7 Strong Eco-Friendly Trash Bags (Biodegradable & Reusable)

Are you trying to reduce the amount of trash you produce...but still see mountains of it piling up at home every week?

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Hate the thought of wrapping your trash in a plastic bag that will add to the global plastic waste problem and take hundreds of years to degrade?

Don't worry - I have the answer!

Degradable, biodegradable, compostable, recycled, reusable, and more...there are an overwhelming amount of sustainable trash bag alternatives on the market.

I’ve carefully picked my way through the best eco-friendly trash bags minefield for you, and can confirm that it IS possible to bag your trash sustainably...but it’s not quite as straightforward as you might think.

Most trash bags are not very eco-friendly. But there are some that are kinder to the planet, without compromising on strength...

Best Eco-Friendly Trash Bag
OVERALL WINNER

Plastno Compostable Trash Bags are versatile and eco-conscious...perfect for kitchen and household use.

Crafted from renewable, plant-based materials, these bags are non-toxic and fully compostable, promoting sustainability without compromising on quality and durability.

I'm impressed with these bags' strength (even when packed to their 13-gallon capacity). With their multilayer strength, they're capable of handling heavy household waste. The easy-tie closure ensures convenient use and transportation, while the star-sealed bottom prevents leaks, rips, and tears.

These eco-friendly marvels are made from three plant-based materials:

• Corn starch: This incredible material, ethically harvested from corn, not only thickens gravies and removes stubborn stains but also has a minimal environmental impact when used to make trash bags.
• Polylactic Acid (PLA): PLA is derived from renewable sources like sugar cane. PLA shares similar properties with plastic but decomposes entirely without leaving a trace.
• Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT): PBAT breaks down entirely when composted, leaving no toxic waste behind. This innovative alternative shows excellent potential in replacing regular plastic while maintaining strength.

Whether you're using these bags for trash designed for the compost heap in your yard or regular trash heading off to commercial facilities, you can rest assured that the compostability of these bags has been certified by two leading green certifications:

• BPI: As the benchmark for industrial composting in North America, BPI guarantees the safety of Plastno bags in commercial facilities. Stringent checks ensure these bags leave no synthetic residue behind, instilling utmost confidence in their eco-friendliness.
• TUV: Plastno bags have undergone rigorous testing to earn global recognition and TUV certification. This ensures they're safe for home composting, breaking down cleanly in your backyard into organic matter, which can be safely used in your garden.

As with all genuinely compostable trash bags, there are a few things you should bear in mind to get the most out of your Plastno Compostable Trash Bags:

• To prolong their durability, drain excess liquid from wet waste
• For optimal performance, store the bags in a cool and dry place
• These bags have a shelf life of approximately 12 months, so it's best to avoid stockpiling too many
• Don't use these bags for storage
• Keep away from babies, children, and pets to prevent suffocation

Free shipping is available on all US orders over $40, and you can save 15% by using our exclusive code (THEROUNDUPORG).

There's also a neat subscription option (Plastno Membership) if you want to save even more...and never run out of trash bags again.

I don't want to be the guy who gets excited about eco-friendly trash bags...but Plastno has nailed it...and I AM excited!

They're strong, reliable, and certified compostable. Win-Win-Win!

Certified Compostable & Biodegradable Trash Bags

Biodegradable Trash Bags

Biodegradable bags work similarly to degradable bags, but with one significant difference.

Natural microorganisms are used to break down the bag rather than relying on chemicals and heavy metals.

Biodegradable bags are a more eco-friendly alternative to degradable trash bags.

However, even the best biodegradable trash bags eventually break down into tiny pieces of polluting plastic, so they’re not an ideal choice for all applications.

To be appropriately certified, both degradable and biodegradable trash bags should be capable of full degradation within one year.

Compostable Trash Bags

Compostable trash bags are made from natural plant starch. They do not release toxins when breaking down.

An eco-friendly compostable trash bag will decompose fully in the right composting conditions.

Always check the label, though, as some compostable trash bags will decompose in your home compost, whereas others will need to go to commercial composting facilities.

Compostable bags are great for food and garden waste, but cheaper options are not always best for general trash because they can start to break down if left in the trash can for too long.

More Great Biodegradable & Compostable Trash Bags

In addition to the overall winner, I also loved the following during testing.

They Say: Plant Based Hippo Sak Tall Kitchen Trash Bags are proudly made from sugar cane instead of fossil fuels, allowing our bags to be renewable, recyclable and reduce your carbon footprint - and are Super Strong as ever! For every 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of plant raw material used to create Hippo Sak Plant-Based Tall Kitchen Bags, they reduce CO2 emissions by 2.15 kg and reduce the consumption of fossil fuel by 2 liters!

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For more Biodegradable Trash Bags 13 Galloninformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

We Say: Sooooooooo! I have a feeling this might be a controversial choice.

These bags are not classed as compostable or biodegradable.

My remit for this article was to test and review the best Earth-friendly trash bags of . Any products I recommend need to perform their core function well, at a reasonable price, while also treading as lightly as possible on the planet.

That’s why I’ve chosen Hippo Sak Plant Based Tall Kitchen Bags. They’re an excellent all-rounder.

They’re as heavy-duty as any plastic garbage bag I’ve ever used but contain a minimum of 80% plant-based materials (sugar cane).

This massively reduces the amount of oil needed to make these bags. Which in turn reduces their carbon footprint.

Yes…it’s not ideal that it contains 20% plastic.

Yes...it’s not ideal that these are not biodegradable or compostable trash bags.

However, when you consider the bag dimension (13 gallons) and durability, I believe that they’re a worthy winner.

They’re thick enough to be reused without breaking. Once full, carefully take outside and empty into a large metal trash can ready for collection.

There are more environmentally friendly options, but they’re usually smaller, flimsier, or are for a different purpose (food waste, composting, etc.). I’ll discuss this in more detail later.

What Kind of Garbage Bags Are Best for The Environment?

Either reusable or compostable trash bags are best for the environment.

Compostable bags are designed to disintegrate in a compost pile along with organic waste. These bags are typically made from biodegradable materials like paper, vegetable starches, or bioplastics.

Reusable cloth bags are an excellent choice for reducing waste and minimizing your environmental impact. These planet-friendly trash containers are durable and can be washed and reused many times, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bags altogether.

However, the reality is that most people still do not like the idea of reusable bags and prefer to buy disposable products.

Isn't It Bad To Use Compostable Bags For Trash?

I wouldn’t say it’s bad, but the planet doesn’t really gain anything when you use compostable bags for trash heading to landfill.

According to the Columbia Climate School, “Most landfills don’t get to the temperatures needed for compostable bags to break down, meaning they will essentially mummify along with the other trash in the landfill”.

That's why sending compostable trash to the correct facility is important.

A compostable bag is not the answer to every problem. But you should at least stick to using earth compostable garbage bags for your compostable waste.

How Long Do Biodegradable Bio Bags Take To Decompose?

10-45 days, according to the Biobag FAQ section.

Can I Use Trash Bags To Pick Up Dog Poop?

Using trash bags to pick up dog poop is wasteful as they tend to be oversized for the task at hand. Instead, consider choosing one of the environmentally friendly alternatives mentioned in my article on dog poop bags.

The Final Word

So, there you have it. I hope I’ve helped shed some light on what makes the best green bin bags.

I thought long and hard about whether or not I should be recommending some products containing plastics, and I do feel that compostable trash bags are the best option from an environmental perspective.

However, when these are not available, recycled plastic bags are an option. And while you are unlikely to find 100% recycled trash bags (one day I hope this will be possible), at the moment those with a high percentage are certainly better than those made entirely from virgin plastics.

Garbage bags need to be strong and durable and contain all types of waste, and I feel I’ve covered all bases with my recommendations.

Get In Touch

What steps are you currently taking to make your trash bag usage as green as possible? Have I missed your favorite brand/option off the list? Drop me a line and let me know.

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