My Solution to Garbage Bags....

In my area, trash bags are required by the HOA and possibly by the collector as well. We get a lot of wind and bins are tipped over regularly so having trash bagged makes clean up easier. I also have pets to clean up after and I would hate to have their waste loose in the bin. I try to use paper bags as much as possible and compostable bags when paper isn’t practical.

I live in a very rural area in a very hot, humid climate. We don’t have trash collection. We have to haul it to dumpsters. Without trash bags, this would be impossible for us. It’s a nice thought if you can work it. It’s just not feasible for a lot of folks.

I do think bagging it keeps it from getting loose between the house and it’s destination, especially considering most peoples lids aren’t even closed completely when on the curb. In my house I get some participation, but I don’t think everyone will comply to keep the trash can minimally gross, so yes a lot of extra cleaning or living with mold habitats. I have been using compostable trash bags that I get from my grocery store in our kitchen trash can. I reuse the small bin bags and empty them into the kitchen bin right before taking it to the big bin, which I keep in my garage and therefore also try to keep clean. I think it’s a good idea depending on the commitment of the house hold, logistics of pick up, and the weather (wind).

I live in Seattle, WA, USA. The problem I see is that our bins are picked up by the truck & emptied. If the items don’t fall out of the bin into the truck, it’s tough luck. No longer are the days where someone reaches into your bin to pull out any trash that is stuck in there. It’s not the end of the world though if all garbage didn’t empty out each week but most of it would need to empty out into the truck. I say it worth the experiment though. Great thought!

We found a source for compostable garbage bags (albeit expensive), so that’s what we’re using now. My parents still get paper bags at the grocery store, still get the newspaper and line the bottom of the kitchen trash can with that before taking it to their garbage can.

We found a source for compostable garbage bags (albeit expensive), so that’s what we’re using now. My parents still get paper bags at the grocery store, still get the newspaper and line the bottom of the kitchen trash can with that before taking it to their garbage can.

I’ve been doing this for some time, and it works for me! I use a compostable bag in my kitchen trash can, which I empty directly into the large outdoor bin — I often hold on to the compostable bag to reuse (unless it has gotten nasty). My compost scraps are dealt with separately, so my trash is usually pretty un-gross. There are lots of loose items in the outdoor bin, but I haven’t noticed any issues with items being lost in the transfer to the garbage collection truck (a concern of some of the other commenters). I say we all go for it!

If garbage isn’t in a bag it blows all over while they’re dumping it into the truck and as they are driving. And if some doesn’t go in the truck they don’t pick it up they just leave it. I buy garbage bags that use recycled plastic so at least it’s less new plastic. Unless you have no plastic in your garbage and it’s all compostable I don’t see how it can be better for the environment. I think the best solution right now at least is to try to have as little garbage as you can so you don’t need as many garbage bags.