We’ve all been there, standing in the cleaning aisle of the supermarket, staring at a wall of plastic. You want to do the right thing for the environment, so you reach for the box with the green leaves and the words “Earth Friendly” or “Degradable” on the front.
The “Degradable” Trap
This is the biggest hurdle for Aussie consumers. Many bags labelled “Degradable” or “Oxo-degradable” are actually just plastic with a chemical added to make them break down faster.
The problem: They don’t disappear; they just turn into microplastics more quickly. This makes them even harder to clean up and more dangerous for our local Australian waterways and wildlife.
Compostable vs. Biodegradable
In Australia, look for the Seedling Logo (AS4736).
Biodegradable: A loose term that means it will break down eventually (but could take decades).
Compostable: This is what you want. These bags are made from plant materials (like cornstarch) and will break down into organic matter.
Pro Tip: Only use compostable bags in your FOGO (Food Organics and Garden Organics) bin if your local council specifically allows it. Otherwise, they can contaminate the recycling stream!
The “Double Bagging” Dilemma
Australia produces millions of tonnes of plastic waste annually. When we put our recyclables into a plastic garbage bag before throwing them in the Yellow Bin, we are actually creating a problem.
In most Australian sorting facilities (MRFs), bags are not opened for safety reasons. This means your perfectly sorted recycling might end up in a and fill just because it was inside a plastic bag. Keep your recycling loose!
Better “Options” for Your Home
At Waste Options, we believe in making every choice count. Here are three ways to rethink you bin liners:
- The “Naked” Bin: For your dry recycling, skip the liner entirely. Just wash the bin out once a month or when dirty.
- Newspaper Liners: I you still get a local paper, use it to line your small kitchen scraps bin. It’s 100% compostable and free!
- Recycled Content: If you must buy plastic bags, look for ones made from 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content. This supports the Australian circular economy by giving old plastic a second life.
The bottom line?
The best garbage bag is the one you don’t use. But when you do need one, look past the green packaging and check the fine print for Australian Standards.
Don’t waste your options – make them count.