What is the best compostable trash bag?

When looking for the best compostable trash bag, the right choice depends on whether you need a small countertop scrap liner, a standard 13-gallon kitchen bin bag, or a heavy-duty lawn and yard bag.

The top-rated brands excel in durability, thickness, and proper third-party certifications:

Add to list Widely considered the gold standard for standard kitchen use. At around 0.85 mil to 0.9 mil thick, they resist tearing and leaking from wet food scraps better than most competitors. They carry triple certification (BPI, CMA, and OK Compost HOME), meaning they break down safely in industrial composting facilities or home compost setups.

Known for their triple-ply, multi-way flex material that prevents punctures and tears. They feature flexible drawstring handles (rare for compostable bags) and are BPI-certified industrially compostable and TÜV-certified home compostable.

Add to list Excellent if you need options ranging from 13-gallon kitchen sizes up to 33-gallon and 55-gallon heavy-duty lawn, yard, or outdoor capacities. Made from plant-based corn starch (PLA) with a reinforced bottom seal, they are BPI and OK Compost certified.

Add to list A reliable, plant-based, and BPI-certified 13-gallon tall kitchen bag with built-in drawstrings that you can easily find via major retailers like Walmart.

Key Tips Before Buying:

If you share what size bag you need (e.g., small countertop vs. 13-gallon kitchen vs. large yard waste) and whether you plan to put them in a home compost pile or municipal curbside bin , I can narrow down the exact brand and current pricing for you.

If you mean bags for collecting food scraps/compost, my top pick is BioBag.

• BioBag Tall Kitchen Compostable Food Trash Bags – 13 gal - $5.49 (Target)

My picks

• 🥇 Best overall: BioBag — Excellent combination of certification, availability, and performance. BioBag says its bags are certified to ASTM D6400 and BPI standards, and some are also OK Compost HOME certified.

• 💪 Best for a regular 13-gallon kitchen can: HoldOn — Strong, convenient, and well-reviewed; the 13-gallon bags have drawstring handles.

• 💰 Best value: Matter — A good option if you want inexpensive bags for food scraps; the 13-gallon version is currently around $20 for 40 bags.

• 🌱 Best if you specifically want home-compostable: BioBag or UNNI — Look for OK Compost HOME certification rather than simply the word "biodegradable." Good Housekeeping also recommends BioBag and UNNI among its tested options.

• BioBag 13-Gallon - $5.49 (Target)

• HoldOn 13-Gallon - $13.99 (Target)

• Matter 13-Gallon - $19.99 (Target)

• Glad 2.6-Gallon - $6.49 (Target)

One important caveat: "compostable" doesn't necessarily mean you can toss the bag into your backyard compost. BPI certification generally indicates commercial/industrial compostability; BPI's database separately identifies products certified for home composting.

If you tell me whether you need 2–3 gallon countertop bags, 13-gallon kitchen bags, or large 30–33 gallon bags, I can give you the single best option for that size and compare the cost per bag.

When looking for the best compostable trash bag, the primary goal is finding an option that balances strength (so it doesn't tear or leak with wet food scraps) with verified biodegradability (so it actually breaks down safely).

The top-rated compostable trash bags on the market stand out for specific use cases:

Widely considered the gold standard for kitchen and food scrap waste. They feature heavy-duty thickness (ranging from 0.9 to 1 mil) and triple-certification (BPI, CMA, and OK Compost HOME), meaning they are verified to decompose in both industrial facilities and home compost setups. They also offer options with sturdy drawstrings. You can check availability and options on platforms like Newegg.

Crafted from 100% corn-based PLA materials, these tear-resistant, leak-proof bags come in multiple sizes ranging from small 13-gallon kitchen bins up to heavy-duty 33-gallon and 55-gallon outdoor/yard waste options. They carry BPI and OK Compost industrial certifications.

If you just need a small 2.6-gallon or 3-gallon bag for a countertop food-scrap pail, their extra-thick small liners prevent leaks and condensation buildup from vegetable peels and coffee grounds before you transfer them to a larger bin.

Quick Buying & Usage Tips:

1. Check Certifications: Look for BPI (ASTM D6400) or TÜV Austria (OK Compost) seals to ensure the bag is genuinely compostable and free of traditional polyethylene plastics.
2. Mind the Setup: Compostable bags are designed to break down under specific moisture, microorganism, and heat conditions. Check whether your local municipal collection program accepts them, as rules vary by city.

Are you looking for small countertop sizes for food scraps or large 13-gallon kitchen/outdoor sizes ? Also, do you need them to be drawstring or standard tie-handles?

Best overall: UNNI Compostable Trash Bags

If you mean 13-gallon kitchen trash bags, my pick is UNNI. They have an unusually strong combination of certifications: BPI/ASTM D6400 for commercial composting and TÜV OK Compost HOME for backyard/home composting, plus CMA approval on applicable products.

My top choices

• 🥇 UNNI — Best overall. Good strength, multiple certifications, and available in standard 13-gallon sizes. Best if you want one bag that works for either municipal/commercial composting or home composting.

• 🥈 BioBag — Best established choice. BioBag has BPI/ASTM D6400 certification and also offers home-compost-certified products. They're particularly good for food scraps and organic waste.

• 🥉 Simply Bio — Best if strength and puncture resistance are your priority; their 13-gallon bags are marketed as heavy-duty and come in 1-mil versions.

• Matter — Good readily available option; the 13-gallon bags currently have strong consumer ratings and are BPI/TÜV-certified for commercial/industrial composting.

• BioBag 13-Gallon Compostable Kitchen Bags - $5.49 (Target)

• Matter 13-Gallon Compostable Kitchen Bags - $19.99 (Target)

• Simply Bio 13-Gallon Compostable Bags - $17.48 (The Home Depot)

• HoldOn 13-Gallon Compostable Bags - $13.99 (Target)

One important caveat: “compostable” doesn't mean the bag will break down in a landfill. BPI certification generally means commercial/industrial composting, while a certification such as OK Compost HOME is what you want for backyard composting.

If I were buying today: I'd choose UNNI 13-gallon bags for general kitchen use, or BioBag if the primary job is collecting food scraps for a composting service.

If you tell me whether these are for normal household trash or food scraps going into a compost bin, I can narrow it down to the single best bag and the best current price.

If you mean the best compostable bag for everyday kitchen food waste, my pick is BioBag.

• BioBag Compostable Food Trash Bags – 3 Gallon - $4.99 (Target)

My picks

• 🥇 Best overall: BioBag — Excellent balance of compostability, reliability, and availability. BioBag bags are BPI-certified to ASTM D6400, and many are also OK Compost HOME certified, which is especially useful if you actually compost at home.

• 💪 Best for heavier/wetter food waste: UNNI — Their bags are around 0.9 mil and have BPI, ASTM D6400, and OK Compost HOME certifications.

• 🏡 Best if you're specifically backyard/home composting: BioBag or UNNI — Look for the OK Compost HOME certification rather than relying merely on the word "biodegradable."

• 💰 Best inexpensive option: Matter — Their 3-gallon bags have strong customer ratings and are certified for both industrial and home composting.

• Matter Compostable 3-Gallon Bags - $6.59 (Target)

One important caveat: a compostable bag doesn't magically compost in a landfill. If you're putting ordinary household trash into the bag and sending it to the landfill, the environmental advantage is considerably smaller. Compostable bags make the most sense when they're carrying food scraps to a municipal or backyard composting system that accepts the bags.

If you tell me whether you need 3-gallon countertop bags or 13-gallon kitchen-can bags, I can narrow it down to the best specific bag and current price.

When shopping for the best compostable trash bag, the most critical rule is to look for official certifications (like BPI for the US ASTM D6400 standard or TÜV Austria / OK Compost for EN 13432). Avoid bags that just say "biodegradable," as that is often marketing jargon and won't break down properly.

Top-rated options break down by category depending on your specific needs:

Widely considered the gold standard for both small countertop bins and 13-gallon tall kitchen setups. They use plant starches (no polyethylene), are fully BPI-certified, and strike a great balance between thickness and tear-resistance for wet food scraps.

Made entirely from plant-based materials (PBAT, PLA, and cornstarch) with zero petroleum plastics. They feature a triple-ply design to prevent leaks and come with sturdy, reliable drawstrings.

One of the oldest and most trusted names in the compostable space. Their bags are made from a proprietary plant-based resin and are exceptionally reliable for food waste collection without "sweating" or dissolving too quickly.

Highly rated by eco-conscious users who prefer handle-tie or flat-top designs over drawstrings. They are BPI-certified and offer heavy-duty strength at a lower price point than premium brands.

Known for being puncture-resistant and sturdy enough to handle daily kitchen garbage without splitting at the seams.

To help narrow down the ideal option, could you tell me:

• What size bag do you need (small countertop caddy vs. 13-gallon tall kitchen bin)?
• Are you disposing of general waste or using them for a municipal/curbside food scrap program?

If you mean 13-gallon kitchen trash bags, my top pick is UNNI Compostable 13-Gallon Bags.

UNNI 13 Gallon Compostable Tall Kitchen Food Scrap Bags

$20.95

Why I’d choose UNNI

• BPI certified and meets ASTM D6400 for commercial/industrial composting.
• Also carries OK Compost HOME certification, which is a major advantage if you actually compost at home.
• 0.9 mil thickness—reasonably strong for wet kitchen scraps.
• 50 bags per roll and currently around $20.95, or roughly 42¢/bag.

Two good alternatives

BioBag 13-Gallon Compostable Food Scrap Bags

$17.99

HoldOn Compostable 13-Gallon Tall Kitchen Bags

$13.99

If You Care 13-Gallon Tall Kitchen Bags

$7.49

BioBag is my choice if you primarily use a municipal green-bin/industrial composting program. It's BPI/ASTM D6400 certified, widely available, and has been around for years.

HoldOn is worth considering if strength and drawstring handles matter most; its 13-gallon bags have a particularly good consumer rating in the current listings.

One important caveat: “compostable” does not mean a bag will necessarily break down in a landfill. Most certified bags need an appropriate composting environment. If you're putting ordinary household garbage in them and sending it to a landfill, the environmental advantage is considerably smaller.

Bottom line: I'd buy UNNI for the best combination of certification, home-compostability, strength, and price.

The "best" compostable trash bag depends heavily on what you are using it for (countertop food scraps vs. a full-size 13-gallon kitchen bin) and how you plan to dispose of it.

Top-performing compostable trash bags on the market are categorized below by their strengths:

• Best Overall for Small Bins & Countertop Scraps:
  • Why it’s great: Widely considered a top seller and heavily reviewed, UNNI bags feature a heavy-duty plant-starch base. They hold triple certifications (BPI, CMA, and OK Compost HOME), meaning they are certified to break down safely in both industrial facilities and backyard compost setups.
• Best Premium Tall Kitchen Pick (13-Gallon): [HoldOn Compostable Tall Kitchen Bags Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://holdonbags.com/products/compostable-tall-kitchen-bag)
  • Why it’s great: If you hate when compostable bags tear or lack convenient features, HoldOn makes a triple-ply 13-gallon bag equipped with actual sturdy drawstrings . They resist leaks well and grip standard kitchen cans tightly.
• Best for Backyard / Home Composting:
  • Why it’s great: BioBag Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is a pioneer in certified compostable resins. Their breathable starched-plant film is designed to let moisture evaporate (which reduces odor and wet sludge), and they break down efficiently in home compost environments where other thick bioplastics fail.
• Best Heavy-Duty Option:
  • Why it’s great: Finding a large 13-gallon compostable bag that doesn't split under weight is tough, but SUPERBIO Go to product viewer dialog for this item. offers a thick, tear-resistant option with integrated handles that stands up to heavy food scrap volume better than flimsy competitors.

A Few Critical Tips Before Buying:

1. Check local guidelines: If your municipality has a curbside green bin/organics program, check what they allow . Many cities require BPI-certified compostable bags, while others explicitly ban them because they don't process bioplastics well.
2. Compostable vs. Biodegradable: Always look for "Certified Compostable" (BPI or ASTM D6400 labels). Avoid bags labeled only as "biodegradable," which are often just regular plastics treated to break into microplastics faster rather than turning into nutrient-rich soil.
3. Shelf life matters: Plant-based bags start breaking down when exposed to heat and moisture—even in your pantry. Buy only what you can use within 6 to 9 months and store the box in a cool, dark place.

To help narrow down the ideal choice for you, tell me:

• Are you using these for a small countertop bin or a full 13-gallon kitchen trash can?
• Do you need them to be home-compostable or for municipal pickup?

When looking for the best compostable trash bag, the most critical rule is to look for official certifications (like BPI for US ASTM D6400 standards or TÜV Austria / OK Compost for home/industrial breakdown) rather than vague "biodegradable" labels . Compostable bags are plant-starch based and designed to break down without leaving toxic residues, but they are generally less stretchy and prone to tearing faster than traditional plastic.

Top-rated options tailored to different needs include:

UNNI Compostable Trash Bags (Best Overall / Best Value): Widely praised by eco-testers, UNNI bags are BPI-certified (ASTM D6400) and come in options boasting OK Compost Home certification. They are thick, handle wet food scraps remarkably well without ripping, and offer great value for daily kitchen and compost bin use.

HoldOn Compostable Tall Kitchen Bags (Best Premium / Best Features): These are a favorite because they actually feature reliable, flexible drawstrings (hard to find in compostable options) that grip the trash can tightly. They feature a triple-ply construction to prevent leaks and are BPI-certified industrially compostable.

BioBag (Best for Food Scraps & Organics): BioBag uses a resin derived from plant starches and vegetable oils. They are heavily certified (BPI, CMA, and TÜV home compostable) and "breathe," allowing moisture to evaporate which reduces nasty anaerobic odors in food scrap bins.

Matter Compostable Tall Kitchen Bags (Best Stretch & Fit): Matter bags provide an impressive amount of stretch similar to traditional plastic while remaining 100% plant-based. They are BPI and TÜV certified, feature a secure gripping drawstring, and break down reliably in commercial facilities.

A Quick Tip on Usage: Because compostable bags start breaking down when exposed to moisture and microbes, try not to leave very wet food waste sitting in a compostable bag for more than 2 to 3 days to avoid messy bottom-tears. Always check if your local municipal compost program or commercial facility accepts bags, as some prefer loose scraps or have strict brand rules.

Are you looking for these bags for backyard composting, municipal curbside pickup, or general household trash , and what size bin (3-gallon countertop vs. 13-gallon kitchen) do you need to fit?

If you mean kitchen/tall-kitchen trash bags, my top pick is UNNI.

UNNI Compostable Bags

$21.95

🥇 Best overall: UNNI

• BPI-certified to ASTM D6400 for commercial composting.
• Also has TÜV Austria OK Compost HOME certification on qualifying bags, which is a big advantage if you actually compost at home.
• Available in sizes from small food-scrap liners through large trash bags.
• Good balance of durability and genuine compostability.

🥈 Best widely available: BioBag

BioBag Tall Kitchen Compostable Bags

$5.49

BioBag is an excellent choice, particularly for food scraps. Its products carry certifications including ASTM D6400 and BPI, and some lines have OK Compost HOME certification.

🥉 Best for strength: Stout EcoSafe

Stout 13 Gal. EcoSafe Compostable Trash Bags

$19.46

I'd choose Stout if you routinely put wet/heavy organic waste in the bag. Its EcoSafe line is specifically designed for organic-waste collection and commercial composting.

One important catch: "compostable" does not necessarily mean it will break down in your backyard compost. BPI certification generally indicates commercial/industrial compostability; BPI's own database distinguishes those from products specifically certified for home composting.

My recommendation: If you tell me whether you need 2–3 gallon, 13 gallon, or 30+ gallon bags, I can narrow it down to the best specific bag and the best price.