7 Strong Eco-Friendly Trash Bags (Compostable & Recycled)

Eco-friendly trash bags are a great way to reduce the amount of plastic you send to landfill.

Traditional trash bags are made from plastic that adds to the global plastic waste problem and takes up to 500 years to degrade.

There are plenty of supposedly sustainable trash bag alternatives on the market, but which are strong enough to be practical but still truly eco-friendly?

I’ve carefully picked my way through the best eco-friendly garbage bags on the market, and can confirm that it IS possible to bag your garbage sustainably.

What are Eco-Friendly Trash Bags?

Eco-friendly trash bags are garbage bags designed to have a smaller environmental footprint than conventional plastic bin liners. They generally fall into three categories:

• Compostable: made from renewable plant-based materials like cornstarch, sugarcane, or PLA that break down into biomass under the right conditions. U.S. compostability specifications (ASTM Standards D6400 and D6868) require that certified compostable plastics leave no toxic residue that would harm plant growth in finished compost (EPA).
• Recycled plastic: made from post-consumer recycled content, which reduces virgin plastic demand but doesn't biodegrade.
• Plant-based: made from renewable materials like sugar cane that reduce reliance on fossil fuels, though they're not always compostable or biodegradable.

Let's start by looking at trash bags made from compostable materials.

Best Compostable Trash Bags

The best compostable trash bag must have the right certification for your disposal route, be sized to fit your bin, and be strong enough for your typical waste. Here are the features to look for.

• Certification: The most environmentally friendly brands are certified by BPI (North America) or TÜV Austria (OK Compost), ensuring they meet rigorous industrial or home composting standards.
• Material: plant-based components like cornstarch and PLA, often combined with PBAT for added strength and flexibility
• Size and strength: match capacity to your bin. Thicker bags (typically 0.85 mil or higher) perform significantly better for wet or heavy waste
• Shelf life: most compostable bags expire in 12 to 18 months. Avoid stockpiling and store in a cool, dry place to prevent premature degradation

My top pick ticks all the boxes.

Plastno Compostable Trash Bags are made from renewable, plant-based materials: corn starch, Polylactic Acid (PLA), and Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate (PBAT).

They're certified commercially compostable by two leading green certifications:

• BPI: The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certification indicates that compostable bags have been rigorously tested and can break down in a commercial composting facility within 180 days without leaving harmful residues.
• TUV: TÜV certified means a product has passed independent tests under TÜV’s “OK compost” standards (for example, OK compost HOME or OK compost INDUSTRIAL). TUV certification is one of the most challenging certifications to achieve for compostable bags, ensuring they can break down effectively in home composting environments within a set time and do not leave harmful residues, such as toxic chemicals, heavy metals, or visible plastic fragments.

Plastno claims the bags break down naturally in landfills, however there is no scientific proof that they do. As we explain in the FAQs below, landfill conditions are generally not ideal for any compostable material to fully degrade.

I'm impressed with these bags' strength (even when packed to their 13-gallon capacity). With their multilayer strength, they're capable of handling heavy household waste. The easy-tie closure ensures convenient use and transportation, while the star-sealed bottom prevents leaks, rips, and tears.

As with all genuinely compostable trash bags, there are a few things you should bear in mind to get the most out of your Plastno Compostable Trash Bags:

• To prolong their durability, drain excess liquid from wet waste
• For optimal performance, store the bags in a cool and dry place
• These bags have a shelf life of approximately 12 months, so it's best to avoid stockpiling too many
• Don't use these bags for storage
• Keep away from babies, children, and pets to prevent suffocation

Free shipping is available on all US orders over $40. You can also save 15% by using our exclusive code (THEROUNDUPORG).

There's also a neat subscription option (Plastno Membership) if you want to save even more...and never run out of trash bags again.

I don't want to be the guy who gets excited about eco-friendly trash bags, but Plastno has nailed it, and I AM excited!

They're strong, reliable, and certified compostable - so they tick all the boxes I could ask for right now.

These compostable trash bags are the ideal size for use around the kitchen and really impressed me during testing.

Made from a resin derived from GMO-free crops, these bags are designed to fully compost in a commercial facility.

Looking for a different size? Biobag offers a full range of biodegradable garbage bags. From small pet waste bags to 55-gallon compost bin liners.

The eco-credentials extend to the packaging and shipping too. These bags are packaged in plastic-free and recyclable materials and shipped by EarthHero in recyclable mailers made from recycled content.

They Say: FORID compostable trash bags are made of 100% plant starch material (PSM),bioplastics based on natural renewable plant starch extracts, and can be composted in backyard or home composting facilities. In the case of composting, it is released as water, humus and CO2 within six months and returned to the ecosystem to complete the organic cycle.

We Say: These 1.2-gallon compostable bags are an excellent option for food scraps and small trash cans around the home and office.

The biodegradable material used complies with the standard ASTM D6400 and the European standard EN 13432.

These certifications cover commercial composting, but FORID claims you can compost the bag at home without causing damage to the environment.

If 1.2 gallons is too small for your needs, FORID also offers 2.6-gallon, 4-gallon, 8-gallon, and 13-gallon options.

They Say: These Lowe’s waste bags do the job right. Compact when not in use, just open these two-ply paper bags up all the way and they can stand by themselves for as long as the job goes on.

We Say: These heavy-duty biodegradable paper bags are perfect for yard waste.

Paper trash bags might not sound like a good idea, but they’re a decent eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic bags.

Lowe's Heavy Duty paper trash bags are strong (if kept dry), reusable, recyclable, and compostable.

The thick, two-ply construction ensures that these bags can handle just about any trash...even Mrs. M’s rose bush cuttings.

Paper trash bags are a higher-priced option. However, you get what you pay for here.

We have a dog and buy her dry kibble feed in 12kg brown paper bags. These bags are perfect for our medium-sized kitchen trash cans. They can usually be reused five or six times before falling apart. When they get full, I take them outside and empty them into our big metal trash can.

One bag lasts most people for many days, and it can be reused many times.

Once the eco-friendly bag reaches the end of its life, it goes on the compost pile (usually full of grass cuttings).

Best Recycled Plastic Trash Bags

The best recycled plastic trash bag should contain a high percentage of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, be independently certified, and be strong and durable enough to handle your typical waste without splitting. Here's how to choose.

• Recycled content: aim for at least 65% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, with higher percentages preferred where available
• Strength: choose a thicker mil rating for wet or heavy waste, and look for reinforced features like multi-layer construction or drawstring closures
• Brand ethics: B Corp certification or membership of schemes like 1% For The Planet signal a wider commitment to sustainability

They're not home compostable or even biodegradable, but they do reuse plastic that would otherwise have ended up in our landfills or waterways.

They Say: Sustainable white, super stretch, tall kitchen trash bag with drawstring. 100 bags per box, 2 rolls of 50. One by One dispensing no more perforations to find. Made with 70% (third-party certified) Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) LLDPE. The exclusive closed-loop recycling process allows our bags to be manufactured at the highest quality.

We Say: These kitchen bin bags are made from 70% certified post-consumer recycled LLDPE plastics and are incredibly tough. I put mine through some seriously rough treatment, and they didn’t even come close to splitting on me.

The drawstring is very convenient and helps secure the bag to stop spills and leaks when moving to the curbside.

Talking of convenience, how each bag is dispensed one at a time is also a nice touch.

Evolution is part of the 1% For The Planet scheme. This is usually a good sign that the company cares about its place in the world and its impact on the planet.

If you’re looking for premium quality tall kitchen trash bags that are hardwearing and eco-friendly, you should consider taking a look at Evolution.

They Say: You need a reliable trash bag in your kitchen; we've all had that experience when it breaks as you take it out. Yuck. Gencore 3-layer technology sandwiches recycled material between two layers of virgin plastic so these bags are tough and resistant to tearing, giving you confidence when you pull your trash bag out of the can.

We Say: Seventh Generation is a B Corp certified company that has been championing eco-friendly products for many years.

So, when I saw they do recycled trash bags, I had to give them a test.

I was not disappointed. These recycled plastic bags are robust. The tie-string design made it easy to close and seal your trash inside the bags.

My one gripe with Seventh Generation trash bags is the level of recycled plastic used. At the current time, it is 65%, which is at the low end of what I would expect from an eco-friendly brand.

Best Plant-Based Trash Bags

Plant-based trash bags swap fossil-fuel plastic for renewable organic materials like sugar cane, reducing carbon footprint without sacrificing the strength of a conventional bag.

They're not compostable or biodegradable, but the high biobased content makes them a meaningful step up from virgin plastic.

They Say: Plant Based Hippo Sak Tall Kitchen Trash Bags are proudly made from sugar cane instead of fossil fuels, allowing our bags to be renewable, recyclable and reduce your carbon footprint - and are Super Strong as ever! For every 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of plant raw material used to create Hippo Sak Plant-Based Tall Kitchen Bags, they reduce CO2 emissions by 2.15 kg and reduce the consumption of fossil fuel by 2 liters!

We Say: These bags are not classed as compostable or biodegradable.

They’re as heavy-duty as any plastic garbage bag I’ve ever used but contain a minimum of 80% plant-based materials (sugar cane).

This massively reduces the amount of oil needed to make these bags. Which in turn reduces their carbon footprint.

It's not ideal that it contains 20% plastic. This is not a zero-waste option.

However, when you consider the bag dimension (13 gallons) and durability, I believe that they’re an option worth considering.

They’re thick enough to be reused without breaking. Once full, carefully take it outside and empty it into a large metal trash can ready for collection.

There are more environmentally friendly options, but they’re usually smaller, flimsier, or are for a different purpose. If you need a very tough bag, this is still a much better option than regular trash bags made from 100% plastic.

What Kind of Garbage Bags Are Best for The Environment?

Home compostable bags and paper sacks are the best garbage bags for the environment when used for food scraps and yard waste that will actually be composted. For general trash heading to landfill, recycled-content plastic is the better pick.

1. Home compostable or paper

These are best for food waste and yard waste going to compost.

2. Recycled-content plastic

These are best for general landfill-bound trash, since it reuses material that would otherwise pollute. However, they are not biodegradable and do not break down in landfill conditions.

3. Reusable cloth liners

Reusable bags have the lowest theoretical impact, but most use plastic-laminated fabric (PUL or PEVA) rather than natural fibres. Options are limited, and practicality is restricted to dry waste. We've yet to find one that meets our testing standards

These are all sustainable options, but there are some types of bags that you should always try to avoid.

What Type of Bags Should I Avoid?

Traditional plastic bags should be avoided because they take hundreds of years to break down and harm human and animal life.

It's important to scrutinize the product details of any bags you are considering and make sure you do not buy anything containing the following:

1. Virgin Plastic Bags

It is recommended that you steer clear of any bags made from 100% new plastics. Plastic bags are the worst product for the environment.

2. Degradable Bags

Degradable trash bags might sound eco-friendly...but they REALLY aren’t.

Degradable plastics can fragment into smaller pieces that persist as microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment (EPA).

What is the difference between biodegradable and compostable trash bags?

Compostable trash bags break down into non-toxic organic matter under specific composting conditions within a defined timeframe. Biodegradable trash bags break down eventually, but with no guarantee on the timeframe, conditions, or what's left behind.

All compostable bags are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable bags are compostable. "Biodegradable" is largely unregulated and often used loosely in marketing, whereas "compostable" requires certification (such as BPI, TUV OK Compost, or ASTM D6400) to be a verified claim.

Always check for a certification mark rather than relying on the label alone.

Are compostable garbage bags worth it?

Compostable garbage bags are worth it for food scraps and garden waste that will actually be composted, but offer little benefit for general trash going to landfill. The right pick depends on your disposal options:

• Home compostable bioplastic (look for TUV OK Compost HOME) breaks down in a backyard pile and is ideal for kitchen waste.
• Paper sacks are home compostable, great for yard waste, and accepted by municipal composting programs.
• Industrial compostable bioplastic is worthwhile if you have curbside organics collection or access to a commercial composting facility that accepts them.

According to the Columbia Climate School, “Most landfills don’t get to the temperatures needed for compostable bags to break down, meaning they will essentially mummify along with the other trash in the landfill”.

That's why sending compostable trash to the correct facility is important.

How Long Do Biodegradable Bio Bags Take To Decompose?

They take 10-45 days, according to the Biobag FAQ section.

What Are Common Mistakes People Make when Using Compostable Bags?

The most common mistake is sending compostable bags to landfill, where they can't break down properly and offer no environmental benefit over conventional plastic.

Other frequent errors include the following.

1. Putting them in recycling: compostable bags contaminate plastic recycling streams and have to be sorted out
2. Confusing home and commercial certifications: only TUV OK Compost HOME bags reliably break down in a backyard pile, while BPI or ASTM D6400 bags need a commercial facility
3. Stockpiling: compostable bags have a 12 to 18 month shelf life and can degrade in storage, so buy what you'll use
4. Leaving wet waste sitting too long: bags can start breaking down in the bin if left for over a week, especially with liquid-heavy contents
5. Trusting "biodegradable" labels without certification: the term is largely unregulated and often means very little

Can I Use Trash Bags To Pick Up Dog Poop?

Using trash bags to pick up dog poop is wasteful, as they tend to be oversized for the task at hand.

Instead, consider choosing one of the environmentally friendly alternatives mentioned in my article on dog poop bags.

The Final Word

Home compostable bags are the best option from an environmental perspective, providing they're sent to the right disposal stream.

However, when these are not available, recycled plastic bags are an option. And while you are unlikely to find 100% recycled trash bags (one day I hope this will be possible), at the moment, those with a high percentage are certainly better than those made entirely from virgin plastics.