Last Updated on September 24, 2024
Using compost bags will help you in your efforts to compost food. Food scraps don’t break down in landfills, so by composting them, you’re actually helping the environment. Compostable trash bags are designed to break down quickly in a compost.
If you’re new to composting or just looking to upgrade your current composting setup, the best compostable trash bags come from brands like UNNI, Repurpose, SuperBio, and Envision EcoSafe-6400. I’m going to share why compostable garbage bags are important and what makes a compost bag compostable compared to other bags.
Table of Contents
why you need a compostable trash bag
Before we get into the list, let’s quickly recap why you need compost bags for your food scraps and organic waste in the first place.
If you’re composting at home or in your backyard, you need to separate your food waste from your regular trash. This is where compostable garbage bags come in handy. Made from compostable material, they will break down in a composting environment, leaving behind no trace (or microplastics).
If you send your waste to a commercial composting facility, they might likely require you to use a compostable bag. Regular trash bags can’t be composted at these facilities and are extremely harmful to the environment and human health.
top features to look for in compostable garbage bags
As someone who has been using curbside compost pickup, I know that there are a lot of things to consider when it comes to choosing the right compost bag. Characteristics like size, thickness, and durability all come into play, as does the type of compostable material the bag is made from.
If you find yourself at the supermarket and there aren’t many compost bags on the shelf, it can be helpful to know what features to look for. Here’s a checklist I bring with me when I’m looking for a good compostable bag:
- Certified compostable by a recognized organization, such as the ASTM D6400 or the EN 13432 standard
- Made from plant-based materials and renewable resources
- Features a leak-proof and tear-resistant design
- Affordable and easily available
- Sustainably and ethically produced
- Made in the USA or another country with high environmental standards
a simple compost bag and the environment
Compost bags are a great way to reduce your environmental impact and make your home more sustainable and convenient (how often does that happen?!). A good compostable bag makes composting at home so much easier than having to empty and clean a bin every few days, and it breaks down easily into your compost.
Plus, they don’t produce methane gases or CO2 emissions, so it’s an environmentally conscious way of disposing of your food.
All of the bags on this list meet the stringent requirements of ASTM D6400 and are certified compostable by a recognized organization. Made from plant-based materials and renewable resources, making them a good choice for the environment, your home, and your health.
The good news is that there are a lot of great compostable trash bags on the market today. So, without further ado, let’s get to the list.
1. unni 100% heavy duty compostable bags
These bags are made from plant starch and are completely compostable and biodegradable. They’re certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) under US standard ASTM D6400, meaning they will break down easily in a commercial composting facility. They’re also EPA approved for food contact, making them safe to use for collecting food waste.
The bags are 6.7 x 4.5 x 4.3 inches and are thick enough to handle heavy items without tearing. They’re also freezer safe, making them a good choice for collecting frozen food waste.
2. repurpose compostables kitchen trash bags
Repurpose is a fast-growing tableware brand that offers a wide range of plant-based compostable products. Their compostable bags are made from plant-based materials, including sugarcane and beets, and are certified compostable by OK compost HOME, which is possibly the best certification for home composting out there.
These bags are also free of BPA, phthalates, and other toxins, and are free of fragrance. The bags come in small and tall sizes, with both sizes coming with a star-sealed bottom to prevent leaks.
3. superbio compostable bags
SuperBio compostable bags are also certified compostable by both the US ASTM D6400 standard and the EU EN 13432 standard. The even better thing about these bags is that there is no plastic residue — everything will degrade to humus, CO2, and water within days when placed in a standard compost pile.
At 0.76 mil thickness, these bags are not as sturdy as the others, so they’re perfect for lighter items like newspapers and food waste.
4. hippo sak kitchen bags
Like the other brands here, HIPPO SAK kitchen bags are made from plant-based materials and renewable resources to help you reduce your carbon footprint. These bags are also USDA certified, making them a sustainable and safe option for food.
The bags are 9.8 x 13.4 inches and are 0.6 mil thick. They’re also leak-, puncture- and tear-resistant, making them a good choice for a variety of wastes.
5. green earth compostable waste bags
Green Earth prides itself on its bags being certified compostable under the ASTM D6400 specification in the USA.
The bags are made from GMO-free crops and can degrade completely in both home and commercial composting facilities, leaving behind only nutrient-rich humus, water, and CO2.
The bags are available in three sizes — small, medium, and large — and all sizes fit most tall bins. They should be stored in a cool, dry place and used within one year of purchase.
6. reli compostable trash bags
These Reli compostable trash bags are made from plant-based materials and are also certified compostable by the ASTM D6400 standard. They feature a leak-proof design and are tough enough to handle heavy items without tearing.
Reli is a good family-owned brand to choose if you’re looking for an affordable, eco-friendly composting option.
7. stout by envision ecosafe-6400 compostable bags
Envision is a household name when it comes to composting, and its STOUT line of compostable bags is one of the best on the market.
The EcoSafe-6400 compostable bags are engineered for composting and collection of organic waste. They meet the stringent requirements of ASTM D6400 and carry the USCC and BPI certifications.
What’s more, these bags are made by visually impaired individuals, making them an eco-friendly and socially responsible choice.
faqs about compost bags
I have a small kitchen and don’t produce much waste — are compost bags worth it?
Compost bags can be a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, even if you don’t produce a lot of waste. They’re also handy for collecting food waste, which can help keep your kitchen clean and reduce the smell of rotting food.
what’s the difference between compostable bags and biodegradable bags?
Compostable bags are next-level bags. They break down completely in a composting environment, leaving behind no residues. Composting is a more environmentally friendly option, as it doesn’t produce the methane gas that landfills do.
Biodegradable bags break down into their constituent components but do leave behind a residue. Read more about compostable vs. biodegradable materials here.
can I put compostable bags in my regular trash can?
No, it’s vital that you put compostable bags in a compost bin (that you can also make yourself). If you put them in your regular trash can, they’ll just end up in the landfill and won’t break down.
what are compostable trash bags made out of?
Most compostable trash bags are made of plant starch. This means they’re all natural, nontoxic, and easily return to their natural state. Because of this, they break down easily in the microbial state of a compost heap or bin.
how long do compost bags take to break down?
Compostable garbage bags are made to decompose within 10-60 days of composting when ideal composting conditions are met.
Keep in mind that many home-composters have a hard time maintaining that ideal environment, so don’t panic if you see it hanging around in your pile or bin for longer than that. Just work to maintain the right temperatures and ratios of browns and greens and it’ll get there!
For household food composting, why use a bag at all? I have a Rubbermaid Pitcher, 2 quart container that I keep in my sink and fill with food compost. I carry it out to my bin, then wash it out and return it to my sink. It’s clean and there’s no odor after washing. It’s cheaper too.