Why Municipal Programs and Compostable Trash Bags Are Finally Converging
Curbside composting is expanding fast across the United States, and with it comes a question more households are asking: can you actually use compostable trash bags in your city's program? The short answer is yes, in many cities, but the details matter. Compostable trash bags and curbside composting programs are increasingly designed to work together, but acceptance depends on certification, local policy, and how your municipality processes organic material. This article walks you through which cities are leading the way, what certifications to look for, and exactly how to check whether your neighborhood qualifies.
How Municipal Composting Programs Actually Work
Municipal or curbside composting programs collect organic material from households and process it at industrial composting facilities. These facilities operate at high temperatures, typically between 55 and 60 degrees Celsius, with controlled humidity and microbial activity. Those conditions are what allow certified compostable bags to break down properly. Under ASTM D6400 standards, certified compostable materials must reach 90% disintegration within 84 days in those conditions. EN 13432, the European equivalent, sets a similar 90-day benchmark.
This is important context because compostable bags are designed specifically for active composting environments. They do not break down effectively in a standard trash bin or landfill, where oxygen and moisture are limited. Municipal composting facilities provide exactly the conditions that make certified compostable bags function as intended.
Most programs that accept food scraps will also consider accepting certified compostable bags as liners, because using a liner makes it easier for residents to collect wet food waste without mess. But not every program does, and policies vary significantly from city to city.
Cities and Regions That Accept BPI Certified Compostable Bags
Several major US cities have established curbside composting programs that explicitly accept certified compostable bags. Here is a look at some of the programs that are most well-developed and widely used.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco has one of the oldest and most robust curbside composting programs in the country. The city accepts certified compostable bags as liners for food scraps in the green organics bin. BPI certified bags are accepted. San Francisco's program is managed by Recology, and the city has been processing organic material at scale for decades. This is a strong model for what a mature municipal composting program looks like.
New York City, New York
New York City has expanded its curbside composting program significantly, moving toward citywide mandatory participation. The program accepts food scraps, food-soiled paper, and certified compostable bags. BPI certification is the standard to look for when choosing a bag for New York's program. Given the scale of the rollout and the density of the city, NYC's expansion represents a major shift in how urban composting programs can operate.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle's composting program, operated through Seattle Public Utilities, accepts food and yard waste. The city accepts certified compostable bags and liners for use in the food and yard waste cart. Residents are directed to look for the BPI certification logo when selecting bags. Seattle has a long track record with composting infrastructure and is a reliable reference point for how these programs work in practice.
Portland, Oregon
Portland accepts certified compostable bags in its curbside food and yard debris program. The program is managed through Metro and participating haulers. BPI certified bags are accepted as liners. Portland's program has strong community participation and is one of the more established programs in the Pacific Northwest.
Denver, Colorado
Denver runs a curbside composting program that accepts food scraps and compostable serviceware. Certified compostable bags, including those that are BPI certified, are accepted as liners. Denver has been actively expanding composting access across the city, and the program continues to grow.
Austin, Texas
Austin's curbside composting program accepts food scraps and compostable materials. BPI certified bags are listed as acceptable liners. Austin Resource Recovery manages the program, and they provide guidance on what is and is not accepted through their official resources.
The Certification That Matters Most: BPI
Most US municipal composting programs that accept compostable bags specifically require or recommend BPI certification. BPI, which stands for the Biodegradable Products Institute, requires independent third-party laboratory testing before a product can carry its certification. This is not a self-declared claim. A manufacturer cannot simply label a bag as BPI certified without going through the testing and approval process.
That distinction matters because the composting industry has dealt with significant contamination problems caused by non-certified products that look identical to certified ones. Bags made from conventional plastic can be designed to look like compostable bags, and when they enter composting facilities, they contaminate the finished compost. Some compostable fiber products have also been found to contain PFAS, which can persist through the composting process and end up in farmland soil. California's AB 1201 was signed into law specifically to address this problem, requiring that products labeled compostable be third-party certified and prohibiting products containing PFAS from carrying a compostable label.
When you choose a BPI certified bag, you are choosing a product that has been independently tested and verified to meet ASTM D6400 standards. That is what municipal programs rely on when they decide what to accept.
GreeneWrap products are BPI certified, TUV Austria certified, ASTM D6400 compliant, and EN 13432 compliant. They are also PFAS free and fluorine free, confirmed by the manufacturer. That combination of certifications means they are designed to meet the standards municipal programs require.
How to Check Whether Your City Accepts Compostable Trash Bags
Not every city with a composting program accepts compostable bags. Some programs only accept loose food scraps, and some require that all material be placed directly in the bin without a liner. Here is a practical method for finding out what your local program allows.
Step 1: Find Your Waste Hauler or Program Manager
Start by identifying who manages composting in your area. This is usually your municipal waste department or a contracted hauler. You can typically find this information on your city or county's public works website. Search for terms like "organics collection," "green bin program," or "food scraps pickup" along with your city name.
Step 2: Look for an Accepted Materials List
Most programs publish an accepted materials list. Look for whether compostable bags or compostable liners are listed. When you find that section, check whether the program specifies a certification standard. Many programs that accept compostable bags will specify BPI certification or reference ASTM D6400. That is your clearest signal that certified compostable bags are welcome.
Step 3: Look for the BPI Certification Requirement
If a program accepts compostable bags, look specifically for whether they require BPI certification. This is the most reliable indicator that a bag meeting ASTM D6400 standards will be accepted. Programs that require BPI certification are working from a verified list of compliant products, which is the right approach for maintaining composting quality.
Step 4: Call or Email if You Are Unsure
Accepted materials lists are not always up to date, and policies change. If you cannot find a clear answer on the website, contact your waste hauler or municipal program directly. A short email or phone call asking "do you accept BPI certified compostable bags as liners in the food scraps cart" will get you a direct answer. This step is worth the two minutes it takes.
Step 5: Check for Program Updates
Municipal composting programs are expanding and updating their policies regularly. A program that did not accept compostable bags last year may accept them now. Setting a reminder to check your local program's website once or twice a year is a reasonable habit if you are committed to composting.
Using Compostable Bags Correctly in Curbside Programs
Even when your program accepts certified compostable bags, a few practical habits will help you use them effectively.
- Use the bag as a liner for collecting food scraps in your kitchen bin. Empty the bag into your curbside organics cart on collection day, bag and all, if your program accepts the bag as part of the load.
- Do not leave wet food waste in a compostable bag for more than one to two days. Moisture accelerates the breakdown process, and bags left with wet contents for extended periods can weaken faster than expected.
- Avoid placing sharp objects like broken bones or glass in compostable bags. Sharp edges can puncture the material. This applies to all compostable bags regardless of brand.
- Store unused bags in a cool, dry place and use them within 12 months of purchase. Compostable materials are stable under normal indoor conditions, but extended storage in heat or humidity can affect performance.
If your program does not accept the bag itself but does accept food scraps, you can still use a compostable bag in your kitchen bin for convenience. Just empty the scraps directly into the cart and compost or dispose of the bag separately through an appropriate channel, such as a drop-off composting program or a home compost bin if you have TUV OK Compost HOME certified bags.
What If Your City Does Not Have Curbside Composting Yet
Municipal programs are growing, but coverage is still uneven. If you do not have curbside composting available, you have a couple of solid alternatives.
Home composting is an option if you have outdoor space. Bags certified to TUV OK Compost HOME standard are designed to break down in a backyard compost environment at ambient temperatures, with 90% disintegration expected within 180 days. This is a longer timeframe than industrial composting, but it works under standard home compost conditions.
Drop-off composting programs are another option. Many cities and towns that have not yet launched curbside collection still operate drop-off sites where residents can bring food scraps. Some farmers markets and community gardens also run collection programs. BPI certified compostable trash bags are accepted at most drop-off sites that participate in the composting infrastructure, but it is worth confirming with the specific site.
Curbside composting will likely reach more communities in the coming years. In the meantime, drop-off and home composting are practical ways to divert food waste from landfill conditions while municipal programs catch up.
The Bottom Line
Compostable trash bags and municipal composting programs are increasingly aligned, but acceptance is not universal. The most reliable way to ensure your bags will be accepted is to choose BPI certified products and check your local program's accepted materials list before assuming. Most programs that accept compostable bags require BPI certification, which is the right standard to build policy around because it demands independent testing rather than manufacturer self-declaration. If your city is on the list above, you are in good shape. If it is not, the steps in this article will get you a clear answer in a few minutes.
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