Top 5 Biodegradable Garbage Bags That Are Better Choices For Our Planet
Dispose of garbage in an eco-friendly way that is kinder to the Earth.
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Most of us don’t think about how our trash bags break down. According to sources, approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide. That is more than 1 million bags being used every minute.
Currently, 100 billion plastic bags pass through the hands of U.S. consumers every year – almost one bag per person each day. Laid end-to-end, they could circle the equator 1,330 times.
And traditional garbage bags take hundreds if not thousands of years to break down, taking an unfortunate toll on the environment and the well-being of the planet at large.
But there is a solution to this worldwide crisis. Biodegradable garbage bags that cut down the process of breaking down from thousands of years to only a few are environmentally responsible and leave a small footprint that is kinder to the Earth.
Yet, with several options available on the market, how do you know which to choose? Our editors compared leading biodegradable garbage bags to help you make this decision.
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Editor Rating
9.9
Overall Ranking
A +
As BagUps says, its biodegradable garbage bags are like tissue boxes for trash bags! BagUps are as convenient as they sound, using an innovative, patented dispensing system with the next one automatically popping up and ready to go. That means changing bags is as easy as pulling up tissues from a box.
Plus, they are ASTM D6954-04 certified, biodegradable, and are packaged in a recyclable cardboard box. Unlike traditional garbage bags that can take up to thousands of years to break down, BagUps fully degrade into worm food within 24 to 36 months. Therefore, they are a smart, sustainable and environmentally thoughtful choice that makes an effort to protect our environment.
And even better, they are an ethically responsible option. BagUps is 100% made in the USA and veteran-owned and operated, supporting efforts to employ veterans and people with disabilities who pack and assemble them.
BagUps also makes it easy to replenish your garbage bags with a subscription service with full control over the number of bags you need to order and how often you would like to receive them. They also come in 13 gallon and 30 gallon sizes, perfect for use in the kitchen or outdoors as a multipurpose or lawn and leaf bag. And for a limited time, if you subscribe now, you can enjoy 15% off!
Pros
- Certified green bags that are ASTM D6954-04 certified and degrade into worm food in 24 to 36 months
- Patented dispensing systems makes it easy to access the next bag, automatically popping up
- 100% veteran-owned and operated company supports efforts to employ veterans and people with disabilities
- Available in customizable size
- 100% made in the USA
Cons
- No ties on bag; there is however, extra slack on the bag to close the bag using the bag itself
THE BOTTOM LINE
BagUps is, without a doubt, our top choice. It helps preserve the environment, while making garbage disposal easier and more convenient through an innovative dispensing system. It is also a mission-driven, human-focused product that strives to improve the lives of veterans and the disabled so that they can be defined by their quality of work and not their disability.
Editor Rating
8.0
Overall Ranking
B +
HoldOn Bags are plant-based, 100% home compostable garbage bags made with cornstarch, offering a heavy duty and convenient garbage disposal option that is also gentler to the environment. HoldOn’s garbage bags are also BPI certified and non-toxic, reducing greenhouse emissions.
They are available in packs of 40 for kitchen trash can packs of 50 for smaller space trash disposal.
Pros
- 100% home compostable bags
- Made of plant-based materials
- Strong and durable
- BPI certified
- Non-toxic
Cons
- Other options are competitive while offering more benefits with more convenience and supporting human-focused efforts.
THE BOTTOM LINE
HoldOn Bags is a durable and eco-conscious option that helps preserve the environment. However, as other competitive options also feature a dispensing system for easier changing of garbage bags and offer support for our troops and the disabled, we had to lower our rating.
Editor Rating
7.0
Overall Ranking
B -
Public Goods’ 100% biodegradable garbage bags are 45 landfill friendly aka oxo-biodegradable and are composed entirely of raw recycled materials with no conventional plastics for an eco-conscious option that is kinder to the Earth. Public Goods claims that while its material is sturdy and durable enough to conveniently dispose of your garbage, as it is biodegradable, it will fully degrade within 5 years. These bags are available in13 gallon and 28 gallon size options.
Pros
- 100% oxo-biodegradable
- Made of 100% raw recycled materials
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Takes longer to degrade than other options; will break down within 5 years
- Lacks convenience of other competitive options with no automatic dispensing system
THE BOTTOM LINE
While Public Goods’ biodegradable garbage bags are a sturdy and eco-friendly option for disposing of your garbage, they will take longer to fully degrade than other competitive options. They also lack certain innovative features that make for more convenient use.
Editor Rating
6.2
Overall Ranking
C
Grove Co. takes a different approach to sustainable, eco-friendly garbage disposal with its 100% recycled plastic trash bags. Composed of 100% reclaimed plastic already on its way to the landfill, they are an environmentally friendly choice that helps avoid extra waste. These sustainable garbage bags are also BPA-Free, produced in the USA and available in 13-gallon and 30-gallon sizes.
Pros
- Made of 100% recycled plastic materials
- BPA-Free
- Certified B Corporation
- Made in the USA
- Proceeds support efforts to clean up US rivers and waterways
Cons
- Not sturdy enough; customers complained that the bags are too thin, easily rip and the handles break with too much pressure on them
THE BOTTOM LINE
Grove Co.’s garbage bags take a unique approach to an eco-friendly and sustainably crafted garbage bag featuring material made of reclaimed plastic. However, they lose points for their flimsier construction that easily rips, tears, and gives way with too much weight.
Editor Rating
6.2
Overall Ranking
C
Seventh Generation’s Strong Tall Kitchen Drawstring Bags claims that its Gencore 3-layer technology makes for tear-resistant durable construction while its 65% post-consumer recycled plastic material makes it an eco-friendly option for garbage disposal. It is also Leaping Bunny Certified and fragrance-free.
Pros
- Features 65% post-consumer recycled plastic
- Leaping Bunny Certified
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- Poor quality is too thin, tears easily and makes them difficult to use.
THE BOTTOM LINE
While Seventh Generation’s recycled plastic material makes it an eco-conscious option that is kinder to the Earth, it simply does not hold up. Customers complained that with the poor quality and thin material of these garbage bags, they tear easily at the seams with the contents easily spilling out.
Anita Quinn
Anita Quinn (31) is a Staff Writer for The Daily Post focusing on Beauty, Fashion, and Health. Her extensive traveling for various environmental and wildlife conservation groups has taken her to 24 countries and 37 U.S. states. The three things she packs for every trip are: a good mystery novel, a moisturizer with a high SPF, and her mother's old camera.
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