If you're searching for 13 gallon compostable trash bags, you're probably standing in your kitchen holding a trash can that regular bags never seem to fit right. Too big and they bunch up. Too small and they tear at the seams. Getting the size right matters more than most people think, especially when you're working with a compostable material that behaves differently than conventional plastic. This guide walks through how to pick the correct size, what certifications actually mean, and how to use these bags without wasting money on the wrong fit.
Why 13 Gallon Is the Most Common Kitchen Trash Size
Thirteen gallon is the standard size for tall kitchen trash cans in most US households. It's big enough to handle a few days of household waste without needing a change every night, but small enough to lift out and carry to the curb or compost bin without straining. If you own a slim, tall kitchen can (the kind that fits in the narrow gap between the counter and the wall), there's a good chance it's built for a 13 gallon liner.
GreeneWrap's compostable trash bags in this size come as the 13 Gallon Compostable Trash Bags with Drawstring, 30 Count (SKU GW-13D30, $17.99). Each bag measures 24 x 27 inches, runs 1 mil thick, and closes with a drawstring for a quick tie-off. The bottom uses a flat seal, which keeps the base sturdy under normal kitchen waste like food scraps, paper towels, and packaging.
Choosing the Right 13 Gallon Compostable Trash Bags for Your Kitchen
Not every "13 gallon" trash can is actually 13 gallons. Manufacturers round sizes, and older cans sometimes run larger than their labeled capacity. Before you buy a full case, measure your can's height and diameter, then compare it against the bag's flat dimensions. A bag that measures 24 x 27 inches unfolds to roughly that size when flat, so you want your can's circumference and height to fit comfortably within that spread with a few inches to spare for the drawstring closure.
If your can runs a bit larger, or you deal with heavier kitchen waste like bones from cooking (not to be composted, just disposed of), consider stepping up to the 13-15 Gallon Compostable Trash Bags with Drawstring, Heavy Duty 1.2 Mil, 30 Count (SKU GW-15D30, $19.49). These measure 25 x 32 inches and use a thicker 1.2 mil material, which gives a bit more room and a bit more puncture resistance for a similar price difference.
13 Gallon vs 13-15 Gallon: Quick Comparison
- 13 Gallon (GW-13D30): 1 mil, 24 x 27 in, best for standard tall kitchen cans, $17.99 for 30 bags.
- 13-15 Gallon (GW-15D30): 1.2 mil, 25 x 32 in, better for slightly larger cans or heavier daily waste, $19.49 for 30 bags.
Both are BPI certified, OK Compost HOME certified, OK Compost INDUSTRIAL certified, and TUV Austria certified. The certification level is identical, so the decision really comes down to can size and how much weight you're putting in the bag each day.
What Certified Compostable Actually Means
This part matters, and it's worth being direct about it. "Compostable" is not a marketing word, it's a certification. GreeneWrap's 13 gallon bags meet ASTM D6400 in the US and EN 13432 in the EU, both of which require 90 percent disintegration within 84 to 90 days under industrial composting conditions (high heat, controlled humidity, active microbial activity). BPI certification backs this up with independent third-party lab testing, not a self-declared claim on a package.
These bags also carry OK Compost HOME certification, meaning they're tested to break down in a standard backyard compost bin at ambient temperature within 180 days. That's a slower process than industrial composting, but it's still a verified standard, not a guess.
Compostable also means something specific about what happens at the end: the bag breaks down into CO2, water, and organic matter, with no toxic residue and no microplastics left behind. It does not mean the bag disappears the moment it hits a bin. It requires active composting conditions, heat, moisture, and microbial activity, to actually start breaking down. And like all organic materials, compostable bags decompose more slowly in landfill conditions where oxygen and moisture are limited. These bags are designed for active composting environments, not landfills.
One more note on materials: GreeneWrap products are PFAS free and fluorine free, confirmed by the manufacturer. This matters more than it used to, since California's AB 1201 now prohibits PFAS in anything labeled compostable and requires third-party certification before a product can carry the compostable claim at all. Not every brand on the market can say the same, so if you're comparing products, check for BPI certification specifically before you trust the label.
Using Your 13 Gallon Bags Correctly
A compostable bag isn't just a plastic bag with a better story. It behaves differently, and knowing that up front saves frustration.
- Wet waste: These bags handle wet food scraps fine for short-term use, but don't leave wet waste sitting in the bag for more than 1 to 2 days. Moisture speeds up the breakdown process, which is the point of the material, but it means a bag left too long can start to weaken before you get it out to the curb.
- Sharp objects: Broken glass or bones can puncture any compostable bag, the same way they'd puncture a thin conventional liner. This isn't a flaw specific to GreeneWrap, it applies across the category. If you're tossing something sharp, wrap it separately first.
- Storage before use: Keep unused bags in a cool, dry place and use them within 12 months of purchase. They're stable under normal indoor storage conditions, but they're not designed to sit in a hot garage for years before you get around to using them.
If your household generates a lot of loose food scraps between meals, it's worth pairing your 13 gallon liner with a smaller compostable food bags setup under the sink for daily scrap collection, then emptying that smaller bag into the larger bin liner or straight into your compost bin. It keeps the big bag cleaner and cuts down on how often you're hauling it out.
Where These Bags Actually Go When You're Done
Correct disposal depends on what's available where you live, and it's worth checking before you assume.
- Curbside composting programs: Most US municipal composting programs accept BPI certified bags, but policies vary by city. Check your local guidelines and look specifically for a BPI certification requirement to confirm eligibility.
- Backyard compost bin: Because these bags carry OK Compost HOME certification, they're suited for a standard backyard bin, not just an industrial facility. Expect a slower timeline (up to 180 days) at ambient temperature.
- Industrial composting facility: If your city runs a commercial composting operation, this is the fastest path to full breakdown, generally within 84 to 90 days under high heat and controlled conditions.
What these bags are not suited for: regular trash bins headed to landfill, and ocean or waterway disposal. They simply won't break down the way they're designed to in either environment, and I'd rather say that plainly than let anyone assume a compostable label means it disappears anywhere it ends up.
When 13 Gallon Isn't the Right Size
If you've read this far and realized your kitchen can is smaller or larger than 13 gallons, don't force the fit. GreeneWrap carries 13 sizes total, from 1-2 gallon bags for small countertop scrap bins up to 90-95 gallon bags for yard waste. A few common swaps:
- Small under-sink scrap bins: 1-2 Gallon or 2-4 Gallon Drawstring bags.
- Bathroom or small office cans: 4-6 Gallon or 6-8 Gallon Drawstring bags.
- Larger kitchen or laundry room cans: 30-35 Gallon Heavy Duty Flat Top bags.
- Outdoor yard waste: 50-55 Gallon up through 90-95 Gallon Heavy Duty bags.
Getting the size right isn't just about tidiness. A bag that's too small stretches thin at the seams and is more likely to fail early. A bag that's too large bunches up, which wastes material and makes the bag harder to tie off securely. Match the bag to the can, and you'll get a cleaner fit and fewer surprises on trash day.
The Bottom Line
Thirteen gallon compostable trash bags work well for the vast majority of standard kitchen cans, and the choice between the 1 mil GW-13D30 and the slightly heavier 1.2 mil GW-15D30 usually comes down to your can's exact dimensions and how much daily waste you're generating. Both carry the same certifications: BPI, OK Compost HOME, OK Compost INDUSTRIAL, and TUV Austria. That means you're not choosing between "safe" and "not safe," you're choosing between two verified options that fit slightly different needs. Measure your can, check your local composting program, and pick the size that actually matches what you're throwing away.
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