If you’re looking for a way to recycle your trash, consider using compostable trash bags. Not only are they a green choice, they can help you keep a lid on landfills. Plus, they help feed the microbes that turn your waste into a useful product.
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Avoid non-compostable trash
Many of us have heard of biodegradable trash bags, but they aren’t really “biodegradable.” They’re made of petroleum-based synthetic polymers that don’t actually break down in a landfill. Instead, they release toxic chemicals that poison people and animals.
If you’re looking for eco-friendly trash bags, consider going with paper bags or sending your waste to an industrial composting facility. Not only do you save money, you create less greenhouse gases.
Biodegradable trash bags are a good choice if you’re throwing out organic waste. However, many of the products labeled as biodegradable end up in landfills and incinerators. This is because they don’t break down well in the environment.
If you’re not sure about whether a plastic bag is made from petroleum or plants, check the label. Some plant-based trash bags contain heavy metals. These metals are considered a food source for certain bacterial species. The problem is that some of these bacteria thrive in anaerobic environments.
A biodegradable bags is also more expensive than a standard trash bag. Depending on the size of the bag, it might take years or decades for the bag to break down.
If you’re using a composting facility for your organic waste, you’ll want to buy a compostable trash bag. Compostable trash bags are made from plant starch, which is easily broken down by microorganisms in soil. Plant starch does not contain heavy metals.
You’ll want to look for a certification from the Biodegradable Products Institute to ensure your trash bags are safe to dispose of. Their products are tested by independent laboratories and evaluated by a third-party technical reviewer. In addition, their products carry a leaf and tree seal.
Most biodegradable products can be sent to a composting facility. However, not all facilities accept biodegradable trash bags. When choosing a composting facility, make sure to check with the facility before putting your bags there.
Unlike plastic bags, compostable trash bags don’t have a carbon footprint. As long as they’re properly stored in a composting facility, they’ll break down into compost and other usable materials.
For the best results, look for compostable bags that are BPI or TUV certified.
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Feed microbes
You may not have realized it, but using compostable trash bags is a great way to get the microbes to feed. These plastics are derived from plant starch, so there is no toxicity and they are not made from petroleum-based materials. They are also easy to break down in compost piles.
There are a number of companies that make these environmentally friendly plastics. The EcoSmartbags brand is a company that promises a seven year lifespan. This claim is based on the fact that the company uses a proprietary additive that speeds up the breakdown of anaerobic bacteria in landfills.
One of the more common types of plastic used in these bags is polyethylene terephthalate, commonly called PET. This synthetic polymer is used in many consumer products, including bags, clothing, and packaging. A recent study found that a single bacterium, COVID-19, could live for up to three days on this material.
Another good way to go green is to recycle. There are several organizations that promote municipal composting. Using a compost bin in your own backyard is a simple way to make a difference. If you don’t have a compost bin, check out BioCycle magazine’s “find a composter” website. It’s a free directory of facilities across North America.
Composting is a good way to reuse food scraps and other organic waste. In addition to providing an eco-friendly resource, composting helps improve the soil beneath your feet.
While you’re at it, try turning your compostables for a faster decomposition process. Microbes have an affinity for carbon-rich materials like leaves, twigs, and dried grass clippings.
One of the most exciting things about composting is that you get to make new microbial friends. Unfortunately, the research on rumen microbial communities is still at an early stage. However, this is an area of potential for a sustainable solution to plastics and other waste problems.
The composting process also takes time. Several studies have shown that compostable bags will last at least three years in a landfill. Once the composting process is complete, you can turn your compostables into a crumbly compost.
Avoid landfills
If you want to avoid landfills, you can use compostable trash bags. These are made from plants and are a great way to dispose of your kitchen waste.
You can get these in stores across the United States. They start at about $20 and are available online.
Trash bags can be made from recycled plastic, and they will break down after a short time. However, they don’t break down in the same way as virgin plastic. There are several different factors to consider when it comes to making an eco-friendly choice.
One of the most important considerations is whether the bag is meant for home use or industrial composting. Many companies claim that their products are biodegradable. That’s true, but you need to check the label to be sure.
Compostable trash bags are made from 100% plant-based materials. The microorganisms in a composting pile will decompose these materials. Plant starch, for example, is easily broken down in a moist environment. This reduces the amount of toxic chemicals and greenhouse gases that are left behind.
In a landfill, however, it’s difficult to break down the materials. The landfill is an anaerobic environment, which means that the basic food scraps are not breaking down properly. Instead, the landfill produces methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas. EPA regulations require that landfills block out most of the oxygen.
To break down, these materials need oxygen and nitrogen. Compostable items also need to be exposed to moisture and heat. It takes a long time to decompose in a landfill.
Most biodegradable trash bags will take decades to break down. Biodegradable materials, such as paper, can be recycled. Another option is to use a backyard compost bin.
There are many companies that offer compostable trash bags as well as biodegradable trash bags. Some of them are a little more expensive than others. Make sure that you know which ones are best for you. Choosing the right ones can help you avoid landfills.
Remember that it’s best to avoid single-use plastics. Use a reusable, metal or wood utensil instead. And, if you do end up using trash bags, consider sending them to a commercial composting facility.
Biodegradable vs. compostable
Biodegradable trash bags are designed to break down in the presence of oxygen and moisture. They are made from plant starch, so they don’t contain heavy metals. However, they are not very strong, and they don’t perform as well in landfills as non-biodegradable plastic trash bags.
When they’re used in landfills, they decompose slowly and are susceptible to the presence of microorganisms. That’s why the Environmental Protection Agency has requirements that they be buried in a way that blocks out the air and moisture.
Some compostable trash bags are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI). These products have to be broken down in a facility that meets specific criteria. The products are also evaluated by independent laboratories. This helps ensure that the product will actually break down.
Some companies promote the biodegradable aspect of their products as a green solution to litter. They do so by using plant starch and vegetable oil. Plant starch is easily broken down by microorganisms in the soil, and it doesn’t contain toxic byproducts.
Biodegradable trash bags may be covered with an additive that hastens the action of anaerobic bacteria in landfills. This additive is claimed to help the bag decompose completely.
However, the amount of time it takes for these bags to breakdown in landfills is not very precise. It may take several seasons for them to decompose.
In addition, many supermarkets distribute biodegradable plastic bags. But the consumer has to remember that these items are meant to be compost material, not to be thrown away. If the consumer uses these items too much, they will end up in the landfill, rather than the composting process.
Compostable bags should be labeled with a BPI certification. This will indicate that the product will be compostable in a backyard compost system or industrial compost facility.
Eco Smartbags, for example, claim that their bags will break down in seven years. While this is impressive, it isn’t true.
Composting is the process of breaking down organic waste into a good organic fertilizer. As with any type of compost, it requires an environment that contains the right mix of oxygen, light, and water.
