10 Best Compostable Trash Bags & Why Conscious Consumers Use Them
As an Amazon Associate, Ecotero earns from qualifying purchases.
Compostable trash bags are the more eco-friendly trash bag choice in the market today.
While typical trash bags are made with single-use plastic materials that becomes a source of micro-plastic, compostable trash bags are made using 100% biodegradable plant-based materials that will become nutrients for soil after disposal.
But is switching to compostable trash bags worth it? Does it really matter?
A recent study revealed that micro-plastics responsible for polluting our soil and destroying marine ecosystems are already in human blood, including babies!
This speaks volumes about how rampant plastic pollution already is.
And if we don’t do something now to reduce plastic use, it might be too late to save the planet for future generations. Wouldn’t you agree?
But of all the compostable trash bags on the market, which are the best for keeping your kitchen clean and reducing plastic trash?
Below are the 10 best compostable trash bags based on overall sustainability, quality, affordability, and customer reviews.
Let’s take a look at your options.
Our Top 1 Pick
For Best Compostable Trash Bags
BioBag 13 Gallon Compostable Trash Bags
- Made from plant starch, vegetable oils, and compostable polymers
- 100% Certified Compostable by Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)
- Dimension: 22.2 inches x 29.0 inches x 0.68 MIL
- Capacity: 13 Gallons
Our Top 2 Pick
For Best Compostable Trash Bags
FORID 8 Gallon Compostable Trash Bags
- Made of 100% plant starch material (PSM)
- Released as water, humus, and CO2 within six months
- Dimension: 23.6 inches x 27.9 inches
- Capacity: 8 Gallons
1. BioBag 13 Gallon Compostable Trash Bags
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Made from plant starch, vegetable oils, and compostable polymers
- Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Certified trash bag
- Dimension: 22.2 inches x 29.0 inches x 0.68 MIL
- Capacity: 13 Gallons
BioBag’s 100% compostable trash bag is manufactured in the USA.
It is made from a resin derived from starches of plants and other biodegradable materials that can be consumed safely by microorganisms living in the soil.
It is also certified compostable by The Biodegradable Products Institute to meet ASTM D6400 Standards.
The ASTM D6400 is the standard specification for solid material biodegradation by composting.
This compostable trash bag can store up to 13 gallons of trash, fits most indoor kitchen compost bins, and is durable and leak-proof.
2. FORID 8 Gallon Compostable Trash Bags
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Made of 100% plant starch material (PSM)
- Released as water, humus, and CO2 within six months
- Dimension: 23.6 inches x 27.9 inches
- Capacity: 8 Gallons
If you’re looking for 8-gallon compostable trash bags, this right here is one of the best.
FORID’s 8-gallon compostable trash bags are made of biomaterial-based on natural renewable plant starch extracts.
Furthermore, the material used for these compostable trash bags complies with the standard ASTM D6400 and the European standard EN 13432.
You can safely throw this trash bag together with organic waste in your compost pile without causing damage to the environment.
Designed to be suitable for most medium bins in the U.S., they are odorless, non-toxic, and 100% compostable.
FORID’s compostable trash bags are also tested to withstand at least 72lbs (33kg) of waste, are not easy to tear, and don’t leak when the wet garbage is loaded.
3. SuperBio 2.6 Gallon Compostable Garbage Bags
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Made from biodegradable polyester
- Certified compostable by BPI, OK Compost, and Seedling from TUV
- Dimension: 16.3 inches x 16.5 inches x 0.67 MIL
- Capacity: Up to 2.6 Gallons
SuperBio bags are certified 100% compostable and biodegradable since they are made from biodegradable polyester, including PLA and PBAT.
These eco-friendly trash bags have been awarded official certificates from BPI, OK Compost, and Seedling from TUV, meeting the US ASTM D6400 standard and the EU EN 13432 standard for compostable materials.
In a standard compost pile, the SuperBio 2.6 Gallon Compostable Garbage Bags will degrade to humus, CO2, and water within 180 days.
But despite being fully compostable, the company ensures the strength and durability of these trash bags.
4. UNNI Small Compostable Trash Bags
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Made from plant starches; contain NO polyethylene
- US BPI and Europe OK Compost Home Certified trash bags
- Dimension: 16.3 inches x 16.5 inches x 0.71 MIL
- Capacity: 2.5 Gallons
These eco-friendly trash bags are made from plant starches and contain NO polyethylene.
It is certified 100% biodegradable in home composting facilities by BPI under U.S. standard ASTM D6400 and the OK Compost Home under European standard EN 13432.
UNNI compostable trash bags are durable, non-toxic, easy to use, and great for the environment.
They are one of the best small compostable trash bags on the market!
5. Doggy Do Good Compostable Dog Poop Bags
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Vegetable-based dog poop bags
- Certified HOME Compostable by OK Compost & TÜV AUSTRIA
- Polyethylene-free and non-toxic
- Dimension: 11 inches x 13.4 inches x 0.80 MIL
Do you have a dog at home? By switching trash bags, you can reduce the trash created when cleaning your dog’s poop and droppings.
Doogy Do Good’s compostable dog poop bags are made using vegetable-based materials.
It is certified HOME Compostable by OK Compost and TÜV AUSTRIA and the Biodegradable Products Institute of Canada.
These eco-friendly poop bags are extra-thick, leak-proof, and superb in keeping the contents and odor inside.
Doogy Do Good is also a proud member of 1% for the Planet.
The company donates a portion of its profit to helping animal welfare and environmental non-profit organizations.
Meanwhile, you can check out more zero waste pet products here.
6. Greener Walker Extra Thick Compostable Trash Bags
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Made of corn starch material, vegetable oils, and PBAT
- European EN13432 and U.S. standard ASTM D6400 certified trash bags
- Dimension: 14.2 inches x 13.8 inches x 0.9 MIL
- Capacity: Up to 1.6 Gallons
Many consumers love Greener Walker’s compostable trash and kitchen waste bags because it is 25% thicker than most competitors.
They are super durable, leak-proof, and will not easily split.
The materials used to create these high-quality trash bags are starch of corn, vegetable oils, and PBAT (fully compostable polymers).
They are also packed in recyclable cartons with zero plastic.
And like the others on this list, Greener Walker’s compostable trash bags meet stringent requirements of municipal composting programs by the European EN13432 and U.S. standard ASTM D6400.
7. UniDonum 100% Compostable & Biodegradable Trash Bags
QUICK OVERVIEW
- 100% compostable trash bag made from corn starch
- Certified compostable by BPI, OK Compost Home, and OK Compost INDUSTRIAL standards
- Dimension: 23.75 inches x 29 inches x 1.25 MIL
- Capacity: 13 Gallons
These eco-friendly trash bags for your kitchen, home, or office are made with biodegradable material derived from corn starch.
With a thickness of 1.25 MIL (31 Microns), the Unidomum trash bags are super heavy-duty and leak-proof.
They are also non-GMO, non-toxic, fit most tall bins, and can be used within one year of purchase.
8. Primode 100% Certified Compostable Kitchen Trash Bags
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Made from plants and vegetables
- Meets BPI and European TUV requirements
- Dimension: 16.3 inches x 16.5 inches x 0.71 MIL
- Capacity: Up to 2.6 Gallons
These small compostable food waste bags are ideal in the kitchen and indoors.
It is made using plant and vegetable-derived materials that will fully biodegrade in nature.
Moreover, Primode’s compostable trash bags meet BPI and European TUV requirements for backyard composting.
Hence, you can clean your kitchen from food scraps and other organic waste without adding more plastic waste.
9. Green Earth Compostable Tall Kitchen Waste Bags
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Made from non-GMO crops
- 100% certified compostable in the U.S. and UK
- Dimension: 23.75 inches x 29.375 inches x 0.9 MIL
- Capacity: 13 Gallons
Green Earth’s compostable trash bags are made of materials derived from GMO-free crops.
They will decompose in home and commercial composting facilities, leaving only nutrient-rich humus, water, and CO2.
They meet the most rigid standards for home, municipal, and commercial composting and are certified under the BPI’s ASTM D6400 specification (in the USA) and OK Compost Home (in the U.K.).
They fit most tall bins and can be used within one year of purchase.
10. Second Nature Bags 3 Gallon Compostable Trash Bags
QUICK OVERVIEW
- Made from renewable BIO-BASED materials
- 100% certified compostable by BPI and OK Home Compost
- Dimension: 16 inches x 17 inches
- Capacity: Up to 3 Gallons
This product is 100% certified compostable for backyard home composting through Vinçotte OK Home Compost, BPI, and ASTM 6400 certifications.
The Second Nature Bags trash bags are made from the highest renewable BIO-BASED materials, including sugar cane, plant starches, and vegetable oils.
They are also designed to be super durable to keep your trash in place and keep your kitchen clean and dry.
These small compostable trash bags are perfect for kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, yard, office, and even as containers for your baby’s biodegradable diapers.
Final Thoughts
Switching to compostable trash bags is a simple, inexpensive step towards a cleaner planet.
Unlike typical plastic trash bags that pollute the planet, compostable trash bags are specially designed to return to Earth and become nutrients for the soil.
With this list of the best compostable trash bags, we hope you find the one that fits your needs.
A quick reminder before we end:
Read the instructions and be mindful of the proper disposal of your compostable trash bags.
Discarding them irresponsibly can cause harm to the environment, which defeats their entire purpose.
For starters, compostable trash bags containing organic waste that is littered can contaminate water supplies.
And if a compostable trash bag ends up in a recycling bin, it can contaminate a whole batch of recyclable trash.
Frequently Asked Questions About Compostable Trash Bags
Are compostable trash bags better for the planet?
Yes. Unlike plastic trash bags and some of the “biodegradable” trash bags, compostable trash bags are intentionally developed from plant-based materials to be compostable.
While it’s true that biodegradable materials do naturally degrade, they sometimes leave non-organic residues (such as microplastic or toxic metals).
Meanwhile, a compostable trash bag will break down into water, carbon, and humus.
Humus is an organic fertilizer full of nutrients and great for plants and soil.
What to look for when shopping for compostable trash bags?
Trash Bag Materials: Check if the compostable trash bag uses natural, biodegradable, plant-based materials.
Compostable Trash Bag Certifications: Check if the product is certified and backed by legitimate authorities on compostable and biodegradable materials like the BPI.
Compostable Trash Bag Size: Buy the trash bag size that fits your needs – don’t settle for one that is too big or too small.
Quality: Opt for compostable trash bags proven by other consumers to be durable and leak-proof.
Have you tested the FORID bags? I don’t think they’re compostable. Also couldn’t find them on any certified list of the agencies that do this certification.