Seep Compostable (not at home!) Bin Bags
SEEP Bin Bags 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.
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)
SEEP bin bags use only plant-based sources like corn starch. Unlike standard plastic bags, they don’t come from oil or fossil fuels. These natural ingredients break down without releasing toxic chemicals into the soil or air.
Reinforced (to prevent leaks)
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.
Many products claim to be biodegradable, yet still linger in landfills for years. SEEP bin bags are certified as both biodegradable and compostable (for industrial composting systems, so just bin and a green council should do the rest).
SEEP bin bags come in sizes to fit most UK household bins. There’s no need to squeeze or stretch them, and they arrive in handy rolls that are easy to tear off.
Why Choose Compostable Bin Bags?
Biodegradable bin bags break down by bacteria but this can take months or years. Compostable bin bags obviously are not composted at home due to what’s inside (cloth nappies, dog poo, non-recyclable items).
So the answer is to buy compostable bin bags, and vote for greener councils who invest in industrial composting systems that use certain heat and humidity, to safely break bags and rubbish down into water and carbon dioxide, usually within 12 weeks.
Unused black bin bags can’t be recycled, as machines don’t recognise the colour. To get them out of your town once and for all, communities can pool to buy a Terracycle Plastic Bag Recycling Box (from £100 to £160, the largest taking 1300 plastic bin bags).
This is placed in a local shop or community centre, then sent off when full using the prepaid label, to be made into industrial piping etc.
