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 that have less of an impact on the environment and can help lower your waste production.
Browse our favorite plastic trash bag alternatives below.
The best eco-friendly plastic trash bag alternatives
1. Green Paper Products Biodegradable Trash Bags
Price: $13.99 for a roll of 30 ($0.47 per bag)
Size: 13-gallon
Materials: Plant-based proprietary resin, certified compostable through BPI
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, creating various green alternatives to home products and offering carbon-neutral shipping.
Features:
- Heavy gauge design (0.85 mil thickness)
- Translucent design for visibility
- BPI certified compostable
- Suitable for the food service industry and home use
- Breaks down in commercial composting facilities
2. Green Earth Compostable Bags
Price: $19.95 for a roll of 50 ($0.40 per bag)
Size: 13-gallon
Materials: Plant-based PLA (polylactic acid) and PBAT (polybutylene adipate terephthalate) blend
Brand Ethics: Green Earth Compostable is committed to providing compostable trash bags made from plants. They maintain BPI certification for their products.
Features:
- Home and commercially compostable
- Extra thick for leak protection
- Suitable for kitchen and general household waste
- Breaks down completely in home composting conditions
- Star-sealed bottom for extra strength
3. Evolution Recycled Plastic Trash Bags
Price: $13.99 for a roll of 30 ($0.47 per bag)
Size: 13-gallon
Materials: 70% post-consumer recycled LLDPE (Linear Low-Density Polyethylene)
Brand Ethics: Evolution is 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.
Features:
- Made with 70% certified post-consumer recycled content
- Closed-loop recycling process
- Exceeds EPA Procurement Guidelines by 700%
- UL ECOLOGO certified
- Counts toward LEED certification
- Enhanced durability compared to standard bags
4 Smart Tips for Reducing Your Trash Bag Usage
Before switching to eco-friendly trash bags, consider strategies to reduce the number of bags you use overall.
- Smart Packing Strategies Making the most of each bag you use can significantly reduce your overall consumption. Take time to compress bulky items and break down boxes before placing them in the trash. Use smaller items to fill gaps between larger ones, and occasionally shake the bin gently to help contents settle. These simple habits can help you use fewer bags over time.
- Bagless Solutions for Dry Waste Not every waste container needs a bag. Bathroom bins and office paper baskets can often go bagless, especially when they contain only dry waste. These can be emptied directly into your main trash bag and cleaned regularly with natural cleaners like vinegar. Some households find success with washable bin liners that can be easily cleaned and reused.
- Extend Bag Life Several practices can help extend the life of each trash bag you use. Keeping wet items separate or draining them before disposal prevents bags from getting heavy or leaking. Double-checking that recyclables aren't accidentally going in the trash not only saves bag space but also helps the environment. Using newspaper to wrap messy items can prevent bag tears, and emptying bags only when truly full, rather than on a schedule, maximizes each bag's utility.
- Composting to Reduce Bag Usage Perhaps the most impactful way to reduce trash bag usage is through composting. Food scraps and organic waste typically make up about 30% of household trash volume. Setting up a kitchen counter compost collector can significantly reduce the amount of waste going into trash bags. Many items that typically go in the trash, such as paper towels and cardboard, can actually be composted instead. This not only reduces your trash bag usage but also creates valuable soil for gardens or houseplants.
