kick bucket directly, or indirectly, or with a holding frame, and also with a weighing scale, whereby soiled surgical sponges may be counted, weighed and disposed of with a minimum of handling.