Are biodegradable garbage bags as freakishly cool as people make them out to be?. Between them and compostable trash bags, which is better?. Let’s find out in this post.
Ever heard of the popular computer science expression ‘garbage in, garbage out?.’ If you haven’t, it means that the poor input of data determines the poor output you receive from a computer. Now, apply this concept to the environment—you get the memo?.
So, what are biodegradable or compostable garbage bags, and why are they suddenly the buzzwords?.
Biodegradable garbage bags are plastic trash can liners that bacteria or other living organisms can decompose to prevent pollution. While compostable trash bags are bioplastic trash can liners produced from plant-based resources that easily convert into compost.
Today, the quests for sustainable and reliable methods of waste disposal is gradually making headway. Eco-activists all around the world are actively championing the sustainability course. And as scientists discover more environmentally safe means of disposing of waste, so do eco-lovers. Two major household waste disposal bags that these users recommend are compostable and biodegradable garbage bags. We’ll delve into their differences and determine which of these trash bag liners is more eco-friendly. First, a brief look at the importance of biodegradable and compostable garbage bags.
Importance Of Biodegradable Or Compostable Trash Bags
- Biodegradable or compostable bags are the preferred waste disposal options because they reduce environmental pollution. Unlike most traditional plastic bags, which usually take long periods of time to degrade and will most likely cause environmental hazards.
- These garbage bags are eco-friendly due to the renewable resources they’re made from. Bioplastic(plant-based) materials like corn starch or cellulose are among the major products used to manufacture eco-friendly bags. Unlike regular plastic trash bags that utilize non-renewable fossil fuels.
- When biodegradable or compostable trash bags are put in composting facilities, they’re converted to compost by microbial activities. Which is a very useful resource for enriching the soil.
- Most eco-friendly bags do not emit greenhouse gases like methane which regular plastic trash bags give when they degrade.
Differences Between Biodegradable Garbage Bags And Compostable Trash Bags
| Biodegradable Garbage Bags | Compostable Trash Bags |
| Decomposes slowly and naturally over time with the help of microorganisms. | Decomposes faster under specific conditions eg compost facility, oxygen, and microorganisms. |
| Does not necessarily decompose completely in oceans and landfills, hence causing environmental pollution. | Breaks down completely and converts to compost which enriches the soil and plants. |
| Less expensive | More expensive |
| Produced from traditional petroleum-based plastics which are easily recycled | Produced strictly from specific plant-based materials which turn into compost. |
| Mightt break down into microplastics which are hazardous to health and pollutes the environment. | It’s not harmful to the environment, but instead, adds nutrients to it(soil). |
Now that we’ve cleared up the contrasting attributes of compostable and biodegradable garbage bags, let’s look at their benefits.
Trash liners or garbage bags are bags that we use to line trash cans or waste containers. Overall, they act as a barrier between the cans to stop the spillage of waste and prevent bad odors. Trash liners also ensure the easy disposal of waste and keep the containers fresh and clean, but these trash liners are harmful. Especially the ones made from plastic. When plastic trash can liners are disposed of in landfills, they take hundreds of years to break down, posing negative environmental impacts. Reason biodegradable and compostable trash bags are the better alternatives.
10 Eco-friendly Garbage Bags
There are numerous brands of garbage bag available in the market. Here are some of the top-rated trash bags that meets environmental friendly standards.
1. BioBag Compostable 3 Gallon Food Waste Bags
BioBag is a certified Norwegian brand that produces compostable trash bags, caddy liners, bin liners and food storage products. The BioBag 3 Gallon trash liner is one of those products. It is produced from a blend of bioplastic resin called Mater-Bi®, which uses plant-based, non-organic materials like corn starch and a variety of biodegradable or compostable polymers. BioBag contains 100 compostable food scrap bags.
2. UNNI 100% Compostable Trash Bags
UNNI 100% compostable trash bags are manufactured by UNNI LLC, an American biodegradable products company. The garbage bags are biodegradable, eco-friendly and easy to use. There are 50 pieces of biodegradable garbage bags inside each pack.
3. BIOOK 100% Compostable & Biodegradable Trash Bags
One thing is to purchase a trash bag liner labelled ‘compostable,’ another thing is for it to convert into compost at home. There are compostable bags designed to break down only in compost facilities, while some can breakdown in the home, provided the necessary conditions like moisture, air, etc are present.
BIOOK is a certified producer of biodegradable garbage bags. And the BIOOK100% trash bags are easy to use home compost bin liners. It’s a 5.3 gallon trash bags that contains roughly 90 pieces of biodegradable garbage bags.
4. Seventh Generation Trash Bags
The Seventh Generation trash liners are recyclable biodegradable garbage bags designed for convenient waste disposal. It is a 13 gallon trash can liner that comes with drawstring closures to prevent bad odors.
5. Reli. Compostable Trash Bags
Reli. is a company that manufactures trash bags, food containers, masking films and carry-out bags for homes and businesses. Their 13 gallon compostable garbage bags contains 150 tear resistant bags. These bags are environmentally friendly and compostable in compost facilities.
6. ProGreen 100% Compostable Bags
This 2.6 gallon compostable trash bags from ProGreen is made purely from biodegradable plants and vegetables. There are a total of 100 bags inside each pack of ProGreen 100% Compostable bag.
7. Duro Brown Printed Paper Retail Grocery Shopping Bags with Handles
Duro brown printed trash bags are recyclable paper fiber trash bags from Duro brand. It contains 25 pieces of compostable, printed paper trash bags with handles and they’re entirely reusable.
8. FULL CIRCLE Fresh Air Biodegradable Compost Bag
This biodegradable garbage bags from Full Circle are certified by the BPI (biodegradable products institute) for the proper disposal of food waste. Full Circle Fresh Air are 2.5 trash bags containing about 25 bags in each pack.
9. Green Earth Compostable garbage bags
A 13 gallon compostable trash bag capable of breaking down in compost facilities and at home. Although, they’re mainly broken down at commercial compost facilities. The Green Earth compostable garbage bags contains 50 bags per roll.
10. STOUT by Envision EcoSafe-6400 Compostable Bags
Another biodegradable trash bag with high recommendation is STOUT by Envision’s Ecosafe-6400 trash bags. The 13 gallon capacity trasg bags are compostable and takes about 10 to 45 days to degrade. It comes in a pack of 45 trash bags.