The best curbside composting programs food scrap bags are those certified to BPI standards and compliant with ASTM D6400, because most municipal collection programs send food scraps to industrial composting facilities that require independently verified compostable packaging, not bags simply labeled "biodegradable" or "eco-friendly."
What Are the Best Curbside Composting Programs Food Scrap Bags to Use?
Curbside composting programs food scrap bags need to meet two conditions: they must be certified compostable under a recognized standard, and that certification must specifically cover industrial composting, since curbside collection routes food scraps to commercial composting facilities rather than backyard compost piles. Bags that only carry a home composting certification, or no certification at all, may not break down within the timeframe a municipal facility operates on. Look for a BPI certification mark or an OK Compost INDUSTRIAL mark on the packaging before placing a bag in a green bin.
What Is a Curbside Composting Program?
A curbside composting program is a municipal or private collection service where households place food scraps and sometimes yard waste into a designated bin, which is then picked up on a regular schedule, similar to recycling or trash collection. The collected material is transported to a composting facility, usually an industrial or commercial-scale operation, where it is processed under controlled conditions. These programs exist in many cities and counties across the US, though availability, accepted materials, and bag requirements vary significantly from one municipality to the next. Some programs accept certified compostable bags, some require no bag at all (loose scraps only), and some restrict acceptable bags to a specific certification list. Checking with the local program before use is the only reliable way to confirm requirements.
How Do Compostable Food Scrap Bags Break Down in These Programs?
Compostable bags break down through microbial activity that converts the material into carbon dioxide, water, and organic matter, leaving no toxic residue and no microplastics behind. This process only occurs under active composting conditions, meaning it requires sustained heat, moisture, and microbial exposure. It does not happen on its own inside a kitchen bin or while a bag sits in regular household trash.
Industrial composting facilities, the kind most curbside programs rely on, operate at high temperatures of roughly 55-60 degrees Celsius with controlled humidity and active microbial populations. Under ASTM D6400 (the US standard) and EN 13432 (the EU standard), certified bags must demonstrate 90% disintegration within 84 days and 90 days respectively under these conditions. This is a meaningfully faster and more complete breakdown than what occurs in a backyard compost pile, which operates at ambient temperature and is covered by a separate standard, TUV OK Compost HOME, requiring 90% disintegration within 180 days.
This distinction matters directly for curbside programs. A bag certified only for home composting was tested under backyard conditions and may not have been verified to perform the same way in a commercial facility's higher-heat environment, even though both certifications fall under the broader "compostable" label. Checking which certification applies to the specific bag in hand, rather than assuming all compostable bags are interchangeable, is the most reliable way to avoid a rejected bin or a bag that lingers in the compost stream longer than expected.
What Certifications and Standards Apply to Food Scrap Bags?
Several certifications exist to verify compostability claims, and understanding what each one covers helps separate a tested product from a marketing claim.
- BPI Certified: Requires independent third-party laboratory testing before certification is granted. This is not a self-declared claim; the product must demonstrate compliance with ASTM D6400 to earn the mark.
- ASTM D6400 (USA): The US standard for compostability in industrial facilities, requiring 90% disintegration within 84 days under high-heat, high-humidity, microbially active conditions.
- EN 13432 (EU): The European equivalent standard, requiring 90% disintegration within 90 days under similar industrial composting conditions.
- OK Compost INDUSTRIAL (TUV Austria): Confirms a product has been tested and verified for industrial composting environments specifically.
- OK Compost HOME (TUV Austria): Confirms a product has been tested for backyard composting at ambient temperature, a different and generally slower process than industrial composting.
GreeneWrap's compostable trash and food storage bags carry all of these certifications: BPI Certified, TUV Austria Certified, OK Compost HOME, OK Compost INDUSTRIAL, and compliance with both ASTM D6400 and EN 13432. GreeneWrap products are also PFAS free and fluorine free, as confirmed by the manufacturer; this is specific to GreeneWrap and should not be assumed of compostable products generally, since some compostable products on the market may contain PFAS and this should always be checked against the product's own certification documentation.
It is also worth noting the difference between "compostable" and "biodegradable," since the two terms are often used interchangeably but are not the same thing. "Biodegradable" is a general, largely unregulated term indicating that a material will eventually break down, with no required timeframe, no required end state, and no independent testing behind the claim. "Compostable" is a certified, testable claim with specific standards, timeframes, and third-party verification attached, as outlined above. When selecting bags for a curbside composting program, a "biodegradable" label alone offers no assurance that the bag will behave correctly in a composting facility; a BPI or OK Compost INDUSTRIAL certification does.
How Do You Prepare Food Scraps for Curbside Collection?
Preparing food scraps correctly helps the collection process run smoothly and keeps bags intact until pickup.
- Line a small countertop bin with a certified compostable bag sized for food scraps, then transfer the filled bag to the larger curbside bin on collection day, following the specific program's instructions.
- Avoid leaving wet food waste in a compostable bag for more than 1-2 days. Moisture accelerates the breakdown process, and a bag that begins breaking down before collection day can leak or tear.
- Keep sharp or bone-in scraps in mind. Items like bones or broken glass can puncture any compostable bag, regardless of brand, so lining the bin and checking for sharp debris before sealing helps prevent mid-week leaks.
- Store unused bags in a cool, dry place and use them within 12 months of purchase to maintain their performance.
- Confirm the local program's accepted bag list. Some municipal programs publish a specific list of approved certified bags, while others accept any bag carrying a BPI or OK Compost INDUSTRIAL mark.
Because curbside programs differ by city, the acceptance of any specific compostable bag brand should be confirmed directly with the local program or hauler before relying on it for weekly collection.
Which Bag Sizes Work Best for Food Scraps?
For kitchen countertop collection, smaller bag sizes tend to fit standard food scrap bins and pails most households use. GreeneWrap's 1-2 Gallon Small Kitchen Food Scrap Compostable Trash Bags (100 count, 1 mil, drawstring closure) are sized for compact under-sink or countertop bins. The 2-4 Gallon Small Kitchen Food Scrap Compostable Trash Bags (100 count, 1 mil, drawstring closure) suit slightly larger kitchen pails. Both carry BPI Certified, TUV Austria Certified, OK Compost HOME, and OK Compost INDUSTRIAL certifications, along with ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 compliance, which supports their use in both backyard and municipal composting settings depending on which program is available locally.
Households managing larger volumes of food and yard waste together, such as those combining kitchen scraps with garden debris for a larger municipal green bin, may find the 13 Gallon or 13-15 Gallon drawstring bags more practical for the outdoor collection bin itself, while a smaller bag continues to handle the kitchen-side collection step.
FAQ
Do all curbside composting programs accept compostable bags?
No. Acceptance varies by city and hauler. Some programs accept BPI certified or OK Compost INDUSTRIAL certified bags, some accept only loose food scraps with no bag, and some have a specific approved list. Checking directly with the local program before use is the only reliable way to confirm.
What is the difference between compostable and biodegradable bags?
Compostable bags are tested and certified to meet specific standards, such as ASTM D6400 or EN 13432, with defined breakdown timeframes and independent verification. Biodegradable is a general term with no required testing, timeframe, or certification behind it, which makes it a less reliable indicator for curbside composting use.
Will compostable food scrap bags break down if they end up in regular trash?
Like all organic materials, compostable bags decompose more slowly in landfill conditions where oxygen and moisture are limited. They are designed for active composting environments, such as industrial composting facilities or backyard compost systems, not for landfill disposal.
How long can wet food scraps sit in a compostable bag before collection?
Wet food waste should not sit in a compostable bag for more than 1-2 days, since moisture accelerates the breakdown process and can cause the bag to weaken or leak before pickup.
How can I verify a bag's compostable claim before using it for curbside collection?
Look for a specific certification mark, such as BPI Certified, OK Compost INDUSTRIAL, or compliance with ASTM D6400, printed on the packaging. A certification mark reflects independent third-party laboratory testing, while unmarked claims like "eco-friendly" or "compostable" alone, without a standard referenced, cannot be independently verified.