Using plastic bags is an ecological disaster; it takes about 1,000 years for one to degrade in a landfill (and even then, it leaves behind microplastics that can add toxins to soil or water). Fortunately, there are biodegradable trash bags. Studies have shown they break down in less than six months — a remarkable improvement and a category of products worth your consideration.
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And when you choose the best biodegradable trash bags, there is no need to sacrifice in quality or durability, either. The plant-based trash bags featured here can handle weight, resist punctures, and help collect and transport trash as well as conventional plastic garbage bags. While being biodegradable is naturally the unifying factor here, beyond that we looked for the best biodegradable trash bags for kitchens, for offices or bathrooms, for yard waste, and more.
But before we talk trash bags, let’s talk science for a moment more, because what these bags are made of on a truly compositional level counts. Lyall Mabin, co-founder of sustainable tips site Sustainable Jungle, says it’s important to look for bioplastic bags made of plant-based and renewable materials, like corn, grains, sugarcane, starches, and vegetable oils. “It’s good to know the difference between these biodegradable bags and bags made of petrochemical-based plastic — which are usually found in the supermarket and marketed as ‘ecofriendly,’” Mabin says. “These degrade into microplastics faster, so it’s really just greenwashing.”
Updated on May 15,
All of these picks are still our favorites, and they’re all still in stock.
Mabin of Sustainable Jungle says these UNNI bags are primarily “made of corn and plant starch,” and when he tested how quickly one broke down by placing one in a compost pile at his own home, it decomposed far faster than bags from four other brands over the course of a multi-week test in mild weather conditions. At 13 gallons in capacity, these bags are the perfect size for the average kitchen trash can and can also be used in compost bins or compost piles. And at 50 bags for less than $20, they’re a great price, too.
We’re happy to report that these low-cost biodegradable trash bags (they cost just 37 cents per bag) are produced by a company with genuine devotion to sustainability. Yehudis Gottesfeld, an engineer with sustainable supply-chain company Materia USA, says, “HippoSak reports that their manufacturing process uses renewable energy and reports the reduction of their CO2 emissions.” She adds that this company uses “plant-based materials in the manufacturing of their bags,” so these are legitimately biodegradable, not merely quickly degrading plastic bags. And as for performance, these standard 13-gallon trash bags are rugged and reliable, resisting leaks or tears, and they have built-in handles for easy carrying or tying off.
According to Rebecca Gade Sawicki, author and founder of vegan travel site Veggies Abroad, “Many consumers don’t realize that most compostable bags are only compostable in commercial settings, not your backyard compost pile.” That’s because the heat and pressure needed to break down these bags quickly is never present in such settings. That’s where HoldOn is different; its bags are certified for home composting. At first, Sawicki was skeptical of this claim, even with the certification, but she put a bag in her home compost pile and “after about ten days, it was nearly gone,” she says. HoldOn uses sugar and/or corn-derived polymers and corn starch to create its trash bags, which are as durable as any other trash bag, but are also safe for the environment and suitable for home composting.
Sustainable Jungle’s Mabin says these bags from Primode are “made of plants and vegetables and not much more,” adding that they are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute, a nonprofit that prides itself on being “North America’s leading authority on compostable products and packaging.” Primode offers many biodegradable trash bags, but these, the company’s small three-gallon bags, are a great size for daily kitchen waste — both for the food scraps sent to the backyard compost pile or for everyday trash — or for lining smaller trash cans such as those in an office or bathroom. The 100-count box you get also means a great value.
These biodegradable trash bags are marketed for composting food scraps and will fit perfectly into many countertop compost bins. Materia USA’s Gottesfeld says they are made with “plant-based materials” and are fully compostable. They’re also a great size for the smaller- to medium-size waste baskets around the house or in the office, and, for more traditional trash, you can count on them to support plenty of weight and resist punctures or leaks.
These large 48-gallon biodegradable trash bags are big enough for use in outdoor trash cans. Sustainable Jungle’s Mabin says that they are made from plant-based bioplastics, like corn starch, and biodegradable polymers. While pricey, at more than a dollar per bag, these large, durable trash bags can handle up to 20 pounds of garbage. Just remember that, like all biodegradable bags, they will start to break down within days when filled with organic materials, especially in warmer conditions — if filled with nonorganic materials, like plastics and shredded papers and such, they will retain their integrity much longer.
I’m my own home’s lawn guy, and I try to be green in lawn care. One way I do this is to use biodegradable bags to collect grass trimmings and raked leaves and debris, because these bags allow this organic material to break down and become exposed to air, releasing CO2. Which is better than what happens to yard waste that breaks down in plastic bags that block air: Then it produces methane, a greenhouse gas more than 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Sturdy and durable enough to hold many pounds of organic detritus, and able to withstand punctures from thorns and smaller brambles, these have been my go-to lawn bags for the better part of five years, and I’ve yet to have one fail me.
For many people, the idea of chucking away organic waste in a regular trash bag is counterproductive. And, indeed, most of your food trash won’t biodegrade in a landfill anyway.
So whats the eco-friendly alternative?
I want to share with you a few reasons why you should swap out your regular trash bags for the more sustainable biodegradable trash bags.
I’ll also be giving you a list of the most viable alternatives to help you on you’re biodegradable trash bag journey.
When you are looking to buy biodegradable trash bags, there are certain things you need to look out for. Check out my list for biodegradable trash bags:
And one last thing to thinks about drawstring or handles?Everyone has there own preferences drawstring or handles; it’s up to you. Compostable trash bags are just as versatile as the traditional plastic trash bags. So if you want drawstring, then you have an eco-friendly version out there.
Maybe you’re still struggling to make a decision, or perhaps you’re not sure where to start?
If this describes you in any way then I’m here to help. I’ve been using biodegradable and compostable trash bags for years. So I made a list of the best biodegradable garbage bags I could find:
UNNI trash bags are BPI certified so they can get sent to commercial compost sites.
They guarantee 100% biodegradability in home composting while using the highest biobased content in plant starches.
That means no polyethylene.
The durable and non-toxic bags make the perfect alternative for your traditional kitchen trash bags.
Thes big trash bags have no issue filling a 13-gallon trash bin. It’s nice to see ASTM D being used as a highly biodegradable plastic alternative. Although it does seem this particular brand does the job a little too well. Definitely worth thinking about your waste habits.
Each bag is 16.3 inches x 16.5 inches.
The rolls contain 100 Compostable trash bags and also have a bulk buy offer of 600 trash bags.
It’s a great organic waste collection bag.
The best bit is its BPI certified for home composting.
The bags should be used within a year and kept away from excessive heat, to ensure long life.
These are ideal kitchen trash bags for any home.
It’s nice to have small compostable bags. I hate having to clean the food waste container in my kitchen. Having small bags like this really makes the difference. But, unless you go through a lot of food waste, then these trash bags aren’t for you. They’ll dissolve by the time you fill it.
For extra strength, the trash bag is 0.87 mm thick.
The eco-friendly trash bags are made with corn and vegetable plastic, which is certified by BPI-ASTM D.
Their compostable trash bags can decompose in a home compost setting.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Biodegradable Trash Bags 13 Gallon.
As the bags decompose, they leave nutrient-rich minerals, water, and Co2.
The compostable bags can fit in most tall bins and make a great alternative to plastic bags.
Overall the compostable trash bag is an excellent size and very durable. But, it’s a shame about the problem with the leaking. The plant-based plastic can’t be home composted, so make sure you check there’s a commercial composting scheme in your area.
They use plant starch as a new type of PSM.
Which means is can biodegrade without leaving any traces.
Each roll comes with 75 kitchen trash bags and comes in a pack of five.
Each one of their waste bags is a massive 24.8 inches x 31.5 inches, with a thickness of 1 mill.
The waste bags are a lot stronger than your average compostable garbage bags.
Inwaysin makes some solid, durable bags that can hold well over 13 gallons of trash. A contender for any kitchen draw. I do have some worries about the materials. It says it their compostable bags, but it also claims to be bioplastics. It’s just something to think about.
Let’s start with; they are better for the environment than your regular trash bag. At least biodegradable bags break down eventually.
But, biodegradable trash bags still have their own issues when buried under piles of trash. The problem is the trash bags don’t get subjected to the right conditions; this includes:
And that’s why looking for trash bags that are biodegradable and compostable is the best option.
The compostable trash bags break down a lot easier than standard biodegradable trash bags. And they don’t leave toxins behind. Which, unfortunately, some biodegradable bin bags do.
Anyway, mixing organic food waste with plastic seems stupid. We all have the opportunity to home compost, why mix great compost with plastic?
And if you can’t home compost, then commercial composting sites can take care of the waste; but you’ll need to get compostable bags. If you don’t, it’s likely it will just end up being sent to the landfill.
In , it’s thought over 40 million tons of food waste was generated, and 76% got sent to landfill sites. That makes up for around 22% of all discarded waste. The worst thing is all this organic, compostable, and biodegradable trash is likely to stay there forever.
They think 1/3 of all food gets wasted, which let’s face it, is a problem in itself, but it’s having harmful effects on landfill sites too. You might think it doesn’t, but it does.
The biodegradable waste isn’t subjected to the right conditions needed to decompose, so we start to see an increase in methane gas.
This is why we need to start composting and using biodegradable bags. It will help to lower the effects the greenhouse gases are having on the planet.
Biodegradable trash bags can be from various materials. The problem is some biodegradable trash bags use petrochemicals, which makes them no better than regular trash bags.
Which is another reason I like to go for biodegradable and compostable trash bags.
Compostable bags break down much quicker because there made with cornstarch or potato starch. So no petrochemicals and no harming the environment.
However:
When choosing a biodegradable bag, there are a few things you need to watch for. There are so many products out there that sound biodegradable, but that doesn’t mean they are. Make sure you watch out for these:
It’s not known precisely and heavily depends on the brand and the conditions it’s subjected too. But, they do think around three to six months to decompose fully.
But, if you’re not careful with what brand of trash bags your use. There’s a chance you might find it’s no better for the environment than regular trash bags.
Look for trash bags that are compostable and biodegradable. When exposed to moisture, they start to break down, and they don’t leave pieces of plastic behind.
How quickly compostable trash bags take to decompose depends on:
So remember, there are a few things you need to look out for before choosing your compostable trash bags. First, the most effective material is ASTM D; it degrades the quickest and leaves no traces.
Secondly, think about how many compostable bags you’re likely to go through; if you use a lot, why not bulk buy? It will save money and time.
Some compostable trash bags are scented, so if you want your kitchen smelling a little fresher, then it’s an excellent option for you.
Durability is a massive factor with compostable bags, they’re notoriously thin. Having a bag split in your kitchen is a nightmare. Choose a nice durable bag to avoid this horrible situation.
Lastly, think about the size. Nothing grinds my gears more than a poorly fitted bin bag. Check the manufacturer’s sizes and try to match it to your bin.
If you liked this kitchen bin episode or if you have any questions, please comment below. And please don’t forget to share it, lets cut down on plastic trash together.
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