Compostable Garbage Bags

Switching to sustainable waste management is no longer just a trend, it is a necessity. As cities across India, including Mangaluru, push for stricter waste segregation, compostable garbage bags have emerged as the ultimate alternative to toxic single-use plastic liners.

However, simply buying an eco-friendly bag isn’t enough. To truly benefit the environment, these plant-based bags must be disposed of correctly. If you throw a compostable bag into a regular plastic recycling bin or a landfill, it defeats its environmental purpose.

Here is your complete guide to using and disposing of compostable garbage bags the right way.

Why Choose Compostable Garbage Bags?

Unlike traditional plastic bags that take hundreds of years to break down into harmful microplastics, authentic compostable bags (like those manufactured by SAKRT) are made from plant starches. When disposed of in the right conditions, they break down into water, carbon dioxide, and nutrient-rich biomass within 3 to 6 months. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Disposing of Compostable Garbage Bags

1. Strictly for Wet Waste (Organic Waste)

Compostable garbage bags are designed to handle organic, biodegradable waste. Use them specifically for your kitchen bins to collect fruit peels, vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and leftover food. Do not use them for dry waste like glass, metal, or recyclable hard plastics.

2. Send to an Industrial Composting Facility

Most municipal waste management systems in India are upgrading to include wet-waste processing. When you hand over your segregated wet waste in a CPCB-certified compostable bag to your local waste collector, it is transported to an industrial composting facility. These facilities provide the perfect balance of heat (above 50 degrees Celsius), moisture, and oxygen needed to break the bags down rapidly.

3. Home Composting (If Applicable)

If you maintain a compost pit in your garden or apartment complex, check if your bags are certified for “Home Composting.” If they are, you can bury the bag directly in your compost bin along with your organic waste. Remember to turn your compost pile regularly to aerate it, which speeds up the decomposition of the bag.

4. Never Mix with Recyclable Plastics

This is the most common mistake! Never throw a compostable bag into a “Dry Waste” or “Plastics Recycling” bin. Compostable materials cannot be recycled alongside standard PET or HDPE plastics. Mixing them ruins the plastic recycling batch.

How to Identify Genuine Compostable Bags

Unfortunately, the market is flooded with fake “oxo-biodegradable” plastics that claim to be eco-friendly but merely shatter into microplastics. To ensure you are buying the right product, look for:

  • CPCB Certificate Number: Central Pollution Control Board approval must be printed on the bag.
  • IS/ISO Standards: Look for IS/ISO 17088 certification for compostability.
  • No “100% Plastic” Feel: Plant-based bags often have a softer, slightly matte texture compared to glossy polythene.

Make the Switch with SAKRT

At SAKRT, we manufacture 100% CPCB-certified compostable garbage bags that are heavy-duty, leak-proof, and completely plant-based. Whether you are managing household waste, running a restaurant, or overseeing facility management, our garbage bags ensure you stay compliant with plastic ban regulations while protecting the environment.

SAKRT – A Brand of Envirly Innovations Pvt Ltd