Choosing compostable bin liners sends a strong message to councils, to ask them to invest in industrial composting facilities. Of course the answer is to reduce landfill waste in the first place.
Recycling machines don’t recognise the pigment in black bin bags, so most just languish on landfills forever.
SEEP Biodegradable Bin Liners are ‘home compostable’ (though you won’t compost them at home, they are safe to send to landfill). Made from an innovative Italian bioplastic, they are made in Belgium with clean energy, in a factory that recirculates all water used.
These are reinforced to prevent leaks, though SEEP recommends using a piece of old cardboard on the bottom to soak up liquids, and not to use with hot liquids, grease/oil or wool/animal products.
It’s also important to store them in a cool dark place, and use them within 12 months (or they will biodegrade away!) It also helps to empty them more often, due to faster decomposition.
You won’t find these in most shops at present, so order online (free delivery over £30). Sold in four sizes (20 liners per roll), choose from:
- 10 litre (small bins, bathroom bins & compost caddies).
- 30 & 50 litre (standard kitchen bins)
- 70 litres (large kitchen bins & garden waste)
Do You Have to Use Bin Bags?
Technically no. Most councils now use mechanical lifters to empty bins into trucks, so refuse workers won’t be touching your rubbish.
The main reason why bin liners are used, is to prevent ‘ickiness’. That means avoiding food waste, the main source of ‘wet bin waste’. If you compost food waste (and choose reusables over disposables), you could end up with a dry bin. And then likely don’t need a bin liner at all.
Or Consider Reusable Bin Liners
Moonie are thick waterproof bin liners with ‘seamless bottoms’ to prevent leaks, that are easy to empty into trucks by refuse workers, then just returned to you to wipe-clean and use again.
Again these are best for ‘dry waste’ to prevent ickiness. If laundered in the machine, use a microfiber filter (due to being made from synthetic materials).
‘Gull-proof sacks have not fared well in council trials. If not taken back inside immediately after emptying, they fill up with wind and could blow away. And keeping bins inside the house until collection day, has hygiene issues.
Biodegradable vs Compostable
Something that is biodegradable can be broken down by bacteria, but there is no time limit (this could take months or years).
For instance, latex party balloons are ‘biodegradable’ as they break down in around six months (the same as an oak leaf). But meanwhile they explode and fall into the sea, to be eaten by endangered sea turtles, who mistake them for jellyfish (their favourite food).
Compostable products have to be law break down into harmless substances (water, carbon dioxide) within 12 weeks. So always choose compostable, over biodegradable.
The issue is that most compostable bin liners or bags are made from bioplastics (corn, sugar cane, algae) instead of oil. Which is fine, except that most need certain heat and humidity conditions to break down in an industrial compost facility (which you likely don’t have in your back garden).
Also you are not likely to be putting filled bin bags in your compost heap anyway, due to them containing items that won’t compost (dog poo, clingfilm, used tampons, nappies etc).
So once your bin bags reach landfill, it then become the council’s responsibility to invest in industrial composting facilities, so such bags can safely break down. This is why it’s important to use your vote to elect green councils!
Where to Recycle Plastic Bin Bags
If a council or business can’t sponsor, communities could collectively buy a Terracycle Plastic Bag Recycling Box (from £100 to £160, the largest taking 1300 plastic bin bags).
The box is placed in a local shop or community centre for everyone to deposit unwanted plastic bin bags. Then it’s sent off using the prepaid label, to be made into other things for industry (piping, insulation, garden benches etc).
