Living Plastic Free: Trash Bags

They sound great - but here is my query - if you are recycling everything that is recyclable, composting food scraps, and not buying anything packaged in plastic, what in gods name are you throwing away?!

Waxed cardboard isn't recyclable anywhere that I know of, and neither are paper or cardboard with food on them. Also, not all food scraps are compostable; I can't speak for EnviroWoman's fridge, but I know mine contains leftover oils and dairy that are no-nos in the compost bin and the dog sometimes won't eat.

I am absolutely in love with anyone attempting a solution to the eco killing trash bag problem...however, I'm not an advocate products (corn) made with ingredients that compete with food supplies, including fuel. - The results of this practice are already being seen in several latin american countries, particularly Mexico where the price of corn has tripled in just the last 10 months.

However, that being said, it doen't mean were not on the right track.

I'm not of scientific background.....but I wonder if hemp could be concocted as a biodegradeable trash bag or store bag alternative. Mercedes Benz uses a "biocomposite" composed principally of hemp fiber for the manufacture of interior panels in some of its automobiles.

With this thinking in mind...can hemp be made into garbage bags? And if anyone knows...are the biocomposites considered eco friendly?

I'm looking for an alternative to plastic bags as well but can't seem to find anything in my area. As soon as you hear about Bag-To-Nature being sold in stores you should let everyone know. People don't use alternatives because they don't even KNOW that there are alternatives, nor do they realize that all the plastic they are throwing away is going into landfills.

Everyone reading this page must be tenacious in educating everyone they can.

I bought the Bag-to Nature bags at Giant Tiger in St. Catharines, On. I started to use them for my kitchen scraps that are going to my composting pile, but they take a looooong time to dissolve. Lately, I just use them for kitchen scraps but I won’t put them in the pile until further research.

Animal remains (bones, meat, etc.) and starches (such as pasta and bread) are a health hazard when composted because of vermin and bacteria. Most cities only allow vegetable scraps to be composted (no left overs from dinner); therefore, the majority of people will still need to dispose of garbage.

Though I amy consider this product when it is available, I was curious if anyone knows of a source for environmentally responsible, recycled, or otherwise "good" paper bag supplier. for my NYC small apartment existence, I am happy to give up plastic altogether (mostly have already) and would prefer a simple paper bag for trash disposal. I have already gone past that to simply dump the plastic trash bin in the public bins once a day, but dragging the bin up and down 5 flights of stairs is a pain, and I would consider investing in a paper bag that didn't have to come bag upstairs with me.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Corinna

Hi, I would like to invite you to our upcoming event entitled environmentology happening in our school by december or january. You could display those bags and probably make a sale on that event you may also make a talk on what this bags all about.. if your interested just mail me tnx!

There are a lot of problems with PLA - If we made all of the plastic disposable items used in the world every year out of PLA, it would take one hundred million tons of corn to make it. That would lead to mass starvation in the third world, as that represents at least 10% of the world's grain supply. Also, in landfills, PLA exudes methane when it decomposes-and methane is a potent greenhouse gas. It also takes a huge amount of diesel to grow, fertilize, ship, and process this corn. As a practical matter, it is also not recyclable. The alternative? Oxo-biodegradable plastics. See http://biogreenproducts.biz for full information. -Tim Dunn

Don't automatically trust that your grocery store actually recycles the bags you put into that "recycle station" - I worked at two large chain grocery stores when I was still in school years ago. The plastic bag recycle bin would fill up every few days, and when they did fill, where were we instructed to put them? In the garbage, with all the other garbage.

I have been using Bag-To-Nature for years and they are amazing! They are soo much better than plastic and are more durable than other similar compostable/biodegradable bags. If you call INDACO at 1(800)433-7334 they can tell you where they are carried or go to their web site at www.indaco.ca

This is really interesting take on the concept. I never thought of it that way. I came across this site recently which I think will be of great use http://www.buygreensavvy.com. Have a look!

Try EconoGreen!

I would say that lots of companies are doing their best to manufacture plastic bags that are better for the environment. In fact, the company I represent, Jig-A-Loo USA, Inc., has recently introduced a new line of plastic bags called EconoGreen that are made from:
100% recycled plastic
100% oxodegradable
100% recyclable.

These EconoGreen bags and drop cloths contain an additive that will completely break down within 2 years after use. Considerably less than traditional plastic bags and especially grocery bags that we often use as garbage bags. Plus, you can't beat the price. An eco-friendly product shouldn't break the bank!

For more information, visit our Jig-A-Loo website!

The result of making non-food items out of corn has driven a price spike in the world grain supply that threatens hundreds of millions of impoverished third world citizens with starvation.

A further effect of this is to deny citizens the benefits of new technology that makes inexpensive, recyclable, disposable plastic products-garbage bags, shopping bags, plastic cutlery, straws, styrofoam cups and containers, deli containers, soda bottles, etc. etc. The recycling lobby is trying to ban corn based plastic bottles, because it gets confused with PET, and wrecks their recycled PET plastic batches.

Who is behind this? I can’t prove it, but I strongly believe that Cargill Inc. and Dow Inc. have been working behind the scenes to create this spike in corn prices, with no concern whatsoever for the lives of hundreds of millions of people who struggle to find food every day. Cargill has acquired the 50 percent interest in Cargill Dow LLC previously 100% owned by Dow Chemical Co. and has renamed the company NatureWorks LLC. That’s right, that friendly neighbor Dow that brought you napalm and Agent Orange. Cargill is a huge company that has a great interest in making things besides food out of corn-no matter how many millions of children in the third world starve to death as a result. Campaign contribution laws in this country are so lax that I don’t think they even had to break the law to get away with this appalling tactic.

This is true, but if done properly it's possible. Another thing I didn't see mentioned is: reducing your waste by reducing the waste of food
-never have leftovers to throw away or make sure they are always eaten
-stale bread isn't garbage it can be made into numerous dishes and desserts, one easy favorite is french toast soaked over night in the egg.
I don't see why dairy needs to go into the garbage, i never toss milk nor cheeses i make sure they are used. Also a lot of cheeses may mold over a bit, but all you need to do is cut off that portion, the cheese is still good.

A side benefit to this all? You save a lot of money!

Also since the topic on hand has to do with landfills - STOP using paper towels! regular white cotton or linen tea or flour towels are all you would ever need to clean cover food etc. You wash them and can use them for years without killing trees just so you can wipe up some juice 'conveniently.' Plus have you seen how much paper towels cost!!!!

WEll thats enough. Do everything you can, you have more free time than you thnk.