Don’t let the name fool you, these bags are usable anywhere with a municipal facility, not just in Houston. A great alternative to traditional paper lawn waste bags these compostable lawn and leaf bags can be tied closed and are 1.2 mil thick.
The 33 gallon size is perfect for just about any yard related job, and these bags can be dropped off at your local compost facility, just like the paper bags, but without the hassle of spills. The bags can’t be purchased directly from the retailer, unfortunately, but there is a search tool on the BioBag USA website to find a local store for pick up. They can also be ordered from Amazon and Lowes.
We also love that the bags begin to break down so quickly that BioBag suggests dropping at your local compost site within 12 days of collection. Don’t forget when working with outdoor materials that moisture speeds up the decomposition process of compostable bags.
The most important thing to remember when switching out your single-use plastic bags for biodegradable or compostable trash bags is that not all bags degrade at the same rate or using the same process.
Make sure to consider what your process will be for disposal of your eco-friendly garbage bags after trash collection. If you plan to put your new eco-friendly garbage bags in your trash bin for collection, and that trash goes to a landfill, a compostable bag will most likely be your best bet. Even though decomposition will not be guaranteed since the conditions likely won’t be as ideal as a compost site, the bag will still make less of an environmental impact because of the way compostable garbage bags are produced.
If you plan to send your garbage bags to a compost center, then rest assured as long as you confirm that the bag is in fact compostable, and even better if it is certified by the BPI, your bag will degrade in the facility. Biodegradable bags are still an excellent choice and typically are thicker, meaning they will hold up against the heavier, messier bits of garbage. But, keep in mind that because of the environmental conditions of most landfills, biodegradable bags will likely not degrade fully in the way you might expect.
Look for certifications from BPI and estimated time frames for decomposition.
Keep in mind that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) makes it clear to consumers that the words compostable plastic and biodegradable plastic are not interchangeable. The difference is in the ways these two types of plastic are created and degrade.
Dirt and moisture are needed to decompose biodegradable plastic, but compostable plastic must be placed in compost material to fully degrade.2
Biodegradable plastic is definitely real, but it’s all about your understanding of what biodegradable means vs. what compostable means. To put it simply, biodegradable plastic is not going to break down as fully as compostable plastic.
The sad truth is that the planet is being devastated by plastic. Any step towards change is a step in the right direction, and biodegradable plastics are more readily available and affordable than ever before.
Fortunately, there are regulations in place thanks to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Guides concerning marketing, commonly called the ‘green guide’.3
The FTC requirements are set in place to help consumers distinguish whether or not a product will degrade and in order to meet their guidelines, and because there are no universal tests.3 Simply put, in order for a manufacturer to claim biodegradability, if they are going to be in compliance with the rules set forth by the Federal Trade Commission, they must let the consumer know, clearly, how long it will take for their product to degrade and the conditions required for decomposition.
Read your labels and buy from trusted sources. Reputable brands are transparent when making claims about how their products break down, how they’re made, and what you, as the consumer, can expect.
If you’ve decided that biodegradable bags are not for you and that you’d rather go the compostable route, there are a few key things to look for when shopping.
Just like with biodegradable bags, you should look for certifications from the BPI because BPI certification means a product has been tested and that it checks all boxes for being a truly biodegradable or compostable products.
It is important to understand just how long your new eco-friendly trash bags will take to decompose for two reasons.
Remember that compostable materials break down when exposed to certain light and moisture conditions. Keep that in mind before pouring liquids into a compostable bag.
Pay close attention to what the product requires for composting. Remember when a bag goes to a landfill, some of those requirements may not be met, meaning your eco-friendly trash bag may not fully decompose.
Do you need to take the bag to a municipal composting site or can you compost the bag at home? Typically, compostable plastics need to be taken to a facility. Make sure that you look at the labeling or product description of your new garbage bags to ensure that you have access to the necessary facility.
You can find your closest compost center through a quick google search and most sites have their guidelines posted online, or are happy to explain requirements if you give them a call. Make sure to follow all guidelines, though. It’s important that non-compostable products are never taken to a compost site.
The good news is that saving our planet from the devastation of plastic consumption is now easier than ever because so many products are readily available. A little bit of knowledge can go a long way, and making the switch to a biodegradable or compostable trash bags is an easy act that can have a big impact.
Research is key, so make sure to investigate brands and find out about their production processes, shipping processes, and just how “eco-friendly” and sustainable their products really are. You can also measure your emissions using an ecological footprint calculator, and then use tree planting offsets from one of the top carbon offset providers to erase it completely.
Plastic litters our oceans, highways, and our earth as a whole, but the devastating effects can be limited by simple actions.
Finding small ways to reduce our carbon footprint by switching to products that break down more quickly can have a huge impact on the health and wellness of our planet, the animals who live here, and the people who will be here for generations to come. Compostable trash bags may not be the most obvious place to start, but it sure is a simple way to be a hero to Planet Earth.
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