Zero waste bin liners (and how to use them)
Although it’s good to recycle, many items have to be binned (used nappies, dog poo etc). But traditional black plastic bin bags leak microplastics onto landfills (even unused ones are impossible to recycle, as machines don’t recognise the colour).
If you compost food (and don’t have a food waste bin) – just bin scraps from peppers, alliums (onion, garlic, shallots, leeks, chives), tomatoes, citrus, rhubarb and tea/coffee grounds, to avoid acids harming compost creatures.
Same with tea and coffee grounds (use a SinkShield to avoid blocked drains).
How are eco-friendly bin liners different?
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). But they can be industrially composted by councils (if your council does not offer this service, it’s a good reason to vote for different councillors!)
The only caveat with these bags is that you should store them in a cool place, away from sunlight (and use them within 12 to 18 months). Otherwise they may start to biodegrade away! Change your liners more often if adding liquids. And don’t use for hot liquids, grease/oil, dust or wool/animal products.
How to recycle unused plastic bin bags
Black bin bags can not be recycled locally, as machines don’t recognise the colour. To get them out of your town forever, 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.
Seep eco-friendly bin liners
Seep eco-friendly bin liners are made from truly eco-friendly materials (you’re too busy to likely deal with the science, but safe to say there’s no greenwash here!) Approved for local authority collection.
Reinforced to prevent leaking, each pack contains 25 rolls. Choose from four sizes:
- 10 litres (for small bins)
- 30 and 50 litres (for normal size bins)
- 70 litre (for large bins)
The 90 litre garden waste bags are plastic-free, and ideal to collect grass cuttings, weeds and chippings, for up to 4 weeks. Read about pet-friendly gardens to avoid toxic plants and mulch (keep fresh compost away from pets, as it contains mould).
Bumboo leakproof compostable bin bags
This pack of leakproof compostable bin bags are made with Nobel Prize technology, to safely hold up to 10kg of waste, without splitting. Made from 100% plant-based polymers, they are reinforeced graphene for added durability. The liners also lock in liquid and odours due to the graphene layer, to keep your kitchen smelling fresh.
You obviously are not going to compost household rubbish, but these will safely break down in landfills, leaving no microplastics or toxins behind. The carbon in the graphene even aids the microbiome.
These bags are sold in circular, rectangular or square shapes, and bug enough to handle busy kitchens. The smooth surface slides in and out easy, even if the bin liner is full.
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