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  • 9 Best Compostable Trash Bags in 2022 (BioBag, Green Earth, and More) 1
  • 9 Best Compostable Trash Bags in 2022 (BioBag, Green Earth, and More) 2
  • 9 Best Compostable Trash Bags in 2022 (BioBag, Green Earth, and More) 3
  • 9 Best Compostable Trash Bags in 2022 (BioBag, Green Earth, and More) 4
  • 9 Best Compostable Trash Bags in 2022 (BioBag, Green Earth, and More) 5

9 Best Compostable Trash Bags in 2022 (BioBag, Green Earth, and More)

The health of the environment is more important now than ever, and alternatives to plastic are popping up everywhere. A great step to take towards minimal waste living is to make your waste itself more eco-friendly. One way to do this is by switching out your plastic trash bags for compostable ones. These bags are made out of materials that will break down and leave less of a footprint on the environment. 

We've done the research on compostable trash bags and what real people who use them had to say about each product. Based on this information, we've curated a list of the nine best compostable trash bags this year. Our favourite is Bag to Nature's Compostable Kitchen Bags! Read to the end to check out our tip about how to stop your garbage from smelling, as well.
Last updated 09/26/2023

Quick List - Top Compostable Trash Bags

1

Biobag

Compostable Countertop Food Scrap Bags100 count
Compostable Countertop Food Scrap Bags

Our Top Choice - Roomy and Well-Made Compostable Trash Bags

2

Unni

100% Compostable Food Scrap Bags100 count
100% Compostable Food Scrap Bags

Best for Large Compost Piles and Quick Decomposition

3

Stout by Envision

Eco-Safe ~6400 Compostable Bags48 count
Eco-Safe ~6400 Compostable Bags

Best Plus-Sized Compostable Trash Bag

4

JTSC Products

JTSC Products 13-Gallon Compostable Trash Bags (100 Count)100 count
JTSC Products 13-Gallon Compostable Trash Bags (100 Count)

Best for Compostable Bag Beginners

5

Green Earth

Green Earth Compostable 13-Gallon Biodegradable Trash Bags (50 Count)50 count, pack of 2
Green Earth Compostable 13-Gallon Biodegradable Trash Bags (50 Count)

Best GMO-Free Compostable Trash Bags

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Table of Contents

How to Choose a Compostable Trash Bag – Buying Guide

With so many compostable trash bags on the market, it may be hard to choose the best one for your needs. We've compiled a buying guide of tips and things to consider when buying a compostable trash bag. Read on below for more!

1

Be Sure it's Compostable, not Biodegradable

Biodegradable and compostable might sound the same, but the difference lies in official certifications, which may matter to you or your community.

Biodegradable Bags Will Break Down but Won't Disappear

Biodegradable Bags Will Break Down but Won't Disappear
Biodegradable trash bags are made of plastic formulated with microorganisms or chemicals that will break them down into smaller pieces. 

Depending on what makes up your biodegradable trash bag, those smaller pieces can become truly tiny and will decompose under the right circumstances.  These types of trash bags are known to break down faster than compostable trash bags might, and can often be a more cost-effective option. 


Unfortunately, the decomposition process for biodegradable trash bags requires light and oxygen, two things they won’t have under a pile of trash in a landfill. It's highly likely that your biodegradable trash bag won't completely break down, and it's also a lot harder to recycle the special plastic that they're made from. 

Compostable Bags Break Down Quickly and are Best if Potato-Based

Compostable Bags Break Down Quickly and are Best if Potato-Based
Unlike biodegradable bags, compostable bags are guaranteed to fully decompose into soil. Keep an eye out specifically for those that are BPI-certified. This means they meet the standards of the Biodegradable Products Institute. Not only are these bags proven to break down, but your city composter will also be sure to accept them.


Don't forget that because these bags are compostable, they’re going to start breaking down pretty quickly if you have any wet, organic matter in them. You’ll need to change your bag fairly often or try to keep food scraps in a separate container.


Either way, if you don't mind trash bags that are a little more fragile, you'll be able to manage your waste knowing that it will leave no footprint behind. Compostable trash bags don't need any chemicals or organisms to begin the decomposing process, so when they break down, it's a fully natural and eco-friendly process. 

2

For Larger Loads, Choose a Thicker Trash Bag

For Larger Loads, Choose a Thicker Trash Bag

If you're going to be throwing away larger amounts of waste, it might be a good idea to check the thickness of your compostable or biodegradable trash bag before you buy it. 


Compostable bags are known to be a little easier to break than biodegradable bags, so if you're looking to carry a lot of trash, you may want to invest in biodegradable bags.

 

Trash bag thickness is often measured in mils, with one mil being about one-thousandth of an inch. Standard trash bags average between 0.7 to two mils thick. In the case of biodegradable or compostable trash bags, you'll want at least one mil of plastic. If you have that much, you should be able to carry larger loads of trash without worry that your trash bag will break. 

3

Remember That Drawstrings and Handles Aren't Normally Included

Remember That Drawstrings and Handles Aren't Normally Included
Compostable trash bags rarely have ties or handles in the way that many traditional trash bags do. Handles and drawstrings are normally made with heftier, more reinforced plastic than the bag itself, so it’s harder for manufacturers to produce these in the same eco-friendly style.


That said, it's good to be aware that unless the box explicitly states that the bags do have drawstrings, you’ll likely be left to tie the corners together on your own. So long as you don't wait until the bag is full to the bursting, however, this shouldn't be too much of a problem. 

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3 Best Compostable Trash Bags

Here are our best three picks for compostable trash bags. These products were carefully selected based on their material, thickness, compostability, and more. Read on for why we liked these great trash bags, as well as for a list of runners-up that can be great for more specific situations.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Biobag

Compostable Countertop Food Scrap Bags100 count

Biobag  Compostable Countertop Food Scrap Bags 1

Our Top Choice - Roomy and Well-Made Compostable Trash Bags

2

Unni

100% Compostable Food Scrap Bags100 count

Unni 100% Compostable Food Scrap Bags 1

Best for Large Compost Piles and Quick Decomposition

3

Stout by Envision

Eco-Safe ~6400 Compostable Bags48 count

Stout by Envision  Eco-Safe ~6400 Compostable Bags 1

Best Plus-Sized Compostable Trash Bag

4

JTSC Products

JTSC Products 13-Gallon Compostable Trash Bags (100 Count)100 count

JTSC Products  JTSC Products 13-Gallon Compostable Trash Bags (100 Count) 1

Best for Compostable Bag Beginners

5

Green Earth

Green Earth Compostable 13-Gallon Biodegradable Trash Bags (50 Count)50 count, pack of 2

Green Earth  Green Earth Compostable 13-Gallon Biodegradable Trash Bags (50 Count) 1

Best GMO-Free Compostable Trash Bags

6

Bag to Nature

Bag to Nature 13-Gallon Compostable Tall Kitchen Bags (50 Count)50 count

Bag to Nature  Bag to Nature 13-Gallon Compostable Tall Kitchen Bags (50 Count) 1

Best for Hefty Use Without Double-Bagging

7

Second Nature Bags

Second Nature Bags 3-Gallon Kitchen Trash Bags (100 Count)100 count, 3 gallon

Second Nature Bags  Second Nature Bags 3-Gallon Kitchen Trash Bags (100 Count) 1

Best for Lengthy Use

8

Primode

30 count

Primode  1

Best for Light Waste or Daily Changes

9

Repurpose Compostables

25 count

Repurpose Compostables  1

Best for Smaller Trash Cans Around the Home

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Biobag
Compostable Countertop Food Scrap Bags100 count

Compostable Countertop Food Scrap Bags 1
Source:amazon.com
Reference price
$18.75
Mid
Reference price
$18.75
Mid

Our Top Choice - Roomy and Well-Made Compostable Trash Bags

BioBag's countertop kitchen scrap trash bags are composed of plant starches and some synthetic but fully compostable polymers. These trash bags are designed to fit into your in-home compost system, so you can keep them on your countertop scrap bin before burying them in your pile outside. 


As with any fully compostable trash bags, users have found that BioBag's products can become fragile when overly full or when left in the trash can for too long. A few customers warn that you should change your bags out every two days at the most, or risk getting trash all over your counter. 


Most people who use these trash bags have found that so long as you store them in a cool place and remove excess moisture from your scraps before putting them in the trash, they work quite well. They also break down admirably in compost piles and are recommended by trash companies! 

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No.2

Unni
100% Compostable Food Scrap Bags100 count

Reference price
$12.95
Low Mid

Best for Large Compost Piles and Quick Decomposition

Unni's compostable trash bags are made completely of plant matter and are BPI-certified for commercial composting and for in-home composting under European standards. While it's unclear what plant starches were used to create these trash bags, their bio-composition ensures breathability and an ethical way to get rid of your trash. 


Some reviewers note that they may be a bit too compostable as food waste left for too long can cause the bottom of the bag to lose integrity within a few days. A few others have reported some difficulty with using these bags to compost in smaller piles at their homes. 


Most users, however, have reported that Unni's compostable bags do a better job than most at holding and composting food scraps and other degradable waste. While many warn that the bags need to be changed out daily to avoid early composting and spillage, they add that the bags seal the smell of waste admirably and are very convenient. 

No.3

Stout by Envision
Eco-Safe ~6400 Compostable Bags48 count

Reference price
$32.30
High Mid

Best Plus-Sized Compostable Trash Bag

Stout by Enivision's massive compostable trash bags can hold up to 30 gallons of trash and are made by US citizens who are blind or visually impaired. These sturdy trash bags are fully compostable and boast a thickness of 1.1 mils in addition to a powerful star-shaped seal at their bottoms to help prevent leakage


While the size of these compostable trash bags might tempt you to use them for yard work, one or two users warn that branches or other sharp, solid objects can still poke holes through them. It's also important to note that these bags are designed to be composted at commercial facilities, not at home


These bags are great for the environment and also support those who might otherwise have a hard time finding work. Many users rave that, unlike other compostable trash bags, Stout by Envision's products can handle damp scraps and last for up to a week in the right conditions. 

No.4

JTSC Products
JTSC Products 13-Gallon Compostable Trash Bags (100 Count)100 count

Reference price
$38.99
High Mid

Best for Compostable Bag Beginners

JTSC Products guarantees sturdiness with these one-mil-thick compostable trash bags. Their accompanying maintenance instructions make them a great start if you're new to compostable trash bags. While these large compostable bags aren't BPI-certified, they do meet the standards of the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM). 

Some people who used these compostable trash bags did find that they needed to use two at a time in order to contain heavier waste. A few warn that if the bags were left in the trash can for too long, liquid waste may leak into the bottom of the can. 


For the most part, however, users found JTSC Products' compostable trash bags to be satisfyingly sturdy while at the same time maintaining their promise of 100 percent biodegradability. A few have praised the bags' stretchiness, saying that they've been able to fit them into their kitchen trash cans with ease. 

No.5

Green Earth
Green Earth Compostable 13-Gallon Biodegradable Trash Bags (50 Count)50 count, pack of 2

Reference price
$30.95
High Mid

Best GMO-Free Compostable Trash Bags

Green Earth's compostable kitchen trash bags boast a spacious 13-gallon capacity and fully organic roots to their 100 percent plant-based materials. This makes them one of the few GMO-free compostable bag makers out there. These compostable bags aren't just big; they're sturdy with a thickness of 0.9 mils and a fair amount of stretch to them. 

Some reviewers have raised complaints that these bags are a bit thinner than other compostable trash bags on the market and add that they probably shouldn't be used for bulky or heavy waste. One or two warn that while the advertised capacity is 13 gallons, these bags don't fit standard trash cans as well as they had hoped.  


On the other hand, most users who bought and used these bags are thrilled with how durable and large they are. Some have even been able to use them with wetter waste like damp food scraps and cat litter. So long as they're kept in a cool, low-light space and are changed regularly, we think these are great compostable bags if you prefer non-GMO products. 

No.6

Bag to Nature
Bag to Nature 13-Gallon Compostable Tall Kitchen Bags (50 Count)50 count

Reference price
$29.20
High Mid

Best for Hefty Use Without Double-Bagging

Bag to Nature's compostable kitchen trash bags are made of sturdy and fully decomposable synthetic polymers, meaning they are stronger than plant-based compostable bags. Despite the fact that they're made of synthesized materials, these bags are 100 percent compostable. 


A few people who tried these compostable bags out warn that they don't do well with moisture and will break down quickly if you use them for wet waste like food scraps. It's also important to note that due to their synthetic nature, these bags can only be composted in industrial facilities


Still, many users are happy to have found that these trash bags are strong and can last more than two days. Many are pleasantly surprised with just how hefty the material is, claiming that Bag to Nature's compostable bags are the toughest they've ever used. 

No.7

Second Nature Bags
Second Nature Bags 3-Gallon Kitchen Trash Bags (100 Count)100 count, 3 gallon

Reference price
$15.95
Low Mid

Best for Lengthy Use

Second Nature Bags' compostable trash bags come in three different sizes ranging between three and thirteen gallons. They're made of tough, naturally occurring materials like sugar cane and plant starches, which gives them a fair amount of sturdiness despite the thin feel of the actual bags

A few users complain that these compostable bags have a tendency to tear or split when being separated from the roll. We recommend using care when pulling a new one out for use. In addition, as with many other compostable brands, some reviewers have reported that their bags broke down when introduced to damp waste. 


Many purchasers report that they are surprised by how strong these bags are. While they will begin to break down if introduced to too much damp waste, some users say the bags last for up to a week when properly maintained. Reviewers note this is a fair bit longer than other brands hold up and are pleased to have multiple sizes to choose from. 

No.8

Primode
30 count

Reference price
$15.95
Low Mid

Best for Light Waste or Daily Changes

Primode's compostable trash bags are made of tough corn starch and other plant-derived biomatter. They're fully certified by BPI and other international groups to be 100 percent compostable both at home and in industrial facilities. 


While the label on these trash bags lists them as kitchen-sized, some users have found that they aren't sturdy enough to withstand heavier kitchen trash. These might be an excellent option for trash cans you plan to fill with less bulky waste, such as the can in your bedroom or bathroom. 


However, plenty of people who bought Primode's bags report that the bags are strong enough for a day's worth of trash, even if it is from the kitchen. Others note that even when they get wet, these trash bags don't immediately begin to break down. We think these bags are great for smaller trash cans and non-bulky waste. 

Best for Smaller Trash Cans Around the Home

Repurpose Compostables' compact box of compostable trash bags is a great addition to your room or kitchen counter. These cute, durable trash bags are fully compostable but must be composted in a commercial facility due to their make. 


Several long-time users have warned about quality control issues when these trash bags were ordered from Amazon, so we recommend you try buying from the company's site itself. 


When not plagued with quality problems, these small but sturdy bags are very useful, according to buyers. Some who were tired of using old plastic grocery bags for their smaller trashcans say that Repurpose Compostables' bags were the perfect fit. Those who use the bags for their compost bin note that the star-shaped seal at the bottom helps prevent leakage

How to Keep Your Garbage Bag from Smelling Like Garbage

How to Keep Your Garbage Bag from Smelling Like Garbage
If you’re getting a compostable bag, you might have to give up some fancy features of regular trash bags like odor elimination. However, you can add it back in using the following tips and tricks.


Add an odor absorber like baking soda, cat litter, or even dryer sheets to your trash can before putting the bag in. 


You can also mask the smell of waste with citrus peels or a few drops of essential oil. Just be sure to rid these additives of any excess moisture when possible. Finally, cleaning your trash can regularly helps to reduce the smell of trash. With these three steps, you should be able to keep your home odor-free. 

Top 5 Compostable Trash Bags

No. 1: Biobag Compostable Countertop Food Scrap Bags100 count

No. 2: Unni100% Compostable Food Scrap Bags100 count

No. 3: Stout by Envision Eco-Safe ~6400 Compostable Bags48 count

No. 4: JTSC Products JTSC Products 13-Gallon Compostable Trash Bags (100 Count)100 count

No. 5: Green Earth Green Earth Compostable 13-Gallon Biodegradable Trash Bags (50 Count)50 count, pack of 2

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