Written by Eco-Wise Trash Disposal: A Garbage Bag Rethink
You’ve bought less, recycled, and composted, and there’s still garbage that needs to go to the curb.
When selecting an eco-friendly garbage bag, consider the intended disposal method, local composting facilities, and the specific environmental benefits you aim to achieve.
Here’s a ranking of sustainable choices for residential garbage bags from best to worst, based on environmental impact, cost, and availability:
1. No Bag (Direct Disposal)
- Impact: Best option as it reduces plastic use to zero.
- Cost: $0 (No bag needed).
- Availability: Widely feasible if local waste management accepts loose garbage. Some regions require bags.
2. Compostable Garbage Bags
- Impact: Made from natural materials (e.g., corn or potato starch), compostable bags break down in residential compost if they are “certified home compostable.” If not, they only break down in composting facilities. In landfills, they won’t decompose due to the lack of oxygen.
- Cost: $0.25–$0.50 per bag (average).
- Availability: Readily available online and in major stores, though more expensive than plastic bags.
3. Biodegradable Plastic Bags
- Impact: These bags are designed to degrade faster than conventional plastic, but they still require specific conditions (e.g., sunlight, oxygen) that aren’t always present in landfills. They can fragment into microplastics.
- Cost: $0.10–$0.30 per bag (average).
- Availability: Available in many grocery stores and online, though not universally accepted as more eco-friendly.
4. Recycled Plastic Garbage Bags
- Impact: Made from recycled plastic, these bags still end up in landfills, but they reduce the demand for virgin plastic production. They are a more sustainable option than conventional plastic bags.
- Cost: $0.08–$0.15 per bag (average).
- Availability: Commonly available in supermarkets and online.
5. Regular Plastic Garbage Bags
- Impact: Conventional plastic bags are made from non-renewable resources (e.g., petroleum) and take hundreds of years to degrade in landfills. They are the least sustainable option.
- Cost: $0.05–$0.10 per bag (average).
- Availability: Easily available everywhere.
From Eco-Wise Trash Disposal: Garbage Bags to My search for the perfect waste bag.