

Both are better for the environment than regular plastic garbage bags, but one can be slightly better, depending on your current waste collection system.īoth biodegradable and compostable trash bags are made from chemicals that break down more quickly than polymer plastics. It’s important to understand the difference between compostable and biodegradable. Using compostable garbage bags in your Chicago home is an easy, affordable switch! The Difference Between Compostable & Biodegradable We just need everyone to do the best they can with making small choices. One thing I always try to emphasize is that the world doesn’t need everyone to be absolutely perfect at “being green”. Swapping out your garbage bags is a great place to start! When plastics do physically break down, they send microplastics into the ocean – which destroy delicate aquatic ecosystems and get swallowed by sea animals.Īll of this is to say that reducing plastic use a little at a time can only be helpful. Instead, it releases high energy gasses back into the atmosphere, causing pollution. Plastic does not decompose in a healthy way. Additionally, in a recent poll, almost half of Americans reported using at least 25 garbage bags per month.

According to National Geographic, the average American produces almost 4.5 pounds of garbage per day, or about 1500 pounds each year.
