Alternatives to Plastic Trash Bags

Plastic bags make handy trash bag liners. They keep the bin from getting dirty and also ease the process of taking out the trash. But they also have far-reaching negative effects on the environment because plastic is not easily biodegradable. The good news is, there are alternatives to plastic trash bags that you can use that are just as effective and don’t impact the environment negatively. You just need some forward-thinking to make the changes.

Go without a liner

It’s not compulsory to have a garbage liner in your bins. In fact, not everybody uses a garbage liner. Most of the waste produced in homes is food waste and a lot of dry non-recyclables. If you just throw the dry waste into the bin, going without a liner becomes even more practical because you don’t have to worry about cleaning the bin regularly.

For bins in the kitchen where you will also throw leftover food, you might need to rinse the container between uses to keep it from smelling and hoarding bacteria.

This sounds like a drastic move, but it’s effortless to implement, and it doesn’t cost you anything—just a few minutes of rinsing the bin.

Line the bin with newspaper

If you have to line the bin, you can try using old newspapers. If you have tonnes of newspapers lying around the house and you don’t know how to use them, repurposing them into garbage bin liners is an amazing idea.

Using newspapers as liners is effective and easy. It reduces the amount of moisture passed on to the bin, so you don’t have to clean it regularly.

Why not also read: 10 Reasons to Recycle

Newspaper is easily biodegradable and recyclable, so whether it ends up at a landfill or a recycling plant, you can rest assured that it will not harm the environment in any way.

Use reusable bags

Using reusable bags is not just good for the environment but also for your finances. You can decide to reuse the plastic bags or do even better by buying a reusable bag made from natural fibres that are kinder to the environment.

Should you choose to go for an environment-friendly bag, our jute bags are an excellent option. They come in various sizes and designs that can fit most garbage bins. The bags are durable and washable, so you can use them multiple times before you need to replace them. They are practical, functional, and cost-saving.

When using a reusable bag as your bin liner, all you have to do is throw away the trash at the recycling bin and reuse the bag. If the bag gets dirty, you can use it between washes to keep it sanitary and prevent odours.

Use recycled plastic bags

You could also consider using recycled plastic bags. The beauty of using this type of bag is, it can be recycled repeatedly. You get to retain the convenience of a plastic trash bag but not some of the adverse effects it has on the environment.

Use compostable bags

For homes that are off the grid and don’t have a garbage collection service, you can settle on compostable bags. These make even more sense if you are already composting your waste. The bags save you the trouble of having to empty the trash. All you do is dump in the bag and in about 180 days, the bag has fully decomposed.

Go full compost

Another alternative is to compost your waste. The compost turns into manure that you can use on your organic farm in the backyard. When you go full compost, you don’t have to worry about using liners for your bins because you empty the waste into the compost pit.

Plant-based bags

Homes with regular garbage collection might struggle with reusable bags or going without liners. But, if you’re still motivated to make a positive impact on the environment, you can use plant-based trash bags. Even though these are single-use bags, they are a better choice because they have a smaller environmental impact. The bags are made from different plants, including corn, GMO-free plants, sugar cane and some surplus crops.

Closing Remarks

Plastic has proven negative effects on the environment. Although plastic trash bags are convenient, they have serious long-term ramifications on the environment. These alternatives can help you transition from the conventional plastic bags and try out new things that are just as convenient and excellent for the environment.