The US population is responsible for approximately 11 million tons of plastic entering our oceans annually. Much of this waste is made up of products the average person uses without thinking twice about it - like plastic garbage bags. Thankfully, plastic bags are something we as a society can easily swap out for something more eco-friendly. With compostable trash bags, you can safely take care of your waste while shrinking your carbon footprint.
Not sure how composting is good for the environment? Composting allows us to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfills, much of which can end up polluting our oceans and contributing to climate change. With many bags made from biodegradable materials, you can simply dispose of them through home composting with an outdoor bin or electric composter. To help you find the perfect bag for your household, we’ll be covering these topics:
Table of contents
So, is compostable plastic really compostable? How do you dispose of your own bags at home? Before we answer these questions, let’s discuss the difference between compostable and biodegradable bags.
Compostable vs biodegradable trash bags: what’s the difference?
The key difference between compostable vs biodegradable bags is that compostable bags require certain conditions to break down while biodegradable bags break down on their own. When comparing their environmental impact, it’s important to note that bags made of biodegradable plastic can leave behind toxic waste.
So, are compostable trash bags better for the environment than biodegradable bags? Yes, but there’s only a real difference if the biodegradable bags are made from plant material or not. Are compostable bags biodegradable? Also yes. All compostable material is biodegradable, but not all biodegradable material is compostable. Some bioplastics and biodegradable plastics are compostable if brought to industrial facilities, but you can easily compost biodegradable bags made from plant material at home. Another important question - are kitchen garbage bags recyclable? Though plastic shopping bags can be recycled at some local grocery stores, the same isn’t true of used garbage bags.
You may find yourself wondering, are compostable trash bags worth it? Yes, and composting in general is worth the effort. Thankfully composting biodegradable trash bags couldn’t be easier, as every compostable trash bag on our list can be added to a compost pile. There are also several Lomi approved items that can be broken down by the compact and efficient Lomi electric composter.
Our top picks for compostable & biodegradable garbage bags
We encourage you to read through our more detailed product recommendations in the next section. If you don’t have the time and just want to know our top picks, no problem! These compostable trash bags are among the best eco-friendly products to add to your household.
- Best biodegradable kitchen trash bags: Simply Clean Compostable Waste Bags
- Best biodegradable drawstring trash bags: SUPERBIO Compostable Kitchen Bags
- Best small compostable trash bags: Repurpose Compostable Small Bin Bag
- Best 13 gallon large compostable trash bags: For Good Tall Kitchen Bags
- Best biodegradable yard waste bags: Repurpose 13 Gallon Waste Bags
If you’d like to learn more about these bags and a few of our other recommendations, you’ll find what you’re looking for below!
10 best compostable trash bags for your kitchen
Looking for a biodegradable bag that functions as well as your typical plastic bag? These high-quality products are sure to impress. Without further ado, here are our top 10 recommendations for compostable bags.
1. ANECO 100% Compostable Trash Bags
ANECO’s compostable trash bags are made exclusively with plastic-free materials. They come in a few sizes, including 2.6 and 3 gallons, which are more suitable for single users or small families. They’re among the cheapest compostable trash bags out there, as there’s 100 bags in each box. You can count on these bags to hold your waste until it’s time to swap it out.
|
What we love |
What we don’t love |
|
|
2. Simply Clean Compostable Waste Bags
Simply Clean offers compostable waste bags in several sizes, including 3, 4, 13, and 33 gallons. That means you can find an environmentally-friendly waste bag for everything from a small kitchen bin to a large outdoor compost bin. This is a great all-around bag, as it’s durable, reliable, and can hold a large amount of waste. These waste bags can also be broken down quickly at home using a Lomi kitchen composter.
|
What we love |
What we don’t love |
|
|
3. For Good Tall Kitchen Bags
FOR GOOD’s 13 gallon kitchen bags are an excellent choice for households that create a lot of waste. They’re large and user-friendly, with a drawstring feature that makes them easy to close and helps to reduce odor. They are 1.1mm thick, making them more resistant to leaks than your average compostable bag. They also sell 4 gallon versions of the same bag, which are just as reliable but naturally hold less waste. Once you’re finished with them, you can put them into a Lomi composter to be broken down in less than a day.
|
What we love |
What we don’t love |
|
|
4. SUPERBIO Compostable Kitchen Bags
If you want to swap out your plastic trash bags with something just as high-quality, you’ll like SUPERBIO’s compostable bags. These eco friendly bags are made entirely of compostable materials. They offer a convenient handle tie and are easy to transport to your compost pile or bin. If stored in proper conditions, they have an impressive shelf life of 18 months.
|
What we love |
What we don’t love |
|
|
5. Repurpose 13 Gallon Waste Bags
Need biodegradable bags that handle both food and yard waste? Repurpose’s 13 gallon compostable trash bags might be for you. You can use them for your trash can or take them outdoors to clean up fallen leaves and other debris. They’re two inches longer than most regular plastic bags and have a star-sealed bottom to prevent leaks. You can use Lomi to break down this bag, which is much more efficient than bringing it to an industrial composting facility or waiting for it to decompose in a compost pile.
|
What we love |
What we don’t love |
|
|
6. Inwaysin Biodegradable Trash Bags
Inwaysin’s biodegradable trash bags are very budget-friendly, with many of their bags coming in boxes of 200+. They have sizes for trash cans of most sizes ranging from 1.2 to 13 gallons. These unscented and non-toxic bags also have a star sealed bottom to prevent against spills, though they might still tear if too much waste is added.
|
What we love |
What we don’t love |
|
|
7. UNNI 100% Compostable Bags
These non-toxic bags are made from plant starches and are very user-friendly. They’re very resistant to leak and tears, though they tend to decompose quite quickly. You shouldn’t have any problems if you swap the bag out semi-regularly. They come in a wide range of sizes, so it should be easy finding the right fit for your household.
|
What we love |
What we don’t love |
|
|
8. Repurpose Compostable Small Bin Bag
Not every household needs a big 13 gallon trash bag for their waste. Thankfully Repurpose also makes a 3 gallon version of their larger compostable bags. The only major difference is their size, as they share all of the best features of the 13 gallon bag. This includes the star-sealed bottom and recyclable packaging. Like the larger version, they’re also Lomi Approved and can be broken down in the device.
|
What we love |
What we don’t love |
|
|
9. AYOTEE Ultra Strong Unscented Garbage Bags
These AYOTEE biodegradable trash bags offer several options between mini 1.2 gallon bags and huge 15 gallon bags. If you need something small that’s still spacious enough to hold a fair amount of waste, they have multiple great options. They’re also very affordable with over 100 bags in each box.
|
What we love |
What we don’t love |
|
|
10. GreFusion Compostable Trash Bags
GreFusion’s trash bags are a great budget-friendly option, regardless of the size you choose. Each box (under 18 gallon sizes) comes with well over 100 bags to a box, so you can stock up on these bags without breaking the bank. The variety in size is especially convenient, as you can find smaller bags for kitchen waste, larger bags for yard waste, and more. They’re a good option for anyone that doesn’t want to spend a lot of money on quality compostable waste bags.
|
What we love |
What we don’t love |
|
|
Try Lomi - a convenient way to break down compostable items at home
Buying compostable products like biodegradable and compostable bags is a great way to reduce your plastic usage. That said, you’ll still need somewhere to dispose of these items. If you don’t have the space for backyard composting or want a more efficient method of breaking down these products, check out Lomi. Using heat, oxygen, and abrasion, this electric composter can quickly and silently break down food scraps and Lomi approved bioplastics. This includes many of the compostable bags listed above!
If you want to make the environment a priority in your life, it’s time to swap out your black plastic garbage bags for environmentally friendly trash bags you can depend on. There are different bags that could be considered eco friendly, like reusable trash bags. However, these bags can cause mold and bad odors if not cleaned properly. You’re better off with something low maintenance like compostable bags.
There’s really no downside to making this change. Compostable and biodegradable trash bags work just as well as your usual plastic bags, plus they can be disposed of in a kitchen composter afterward. Once you know what can go into Lomi, you can use it to its full potential. It’s a great tool to help you as you try to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Written by: E Sawden