What Are Compostable Bags?

Compostable bags are made partly from plants and are designed to break down naturally into soil-enriching compost under the right conditions.

At EcoSafe, our compostable film products are made from two main ingredients:

PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate-co-terephthalate): a fossil-based copolymer that’s fully biodegradable and compostable.

PLA (Polylactic Acid): a bioplastic made from renewable resources such as corn or sugarcane.

Some manufacturers use cornstarch as an alternative, but it tends to become soggy when exposed to moisture. A bag made solely from PLA or cornstarch would break down too quickly when exposed to moisture or weight, making it impractical for real-world use. In short, a balance of ingredients is needed to maintain both strength and compostability.

Understanding “Compostable” vs. “Biodegradable”

The term compostable often gets confused with biodegradable but they’re not the same thing.

All compostable bags are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable bags are compostable.

Biodegradable bags can break down eventually, but the process isn’t defined, sometimes taking years, and they may leave behind microplastics (a tiny piece of plastic define as smaller than 5 millimeters - about the size of a sesame seed) or harmful residues.

Certified compostable bags, on the other hand, are tested to break down completely into natural elements (CO₂, water, and biomass) within specific timeframes under controlled composting conditions.

That’s why compostable products carry certifications from organizations like the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) or the Compost Manufacturing Alliance (CMA) to guarantee they meet performance and safety standards.

The Pros and Cons of Compostable Bags for Food Waste

Like any sustainability solution, compostable bags have both advantages and limitations.

🌿 The Good

Keeps food waste out of landfills, reducing methane: Food waste in landfills releases methane, a greenhouse gas roughly 20 times more harmful than CO₂. Compostable bags help capture and divert those scraps to composting facilities, cutting methane emissions and landfill use.

Creates nutrient-rich compost: When processed properly, compostable bags and food scraps become healthy compost that improves soil structure, water retention, and plant growth, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.

Made with renewable resources: Compostable bags use fewer fossil fuels than conventional plastics, since part of their composition comes from plants. This reduces overall greenhouse gas emissions during manufacturing.

⚠️ The Challenges

Disposal confusion: Compostable bags can contaminate recycling streams if placed in the wrong bin. Always send them to a composting facility or organics collection program—not recycling or landfill bins.

Limited breakdown in home composting or landfills: These bags require the high heat and airflow of industrial composting facilities to decompose fully. In landfills or backyard composts, they may take much longer or not break down completely.

Can Compostable Bags Break Down in Backyard Compost?

We’re often asked if our certified compostable bags can break down at home. The honest answer: it depends on temperature, time, and your composting method.

• Our bags can eventually break down in backyard systems, but we don’t yet have official testing data to confirm specific results. Until that testing is complete, if you choose to experiment, here’s what to know:
• Consistent heat around 140°F (60°C) for 4–6 weeks is ideal for full breakdown.
• Each climate and compost setup is different, so your results may vary.
• A balanced recipe helps: 2–3 parts brown (carbon-rich) material to 1 part green (nitrogen-rich) by volume. Our bags count as a carbon input—like dry leaves or paper.

Commercial Composting: The Gold Standard

Industrial composting facilities maintain the perfect mix of heat, moisture, oxygen, and microbial activity for full biodegradation.

Our products are CMA-approved for all major commercial systems, including:

• Aerated Static Pile (ASP)
• Windrow
• In-vessel composting systems

Under these controlled conditions, compostable bags typically decompose fully in 2–4 weeks, depending on the technology and feedstock mix.

Fermentation-based systems, such as Bokashi or sealed tanks, operate differently and we’re active in studying their compatibility with our materials.

What Are EcoSafe Compostable Bags Made Of?

EcoSafe compostable bags use PLA and other renewable materials sourced from beets, sugarcane, and corn. The ingredient mix may vary based on crop availability, so the renewable percentage can fluctuate slightly.

We’re also tracking innovations in materials made from rice, seaweed, bamboo, and fungi which don’t rely on the sugar-based inputs required for PLA. These emerging options could one day make compostable bags even more sustainable and home-compost friendly.

Compostable Bags vs. Other Food Waste Solutions

Compostable bags are one tool among many for tackling food waste. Here’s how they compare:

• Backyard composting: Great for reducing waste and creating compost at home but not ideal for all materials (like meat or dairy). 
• Municipal organics programs: Convenient and effective where available, as they send food scraps and compostable products to industrial facilities. Rules vary by city, so always check what’s accepted locally.

How to Dispose of Compostable Bags Properly

To make sure your compostable bags actually benefit the environment:

• Choose certified bags and look for BPI and CMA logos.
• Use official composting programs. Many cities offer curbside organics pickup.
• Keep contamination out. Avoid adding non-compostable items like stickers or twist ties.
• Follow local guidelines. Rules vary by region, so check your municipality’s composting program.

Composting: A Big Shift for a Healthier Planet

Before widespread composting, most food scraps ended up in landfills, creating methane and wasting valuable nutrients. Composting, supported by compostable bags, has changed that story.

Now, more food waste is being turned into compost that enriches soil, supports local agriculture, and reduces chemical fertilizer use. Still, there’s work to do: not all regions have access to composting programs, and misdirected compostable products can still cause issues.

A Compostable Future

Imagine a world where every community can compost, where compostable bags break down even in backyard bins, and small-scale systems exist everywhere. This vision would mean less waste, healthier soils, and cleaner air.

That’s the circular future we’re working toward: one where every product and process gives back more than it takes.

EcoSafe’s Commitment to a Circular Future

At EcoSafe, we’re dedicated to advancing sustainable food waste management through education, innovation, and certified compostable solutions. Every bag, bin, and program we create helps make composting second nature at home, in business, and across communities.

Small choices make a big difference. By choosing compostable bags and using them responsibly, you’re helping to close the loop, reduce landfill waste, and regenerate healthy soil.

Together, we can make composting second nature and the planet a little greener for everyone.