The researchers suggest that standards need to be developed for compostable, biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable materials, such as clearly outlining appropriate disposal and the rates of degradation that can be expected.

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The lack of consumer education about the differences between compostable, biodegradable and oxo-biodegradable materials and where to properly dispose of them, coupled with a lack of facilities to deal with their decomposition, further challenges the notion that these products are better for the environment.

But that should not be the end of the conversation. We need to challenge the single-use product model itself.

Will we save the Earth with a better kind of disposable bag? SINGLE-USE vs REUSE

As resistance to the plastic epidemic swells and cities and countries carry out bans against single-use plastic products worldwide, we need to carefully consider the implications of this research study. At the heart of the issue remains a key question: is the single-use, throwaway model sustainable in the first place?

“The problem is not just plastic: it is mass disposability. Or, to put it another way, the problem is pursuing, on the one planet known to harbour life, a four-planet lifestyle. Regardless of what we consume, the sheer volume of consumption is overwhelming the Earth’s living systems.” - George Monbiot, We Won’t Save the Earth With a Better Kind of Disposable Coffee Cup

Last year, someone tweeted at Starbucks to request they replace their plastic coffee cups with cups made from corn starch. This tweet was retweeted over 60,000 times before being deleted when someone raised a big red flag: those who were supporting this call failed to consider the environmental impacts of producing corn starch. As it turns out, an enormous amount of land needs to be cleared to grow it, displacing food production. Growing corn is also notorious for causing soil erosion and requires heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers.

At this stage in the game, it might be beneficial for us to carefully consider what comes after plastic. The impacts of growing and harvesting raw materials, producing the single-use item in a factory and shipping it all over the world just so someone can use it once and throw it away needs to be picked apart and examined.

Humans living in capitalistic societies have a tendency to unleash products on the world without giving much thought as to, you know, whether or not there are facilities available to properly deal with that compostable bag. Or effective ways to collect these single-use items in the first place - technically we have recycling facilities for plastic bags, and yet plastic bags continue to find their way into the ocean. So clearly it’s not just a matter of infrastructure.

Is the problem with the material, or with a model of consumption that relies on disposability and the infinite production of stuff?

“People have to buy less. Our economy is based on endless growth, endless production of what our landfills tell us is basically junk. The stuff wouldn't be in them if it wasn't junk…our economy is already failing us in the way it messes up the planet in the service of all this crap. The cycle just keeps going: manufacture, consume, discard.” Daniel Hoornweg, Canada’s Dirty Secret

Perhaps models that privilege reuse over single-use are a bigger part of the solution than simply pumping out a “better” kind of disposable product.

May 2 through May 8, 2021 marks International Compost Awareness Week — an annual week-long educational initiative to get more people composting their food scraps. Composting is a fantastic way to reduce your environmental impact and become closer to zero waste, but there can be a lot of confusion when beginning your composting journey. 

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So in honor of International Compost Awareness Week’s goal of educating people on composting, read on for everything you need to know about the difference between compostable and biodegradable bags, plus a few of the best truly compostable bags on the market.

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Source: Getty Images

Are compostable bags actually compostable?

When it comes to trash bags or dog poop bags that feel like plastic, but are marketed as “compostable” or just “biodegradable,” consumers often wonder if these bioplastic bags actually break down alongside their food scraps, returning to the earth.

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If the packaging claims that the bags are compostable, they theoretically should break down naturally in a compost setting. According to Plastic Place, for bags to claim they are compostable in North America, they must meet requirements set forth by the government, which will earn them the right to state that they are BPI-certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute. BPI claims to be North America’s only third-party tester of ASTM standards for compostable items.

However, many of these compostable bags are only certified compostable in industrial or commercial compost settings — as explained by BioBag, industrial compost settings have two advantages that most home compost bins do not: added heat, and that they are managed by professionals.

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So if you are planning to compost your compostable bags in your backyard, you may only have luck if the bag’s packaging specifically says that it is backyard compostable. 

If the bag says it is only commercially compostable, bring it to be composted somewhere that offers industrial composting, such as your municipality’s compost dropoff bins — just make sure to ask if these bags are accepted.

What about biodegradable bags?

While bags that claim to be compostable are typically certified as such, the phrase biodegradable is much less regulated. So if you have any trash bags or packaging that claim to be biodegradable, figuring out the best way to dispose of them could be a bit tricky — and you probably shouldn't put them in the compost bin.

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According to BioBag, while some biodegradable bags do break down in composting settings, there is a chance they will leave toxic residues behind. Without the third-party certification that is required for compostable bags, biodegradable bags are just not as reliable when it comes to breaking down in composting settings.

Interestingly, many people purchase trash bags or dog poop bags that state they are biodegradable — but then use the bags for garbage, and send them to landfill. While there are valid arguments that these bags are better for the environment than using plastic bags, since bioplastic biodegradable bags are not made from fossil fuels, these bags will still not be able to break down in a landfill, since landfills are anaerobic. In fact, these bags will actually emit greenhouse gases such as methane in a landfill, just like plastic bags (and pretty much everything else in a landfill environment).

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Basically, just because something says biodegradable does not mean that it will break down safely. We recommend sticking to bags certified as compostable by the BPI for any composting purposes — and when it comes to disposing of your garbage, check out our guide to reusable trash bags.

These are some of the best compostable bags.

If you’re looking for truly compostable bags, there are plenty of options out there. 

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One of our favorite choices is a good old upcycled brown paper bag, such as ones you have lying around from past Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s trips. That’s right — because these bags are made with paper, they are able to break down in composting environments and return to nature. If you drop your compost off at your municipality’s compost program, just make sure to ask if brown bags are OK, or if they prefer you rip the bag up before placing it in the bin and after dumping out its contents.

You can also purchase brown bags that are specifically designated for composting, such as these ones by Duro.

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BioBag claims that all of its bags are BPI certified as “home compostable”, because they are able to biodegrade in home composting bins at average temperatures. Theoretically, any bags that are home compostable should be A-OK to use for industrial composting environments as well. You can also shop BioBag’s many bags on EarthHero.

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Stout by Envision’s EcoSafe compostable bags are also BPI certified, and the company finds that they degrade in 10 to 45 days.

Certified B Corp Full Circle Home’s Fresh Air Compostable Waste Bags are BPI certified compostable, and can also be purchased on EarthHero.

While composting your dog’s poop is not always available (since many municipal composting programs do not accept doggie doo), if you do need dog poop bags, check out U.K.-based Beco Pets’ Compostable Dog Poop Bags. The bags are 100 percent plant-based, certified compostable for both home and commercial composting, and are available on EarthHero for U.S. shoppers.

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