The 4 Top Rated Biodegradable Garbage Bags
Are you trying to figure out how to dispose of household garbage without using plastic bags?
If you are ready to stop contributing extra plastic to landfills, then the solution is to buy biodegradable garbage bags.
This post is going to introduce you to the top four biodegradable garbage bags according to our research.
But first, let’s explain some of the basics of biodegradable and compostable garbage bags and how they can help you protect the environment.
You can also scroll past our product reviews to learn more about what to look for when choosing biodegradable trash bags. This will also give you a better understanding of the criteria we considered when putting together this list.
What are Biodegradable Trash Bags?
Biodegradable garbage bags are trash bags that break down quickly. They may be made of petrochemical-based plastics or of plant-based bioplastics (or some combination of the two). A popular example of a bioplastic is polylactic acid (PLA).
What breaks down a regular biodegradable trash bag is generally either air or sunlight.
Biodegradable vs. Compostable
While you are shopping for biodegradable trash bags, you may also want to look into a similar type of product called compostable trash bags.
Compostable bags are made of materials that can break down into compost within a 12-24 week time period.
To find out whether a bag is truly compostable, you should check whether it has been tested and certified to meet the ASTM D6400 standard.
Whereas air or sun break down biodegradable trash bags, microorganisms break down compostable trash bags.
That said, they must be available to do so. If you attempt to throw a compostable trash bag in a landfill where aerobic breakdown is not possible, it is going to put out methane (which you don’t want).
So, whether you should shop for compostable trash bags or biodegradable ones comes down to how you plan to dispose of the bags.
Basically, if you want to purchase compostable bags, you need to have an aerobic environment where they can break down. This could be your own compost pile or someone else’s. Some communities offer curb-side composting.
If you do not have access to a composting zone, then you may want to choose a different type of biodegradable trash bag.
Why Should You Use Biodegradable Trash Bags?
You would be amazed by how much environmental destruction is the result of plastic bags.
The Center for Biological Diversity says, “In 2015 about 730,000 tons of plastic bags, sacks and wraps were generated (including PS, PP, HDPE, PVC & LDPE) in the United States, but more than 87% of those items are never recycled, winding up in landfills and the ocean … It takes 1,000 years for a plastic bag to degrade in a landfill. Unfortunately, the bags don’t break down completely but instead photo-degrade, becoming microplastics that absorb toxins and continue to pollute the environment.”
When you start using biodegradable and compostable bags, you no longer have to worry about your bags taking 1,000 years to break down.
Moreover, what they break down into is important. As we mentioned before, many biodegradable bags are made out of bioplastics.
As explained by the Columbia Climate School, bioplastics do still have their pros and cons. But, “Bioplastics do produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional plastics over their lifetime. There is no net increase in carbon dioxide when they break down because the plants that bioplastics are made from absorbed that same amount of carbon dioxide as they grew.”
The site adds, “A 2017 study determined that switching from traditional plastic to corn-based PLA would cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent.”
So, switching to biodegradable and compostable garbage bags is one way you can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Best Biodegradable Garbage Bags
Now that you understand what a difference it can make to start using biodegradable garbage bags, we can take a look at some of the top products on the market.
1. Emily’s Choice Heavy Duty Biodegradable Tall Kitchen Trash Bags Code Q
First up, we have Emily’s Choice Heavy Duty Biodegradable Tall Kitchen Trash Bags. Each pack comes with 50 trash bags. They should be the right size to fit in most standard kitchen trash cans. Just make sure to check the code for your trash can so you are choosing the right option (Q, M or CB50).
Features
- 1.2 Mil / 30 Micron Thickness
- D2W technology for fast breakdown
- ASTM 6954 standard tested
- 13-gallon bags (may hold up to 17 gallons)
- Code Q compatible (CB50 and M are also available)
- Reinforced tie
What Are Customers Saying?
Customers express appreciation that the reinforced tie is a drawstring, which truly goes a long way toward making it easy to tie the bags.
These bags also do a good job containing odors, which makes them particularly useful in the kitchen.
Additionally, buyers report that they are sturdy and not prone to breaking, just as advertised.
Why You’ll Love It
You will like that Emily’s Choice Heavy Duty Biodegradable Tall Kitchen Trash Bags really are as robust as advertised. The 13-17 gallon capacity is roomy and generous, and the overall design of the bags is smart and user-friendly.
2. Reli. Compostable 13 Gallon Trash Bags
If what you are in the market for is trash bags that are 100% compostable, then you will want to consider Reli. Compostable 13 Gallon Trash Bags. While we are featuring the 13-gallon bags, you can get them in sizes as small as 4 gallons or as large as 33 gallons. There are 75 bags in this box, but if you decide you like them, you can bulk buy up to 150 at a time.
Take note that there are no ties included with these bags, so you have to tie them yourself.
Features
- 13-gallon capacity (available in a range of other sizes)
- ASTM-D6400 certified
- Fully compostable
- Coreless rolls
- No ties
- See-through
What Are Customers Saying?
Customers report that while these are not the sturdiest garbage bags in the world, they are pretty robust for being 100% compostable.
Why You’ll Love It
These 100% compostable trash bags are reasonably priced and convenient. Since you can get them in a variety of sizes, you can use them in pretty much any room of the house (your kitchen, your home office, your garage, etc.).
You also will like that these bags are designed to be especially easy to remove from their coreless rolls. So, when it comes time to take out your garbage and replace your bags, you will be able to do it almost effortlessly.
3. SUPERBIO 13-Gallon Compostable Handle Tie Tall Kitchen Garbage Bags
If you want really sturdy 100% compostable bags, consider the SUPERBIO 13-Gallon Compostable Handle Tie Tall Kitchen Garbage Bags. You can purchase them in 3 packs of 10 (30 total) or 2 packs of 30 (60 total).
If you put these bags in your backyard compost pile, they will break down into CO2, water and humus to feed your garden with no plastic byproducts.
Features
- 13-gallon (49.2L) 22.8 in x 35 in x 0.87 mil
- Meets US ASTM D6400 standard and EU EN 13432 standard
- Certified by OK Compost, BPI and Seedling from TUV
- Degrades within 180 days
- 18-month shelf life
- Reinforced bottoms
- Easy handle ties
- Opaque
What Are Customers Saying?
Buyers consistently report that you can pack these bags super full and they will not tear.
Why You’ll Love It
From their sturdy, 100% compostable materials to their easy-tie handles, you will be pleased with every aspect of these trash bags.
4. FORID 13-Gallon Tall Kitchen Garbage Bags
Last on our list of recommendations is FORID 13-Gallon Tall Kitchen Garbage Bags. You receive 80 trash bags, each of them compostable, and importantly, unscented. A lot of biodegradable and compostable trash bag listings leave you guessing whether or not their products have a scent. So, it is nice to see one clearly labeled as not having a scent.
Features
- 13 gallons – (L*W)24.8 * 31.4 inch
- 83-pound capacity
- Compliant with ASTM D6400 and the European standard EN 13432
- Made of compostable plant starch material (PSM)
- These bags are unscented
- Tough octagonal bottoms
What Are Customers Saying?
Multiple reviews seem to suggest these bags are smaller than ones the company sold in the past. But if you check the product description, you will see the seller has gotten really specific about sizing. So, it should be easy to determine whether these bags will fit your trash bins.
Why You’ll Love It
You will like that these trash bags do not have a scent, and are able to accommodate a lot of heavy items without breaking.
Another thing you will love is the price. You are getting a ton of garbage bags here without breaking the bank, so if you are on a budget, this should be your go-to choice.
What to Look for When Choosing Biodegradable Garbage Bags
When you are deciding which biodegradable trash bags to buy, here are some important buying considerations:
- Size: Make sure you are buying bags that will fit in your trashcans. You may want to not only consider the gallons or code listed, but the actual dimensions for the bags and your bins.
- Capacity: Check the capacity for the garbage bags both in terms of gallons and pounds. If you think you will be packing a lot of heavy materials into your bags, the weight is important not to overlook.
- Materials: Find out what the bags are made of, and whether the materials are plant-based.
- Standards and certifications: The best products are designed to meet ASTM standards. Ideally, they also are certified (note that there is a difference between meeting standards and receive an actual certification; the certification provides you with a confirmation that the product actually delivers on the manufacturer’s claims).
- Durability: Some biodegradable bags tear easily. Make sure you are purchasing thick bags with strong bottoms that are not prone to ripping and puncturing.
- Ease of tying: Some customers have a preference for bags that feature drawstrings or other easy ties.
- Transparency: The degree of opacity of biodegradable trash bags varies. If you do not want to have to look at the contents through the bags, try and get bags that are fairly opaque. On the other hand, if you find it convenient to be able to see what is in each bag, aim for a product with a higher level of transparency.
- Rate of breakdown: Choose bags that break down reasonably quickly when you put them in a compost pile. But also take note of the breakdown rate/shelf life of the bags while still in their box. Do not get bags that break down too fast prior to use.
Get Started On Reducing Emissions Now
As you now know what to look for when choosing biodegradable bags, you can recognize high quality products. Scroll back up to check out our recommended eco-friendly trash bags and what makes them ideal with respect to materials, durability and design.
If you are ready to start cutting your plastic waste and reducing your carbon footprint, click on any of the links in this post to buy biodegradable and compostable garbage bags.