5 Reasons Why Your Business Needs Biodegradable Trash Bags 5 Gallon？

The Truth About Biodegradable Trash Bags ' and the Compostable Alternative

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Plastic has changed our world. It has touched almost every facet of our lives from the way we drink, live, eat, care for our sick, package items, carry our belongings, etc. A great deal of it has brought powerful, important changes. However, today we are better educated about the negative impact it can have on the environment. We also recognize improperly discarded plastic is one of the most urgent problems facing the environment today. Plastics accounted for 12 percent of the 292 million tons of municipal solid waste generated in the U.S. in , totaling some 35.7 million tons. However, the volume of plastic waste recycled in the U.S. that year was 3.1 million tons, giving a recycling rate of just 8.7 percent. 

Being so aware of this conflict is what drives our commitment to finding greener ways of dealing with trash, especially when it comes to the production and disposal of plastic bags. It has also driven innovation: biodegradable plastic bags have been inspired by the need for environmental change. But like all new technologies, a great deal of information has been misunderstood. There are still some 'secrets' surrounding the world of biodegradable trash bags. 

Secret #1: The term 'biodegradable' (and sister terms) is often misunderstood.  

To best define what 'biodegradable' means in the trash bag world, comparisons can help to better understand what it is and what it is not. 

'Regular' trash bags are made from a synthetic material created from petrochemicals. Without boring you with the science that fascinates us ' basically, the long polymer chains in traditional plastics like polyethylene are so resilient and resistant to breakdown that they can last for hundreds of years. These are the dirty holdouts of the plastic world ' the ones that will be around for generations. 

Biodegradable plastic is also made from petrochemicals BUT is manufactured differently so that it can begin to break down more quickly in the presence of air and sunshine. You might see this plastic labeled as photodegradable or oxo-degradable.

Bioplastic is a biobased plastic that comes from renewable biomass, meaning plants. It is made from organic, renewable sources, such as vegetable oils, corn starch and grains. It is even made sometimes from algae and seaweed! 

Secret #2: Biodegradables are the 'Wild West' of trash bags.

One of the first problems with 'biodegradable plastic' was that, in the early days, there was no consensus on what qualified as biodegradable and therefore it has evolved in a way that is not regulated. 

Dubious claims abounded as companies rushed to get on the green bandwagon and made all kinds of promises to consumers that were simply not true.

Eventually, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stepped in with a strict set of guidelines defining exactly what could and could not be labeled as biodegradable. For a full explanation, you can take a look at the 'Truth in Advertising' section of the FTC Green Guides here, but in short, when the term  'biodegradable' is used for marketing purposes, it includes a time component regarding the length of time it takes for the plastic to fully degrade. According to the EPA, an item truly qualifies as 'biodegradable' if the items completely decompose within one year after customary disposal. Items that are customarily disposed of in landfills , incinerators and recycling facilities are deceptive because these locations do not present conditions in which complete decomposition will occur within one year. 

Even today, while the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM International) sets definitions and standards (which we'll discuss in a minute), and the Federal Trade Commission is responsible for enforcement against false or deceptive product labeling,  there is little solid standard and burden of proof for biodegradability since so much is on the consumer to dispose properly. 

That is because so much of a bag being biodegradable depends on'

Secret #3: Location, location, location. 

One of THE MOST important aspects of using biodegradable products is where and how it is disposed. Beyond how a bag is manufactured or what it is composed of, the location of its final destination will also define the effectiveness of the product. 

Most biodegradable garbage bags end up in landfills but the conditions in a landfill are extremely hostile to the biodegrading process. Nothing is meant to decompose there: air, moisture and sunlight, the three factors most necessary to decomposition, are purposely kept out of landfills to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.Instead, a biodegradable trash bag must be disposed of in a place where it can receive the proper amount of oxygen and airflow. Many customers are unaware that landfills, incinerators and recycling facilities DO NOT offer this. Therefore, to complete its 'destiny' as a biodegradable bag, it must be disposed of properly ' typically in an industrial-grade composting facility.  

Simply put, you cannot send biodegradable bags to a landfill and expect it to have any positive environmental impact. They will overstay their welcome on this planet like regular plastic.

Secret #4: The dream job of all biodegradables is 'bio-assimilation.'

The ideal function of a biodegradable garbage bag or any bag striving to be a good environmental citizen is bio-assimilation. If a bag "bio-assimilates,' it means that the plastic has degraded to a molecular weight that can be consumed by living organisms. Imagine'trash as food. Only when there is no trash of the bag left behind have we received the final nirvana. This final and conclusive stage of plastic biodegradation leaves behind no microplastics, in both marine and terrestrial environments. 

Secret #5:  You may be saying 'biodegradable' when in reality you want compostable. 

We like to say that a compostable bag is a 'lazy environmentalist's' dream ' it does all the work with far less human confusion.  

Because of its unique chemical properties, compostable trash bags will do just that: turn to compost more easily.  In other words, you can't just throw a biodegradable trash bag on your compost pile and think it will decompose. It can't ' the temperature won't get hot enough. But compostable trash bags will turn into compost sometimes, right in your own backyard. (Please note: If your compostable bag can be used at home, the label will indicate that the product is okay for home composting.) To learn more about composting at home and how to do it right, visit EPA Guide to Composting.

Otherwise, generally, compostable waste bags are intended to be sent to an industrial or commercial composting facility that contains higher temperatures and different breakdown conditions than those found in a typical homeowner's compost bin. Again, don't expect a compostable trash bag to break down in your backyard composter unless it specifically says it's suitable for home composting use.A great first step is to check if your community has a residential compost collection program. They will be able to help you better understand whether compostable garbage bags will be accepted under this program.Shop Our Collection of Compostable Trash Bags Here

Secret #6: Look for compliance with the ASTM D standard to help you determine when garbage bags are actually compostable.

The ASTM D standard is the best indicator to use if you're hunting for compostable trash bags. This standard defines what plastics should be called 'compostable' according to how much of a given plastic bag decomposes within a set amount of time, given the right conditions like heat and moisture. 

One easy way to find out if a product is compliant with this standard is to look for plastic products with the BPI Certified Compostable logo. The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) is an independent environmental group that works with bioplastics businesses to test and certify their products as biodegradable or compostable. If your trash can liners are BPI Certified Compostable, as Plasticplace's compostable trash bags are, you can be confident that they've been put through rigorous third-party testing to confirm their ASTM D compliance.

Note that a BPI/ASTM certification only tells you whether a product will undergo degradation in industrial and municipal composters. Many BPI-certified products still aren't intended for backyard composting, so once again, don't put a compostable trash bag into the backyard compost with your food scraps. If you're really curious about the trashy details, you can read up on the BPI's labeling guidelines.

All that aside, compostable trash bags are the number one choice for anyone seeking an eco-friendly trash bag option. They can take a big bite out of your home or business's plastic footprint, and they're especially important for California residents taking part in the state's mandatory composting program. Naturally, this is why all of Plasticplace's compostable garbage bags are BPI certified for ASTM D compliance!

Secret #7: Compostable trash bags need to be filled with compost.

Remember that non-compostable trash should never go into a compostable trash bag. If you send your local compost facility a compostable trash bag filled with non-compostable plastic waste, like plastic grocery bags, that waste has no path to its proper spot in the landfill. It will end up as a contaminant at your compost facility. Instead, fill your compostable garbage bags with traditional compost materials like food waste and yard waste (plus any other certified compostable materials you might need to throw away). Check your local composting center's regulations to verify what kind of materials they do and don't accept.

Secret #8: Biodegradable concepts perpetuate single-use plastic use. 

The concept that we are buying a 'biodegradable' bag or 'environmentally friendly' bag allows us to use one-time plastics more 'guilt-free.'  This mentality can lead to an increase in plastic use. Once it's understood that a biodegradable bag will still have a significant environmental impact, especially when improperly disposed of, it is easier to accept the importance of minimizing one-time plastic use and recycling.  

Foremost, when possible, select reusable products instead of disposable ones.  

Why do we need eco-friendly trash bags? When we think of plastic and ridding it from our homes, we're quick to think of single-use plastics like straws, cups, and bags from the grocery store, but what about the single-use plastics that everything gets thrown away in?

Plastic is harmful to the planet. While they might receive as much criticism as, say, a plastic water bottle, trash bags also have a significant impact on our planet. Most are made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which is made from fossil fuels and has been known to break down into dangerous microplastics. 

Unfortunately, as we've started to do away with plastic bags from grocery stores, we've seen an increase in the use of plastic trash bags, up to 120% according to Terrapass.

Fortunately, there are earth-friendly alternatives. We'll explore exactly what makes for a sustainable trash bag, recommend some top brands, and provide tips for how you can make a DIY version of an eco-friendly trash bag.  

Compostable vs Biodegradable 

Typical single-use plastic bags take hundreds of years to break down. 

Eco-friendly trash bags, on the other hand, are either compostable or biodegradable. There's generally some confusion between the two, so let's break these terms down further (pun intended). 

• Biodegradable: According to Merriam-Webster, biodegradable products are 'capable of being broken down especially into innocuous products by the action of living things (such as microorganisms).'

Essentially, these 'innocuous' products are the natural elements an eco-friendly trash bag might break down into. Microorganisms will transform your green trash bag into earth-friendly biomass, carbon dioxide, and water. 

According to Federal Trade Commission guidelines, products labeled as biodegradable must break down into elements found in nature within one year. 

However, bear in mind that most landfills are bustling with toxic chemicals'not trash bag-consuming microorganisms. Additionally, when biodegradable materials breakdown in anaerobic conditions (like in a packed landfill), they release methane'which is 84 times more potent than CO2 (Environmental Defense Fund). 

*For this reason, if you're going to be sending your trash bags to a landfill, using 100% recycled plastic bags is better than compostable or biodegradable trash bags. 

For more Biodegradable Trash Bags 5 Galloninformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

• Compostable (the better option): The Cambridge Dictionary describes compostable as, 'something that is compostable and can be used as compost when it decays.'

Compostable materials are biodegradable, but they go one step further and are much better from an environmental standpoint. Compostable items are those that break down into non-toxic components, but can only do so in home or commercial compost facilities.

Many compostable products adhere to at least one standard, most commonly the American Compostable Standard (ASTM).

• ASTM D: the material biodegrades at an approved rate and produces usable compost (the composting standard)
• ASTM D: ALL parts of the material will compost in a municipal facility within 180 days and will not have adverse impacts
• ASTM D: the material will degrade into biomass, not fossil fuel components

Other certifications include the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) Logo, Cradle to Cradle (C2C), and TÜV OK Compost (one for industrial and home compostability). You can find a local compost facility using this website. 

7 Top Choices for Eco-Friendly Trash Bags

1. GreenPolly 13 Gallon Kitchen Trashbags

These bright blue trash bags are made from 90% certified post-consumer recycled plastic along with 10% bioplastic made from renewable sugarcane. The bags are durable and have a drawstring closure. They also come in a recycled cardboard box. 

These are a better option for anyone sending their trash to a landfill.

Available: EarthHero

2. Biobag 23 Gallon Compostable Bin Liner

Biobag makes a green trash bag that is made from biodegradable bioplastics, including those derived from plant starch, vegetable oils, and compostable polymers.

They are certified compostable by the BPI logo and meet ASTM D criteria, meaning that they compost rapidly and safely in a commercial composting facility. They also come in a recycled box and are completely plastic-free, GMO-free, and BPA-free. 

These are a better option for anyone sending their trash to a commercial composting facility.

Available: EarthHero

3. WasteZero 100% Reclaimed Plastic Small Trash Bag

This family-owned business uses post-consumer recycled material to make 100% reclaimed plastic trash bags. The bags are non-toxic, BPA-free, and better for Earth. 

They're also manufactured in the United States by a Certified B Corporation, and are great for anyone who doesn't want to spend an arm and a leg on trash bags. 

These are a better option for anyone sending their trash to a landfill.

Available: Thrive Market

4. WasteZero 100% Compostable Kitchen Trash Bag

The same company also makes 100% compostable kitchen trash bags. They are also non-toxic and BPA free, but are additionally certified by BPI to be fully compostable. 

These are a better option for anyone sending their trash to a commercial composting facility.

Available: Thrive Market

5. UNNI ASTM D 100% Compostable Trash Bags

These green trash bags are certified compostable in both the United States and in Europe, and they adhere to BPI, ASTM, and TÜV OK Compost standards.

They're made from some of the highest bio-based content found in trash bags and include no polyethylene. They use non-toxic plant starches instead of polyethylene and are some of the few trash bags that can be composted in home composting facilities. 

These are a better option for anyone sending their trash to a home/commercial composting facility.

Available: Amazon

6. ProGreen 100% Compostable Bags

Here are some more green bags that adhere to BPI, ASTM, and TÜV OK Compost standards. Additionally, they also meet stricter California and New York state laws. 

The bags are made with plant material instead of polyethylene and they'll slowly break down naturally to keep our Earth healthy. They're stronger and more flexible than many other compostable bags, too.

These are a better option for anyone sending their trash to a home/commercial composting facility.

Available: Amazon

7. Reli. Compostable Trash Bags

These eco-friendly green trash bags can be used in Municipal and Industrial composting facilities and are made from plant-based materials. They are certified by ASTM D. 

The unique plant starch blend is suitable for composting, but should not be exposed to water, sunlight, or high temperatures, otherwise they may begin to break down. 

These are a better option for anyone sending their trash to a commercial composting facility.

Available: Amazon

DIY Eco-Friendly Trash Bags

As can be seen in the biodegradability versus compostability debate, there isn't a perfect solution when it comes to eco-friendly trash bags. In fact, the best thing we can do for our planet is to go without a trash bag entirely.

If you are recycling everything that can be recycled and composting all of your food scraps, using a washable and reusable trash can instead of trash bags is the best way to dispose of your rubbish. 

If going sans bag is difficult for you, consider using a newspaper instead. If we go back a few decades, everyone was using newspapers to line their garbage can. Perhaps it's time we bring back these old trends. 

Here is how you can use an origami technique to make a recycled newspaper garbage liner, courtesy of Improvised Life. 

Don't have a lot of newspapers lying around? No worries, just consider asking for paper instead of plastic next time you go to the grocery store and use those instead of plastic trash bags. In a landfill, paper bags will only take about two to six weeks to decompose!  

Final Thoughts on Eco-Friendly Trash Bags

Taking out the trash definitely isn't glamorous, but it can be environmentally friendly. If you have any other sustainable trash tips, we'd love to hear them! 

For more information, please visit Biodegradable Trash Bags 30 Gallon.