Biodegradable Garbage Bags: Less Green Than Thought

When we choose biodegradable garbage bags to throw away our trash, we think we’re being kind to the Earth. But, using these bags for trash that goes to landfill might not be as helpful as we hoped.

It’s important to know that “biodegradable” means the product will eventually break down into tiny fragments of plastic. In landfills, where there’s not enough oxygen or the right conditions for breaking down, this process may still take many years. And, even if the bag breaks down, tiny fragments of plastic are more harmful to the environment than whole plastic bags. This is different from “compostable” bags, which are indented to contain food scraps for compost. Certified compostable bags help consumers easily collect food waste and will decompose just like the food inside of them at an industrial compost facility

This article will talk about why biodegradable bags aren’t the best choice for the environment when we use them to dispose our everyday trash destined for landfill.

What are Biodegradable Trash Bags?

Biodegradable garbage bags are presented as an eco-conscious solution to the pervasive problem of plastic waste. Made from a combination of organic materials such as cornstarch and other biodegradable additives, these bags are designed to break down more quickly than their conventional plastic counterparts. The premise is appealing: a product that can seamlessly reintegrate with the earth, leaving a minimal environmental footprint. But is this promise too good to be true?

The Reality Check: The Environmental Shortcomings of Biodegradable Garbage Bags

Despite their promising portrayal, biodegradable trash bags come with a set of environmental drawbacks that challenge their green image:

Slow or No Degradation in Landfills

One of the critical issues with biodegradable bags is their degradation process—or the lack thereof—in landfill conditions. Landfills, with their compacted layers devoid of oxygen and sunlight, are not the ideal environments for biodegradation. Consequently, biodegradable bags may linger for years, barely decomposing, which starkly contradicts the idea that they offer a significant environmental advantage over traditional plastic bags.

Issues with Biodegradable Bags

Biodegradable garbage bags were designed to be better for the environment, but they haven’t lived up to expectations. Instead of breaking down completely, like a compostable bag, they turn into tiny pieces of plastic. These tiny fragments can end up harming wildlife and polluting our ecosystems, which means biodegradable bags aren’t as green as we thought.

Potential for Contamination

The decomposition of biodegradable garbage bags into microplastics poses a heightened risk of contamination to our natural resources. As these bags break down into smaller and smaller pieces, they become more likely to infiltrate agricultural lands, waterways, and ultimately, the food chain. This contamination can lead to the absorption of plastic particles by crops, the presence of microplastics in freshwater and marine environments, and the inadvertent consumption of plastics by animals and humans. Such widespread dispersal challenges the notion that biodegradable bags are a harmless alternative to traditional plastics.

What are the Most Environmentally Friendly Garbage Bags?

The harsh truth is that any product designed for single-use disposal, regardless of its material composition, poses environmental concerns. The entire lifecycle of these bags—from production through to disposal—contributes to pollution and the depletion of resources.

What Can Be Done?

The real solution to the environmental challenges posed by garbage bags, biodegradable or otherwise, lies in altering consumer behavior to reduce waste:

Consume Less, Reuse More: The most effective strategy is to prevent waste generation at its source. Embracing reusable items and packaging can dramatically decrease the volume of waste produced.

Proper Waste Sorting: Accurate sorting of recyclables and compostables is crucial for the efficiency of waste management systems, ensuring materials are processed in the most environmentally friendly manner possible.

Save or print our universal organic waste collection sheet to remind yourself what belongs in the green bin.

Conclusion

While biodegradable garbage bags might appear as a convenient and eco-friendly choice, their purported environmental benefits are highly questionable. The journey towards a sustainable future requires us to look beyond surface-level solutions and critically evaluate our consumption patterns and waste management practices. By making informed decisions and advocating for genuinely sustainable practices, we can contribute to a healthier planet. The path to environmental stewardship involves embracing a comprehensive approach to living that prioritizes the well-being of our planet over the convenience of disposable solutions.