From force-flex to hefty, there are plenty of plastic trash bags to choose from. We all know about the problem plastic waste creates for the environment, but it's easy to forget the plastic waste added by trash bags.
If you're looking to go zero waste in your household, you may want to rethink the plastic in your trash bags as well as the plastic that goes in them. Fortunately, there are plenty of eco-friendly and plastic-free alternatives to trash bags that you can consider to reduce your waste.
Why are plastic trash bags bad for the environment?
Plastic trash bags a quick and are a safe way to bag your trash right?
So often we focus on the plastic waste that goes into your trash, so it's easy to forget the impact that plastic trash bags can make - especially added up over the course of a lifetime. Most trash bags are made from virgin plastic and are single-use items, with a staggering number (likely in the billions) used each year in the US alone. Due to contamination from waste, this plastic cannot be recycled meaning it is destined for a landfill (or the ocean, where many plastic bags end up).
Here are some fast facts:
- It requires 2.2 billion pounds of fossil fuel and 3.9 billion gallons of water to produce the 100 billion plastic bags the US consumes each year.
- Manufacturing plastic bags produces a billion points of solid waste and 2.7 million tons of carbon dioxide each year.
- Only 5-7% of plastic bags are recycled.
- As plastic bags break down they release harmful chemicals into the environment.
You can help break the cycle though! There are alternatives to plastic trash bags which have less of an impact on the environment and can help lower your waste production.
What kinds of eco-friendly alternatives to plastic trash bags are there?
Browse our favorite plastic trash bag alternatives below.
The best eco-friendly plastic trash bag alternatives
1. Green Paper Products biodegradeable trash bags
Price: $13.99 for a roll of 30
Materials: Not listed, however they are fully compostable.
Brand ethics: Green Paper Products was founded in 2009 as a way to help make the earth better for their children and grandchildren. They are a small business based in the US, they create various green alternatives to home products and offer carbon neutral shipping.t
Heavy Gauge Design - .85 mil - DURABLE degradable trash bags are made from Eco Friendly and renewable plant based proprietary resin. Classic translucent design is perfect for the needs and requirements of the food service industry as well as the individual consumer who is concerned about the environment.
2. Green Earth compostable bags
Price: $19.95 for a roll of 50
Materials: Not listed, though these bags are specified as fully compostable and plant based.
Brand ethics: Green Earth Compostable is committed to providing compostable trash bags made from plants. There is not much listed about the company, brand ethics, or practices. They are certified compostable though.
These plant-based compostable bags are fully compostable at home as well as commercial facilities. If you're looking for a plastic-free alternative to trash bags, these are an excellent option for your home.
3. Evolution recycled plastic trash bags
Price: $13.99 for a roll of 30
Materials: Made with 70% (third-party certified) Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) LLDPE
Brand ethics: Evolution Trash Bags are committed to bringing high-quality trash bags to market without harming the environment. All their products are produced with post-consumer recycled materials and are UL ECOLOGO Certified and EPA compliant.
If you're looking for trash bags that aren't doing quite the damage of your average plastic bag then these are for you. Made with 70% (third-party certified) Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) LLDPE. The exclusive closed-loop recycling process allows our trash bags to be manufactured at the highest quality. Exceeds EPA Procurement Guidelines by 700%, UL ECOLOGO certified and counts toward LEED.