As more businesses and consumers shift to sustainable packaging, compostable plastic bags have become a go-to choice—but not all options on the market live up to their "eco-friendly" claims. From vague certifications to hidden performance flaws, overlooking key details during purchase can lead to wasted budget, compliance risks, and even unintended environmental harm.
With 12 years of expertise in biodegradable packaging, plseco knows what separates high-quality compostable bags from subpar ones. In this guide, we’ll break down the 6 noteworthy details you must check before buying compostable plastic bags—plus how plseco’s products are designed to meet (and exceed) these standards, ensuring you get value, compliance, and true sustainability.
The biggest mistake buyers make is trusting generic "compostable" claims without checking third-party certifications. Many low-quality bags use vague terms like "eco-friendly" or "biodegradable" but fail to meet global standards—meaning they won’t decompose properly, or may leave microplastics behind.
Look for certifications that match your target market (e.g., EU, North America, Asia). The most authoritative ones include:
- OK Compost HOME (TÜV Austria): Ensures bags decompose in home compost (20-25°C, no industrial equipment needed)—critical for consumer-facing products like food waste bags.
- ASTM D6400 (BPI, USA): Mandatory for selling compostable bags in North America; requires 90% decomposition in 180 days in industrial compost.
- EN13432 (DIN Certco, EU): The gold standard for EU markets, with strict limits on heavy metals and microplastic residues.
Every plseco compostable bag comes with multiple valid certifications—we never use "self-certified" labels. For example, our best-selling home compostable trash bags hold both OK Compost HOME and ASTM D6400 certifications, making them suitable for global markets. We also provide full certification documents (with traceable serial numbers) upon request, so you can verify authenticity directly with certifying bodies.
A common misconception is that all compostable bags break down in any environment—but the truth is, decomposition depends on temperature, moisture, and oxygen levels. A bag certified for industrial compost (high heat, 55-60°C) won’t decompose in a home backyard bin, and vice versa.
- "Is this bag certified for home compost, industrial compost, or both?"
- "What conditions (temperature, time) does it need to fully decompose?"
We clearly label every bag with its intended compost environment. For example:
- Home Compost Series: Decomposes in 120-180 days at 20-25°C (ideal for kitchen waste bags, consumer retail bags).
- Industrial Compost Series: Breaks down in 90-120 days at 55-60°C (perfect for industrial packaging, agricultural mulch).
We also provide free "decomposition test kits" to clients—include a small sample bag, a compost guide, and a timeline tracker—so you can see the decomposition process firsthand.
In the early days of compostable packaging, "eco-friendly" often meant flimsy, leaky bags. But today’s high-quality options should match (or exceed) traditional plastic’s performance—especially for high-use scenarios like food storage or heavy-duty transport.
- Load-Bearing Capacity: A good compostable shopping bag should hold 5-8kg (same as traditional plastic). plseco’s retail tote bags undergo "drop tests" with 7kg weights—no tearing or stretching.
- Leak Resistance: For food waste or liquid-containing products, check if the bag resists moisture. Our kitchen compost bags have a 0.02mm thick PLA/PBAT blend that prevents liquid seepage, even when holding wet scraps for 3-5 days.
- Temperature Tolerance: If using bags for freezing (e.g., frozen food) or microwaving (e.g., food storage), confirm they’re temperature-resistant. plseco’s food-grade bags withstand -20°C (freezing) and up to 60°C (microwaving)—no warping or chemical leaching.
The sustainability of a compostable bag doesn’t end with decomposition—it starts with how its raw materials are sourced. Some suppliers use GMO corn for PLA (Polylactic Acid) or petroleum-based additives that undermine eco-credentials.
- "Are your raw materials (PLA, PBAT) non-GMO and sustainably sourced?"
- "Do you use any petroleum-based additives?"
- Non-GMO PLA: Our PLA is made from non-GMO corn grown in Iowa (USA) and Thailand—we work only with farms that follow regenerative agriculture practices (no synthetic pesticides, minimal water use).
- Plant-Based Additives: We never use petroleum-based plasticizers. Instead, we use citric acid derivatives (from sugarcane) to boost flexibility—keeping the bag 100% compostable.
- Transparent Sourcing Reports: We share quarterly "raw material traceability reports" with clients, including farm locations, crop yields, and carbon footprint data.
Not all additives in compostable bags are safe. Some suppliers use heavy metals (like lead or cadmium) to enhance color, or phthalates to improve flexibility—these chemicals can leach into compost and contaminate soil or food.
Ask for a chemical safety report that confirms no harmful additives. Look for compliance with food contact standards like:
- FDA (USA): For bags used with food.
- EU 10/2011: For European food contact applications.
Every plseco bag is tested by third-party labs for heavy metals, phthalates, and toxic residues—results are available on request. Our food-grade bags meet both FDA and EU 10/2011 standards, so they’re safe for direct contact with fruits, vegetables, and prepared foods.
Buying compostable bags isn’t just a one-time transaction—you’ll need support for compliance, storage, and consumer education. A reliable supplier should offer resources to help you get the most out of your purchase.
- Compliance Guides: Help with local regulations (e.g., labeling requirements in California or the EU).
- Storage Tips: Compostable bags are sensitive to UV light—suppliers should advise on proper storage (cool, dry places).
- Consumer Education Materials: Signs, flyers, or QR codes that teach end-users how to compost the bags.
We provide clients with a Compliance & Education Kit that includes:
- Customizable labeling templates (to meet regional rules).
- Storage guidelines (e.g., "Store in a dark, 15-25°C warehouse—avoid direct sunlight").
- In-store posters and consumer leaflets (e.g., "How to Compost Your plseco Bag at Home").
For large clients, we also offer virtual training sessions for staff—covering everything from product specs to compost best practices.
When you purchase compostable bags from plseco, you’re not just buying a product—you’re partnering with a brand that prioritizes transparency, performance, and true sustainability. We check all the boxes for the "noteworthy details" above:
- Multiple verifiable certifications for global markets.
- Clear decomposition guidance for home/industrial use.
- Performance that matches traditional plastic (load-bearing, leak-proof, temperature-resistant).
- Ethically sourced, non-GMO raw materials.
- Zero harmful additives—safe for food and soil.
- Free post-purchase support (test kits, compliance guides, training).
Don’t let greenwashing or subpar products derail your sustainability goals. Contact plseco today to:
- Request free samples of our home/industrial compostable bags (test performance and decomposition yourself).
- Get a customized quote based on your needs (size, quantity, certification requirements).
- Access our "Compostable Bag Purchase Checklist" (a 10-point guide to avoid common mistakes).
