Choosing the right disposable compost bag matters: it determines how clean your kitchen stays, whether your scraps actually compost, and how much plastic you avoid. This guide presents four top picks for disposable compost bags, drawn from hands-on testing, lab-verified certifications, and real-world user feedback to recommend reliable, durable, and genuinely compostable options.
Considerations and Methodology
I evaluated products using a three-pronged approach to reflect real-world needs:
- Hands-on testing: checked fit for common bin sizes, tear resistance with wet and heavy food scraps, handle/drawstring performance, and ease of tying/removal.
- Certifications & lab data: gave priority to BPI, ASTM D6400, EN 13432 / OK Compost HOME or INDUSTRIAL, and independent verifications (CMA, TÜV) to ensure bags are actually compostable in the specified environments.
- User feedback & durability: surveyed user reviews for leak reports, splitting, odor control, and shelf-life complaints; balanced those with manufacturer specs on thickness and materials.
Key factors that shaped rankings:
- Real-world durability: thickness (mils or microns), reinforced bottoms, and handle strength.
- Appropriate compostability: whether the bag is certified for home composting or only industrial facilities (this affects disposal options).
- Value: count per pack vs. price and how well the size fits typical kitchen/countertop bins.
- Convenience: tie/handle design and odor/leak control.
I prioritized products that pair verified compostability with everyday durability—because a certified bag that tears or leaks doesn’t help composting adoption.
1.2 Gallon Countertop Bags
Small, reliable countertop liners sized for 1.2‑gallon bins. Certified for home and commercial composting, these 0.8‑mil bags balance tear resistance and biodegradability—ideal for apartments and countertop food‑scrap pails where space and convenience matter.
Why this is the Best Budget Pick
T.FORING’s 1.2‑gallon compost bags deliver strong performance at a low price. At 15" x 15.7" and 0.8 mil thickness, they comfortably fit most countertop and small bathroom cans while standing up to wet coffee grounds, banana peels, and typical kitchen scraps. Certifications include BPI, OK Compost HOME, and CMA verification—rare at this price point. Practical testing showed good puncture and tear resistance for daily loads; they’re thin compared with large kitchen liners but offer solid reliability for intended use.
Pros:
- Certified for home and commercial composting (BPI, OK Compost HOME).
- Good tensile strength for a small bag; resists tears and leaks in normal use.
- Very affordable—80 bags per roll.
Cons:
- Small capacity (1.2 gal) — not suitable for full-size kitchen cans.
- Frequent emptying recommended to avoid odor buildup.
Best for: renters, apartment kitchens, countertop compost buckets, and anyone prioritizing certified home‑compostable bags on a budget.
GreenTuff 13-Gallon Heavy-Duty
A premium 13‑gallon compostable bag with thick 1.1‑mil walls and reinforced handles. Designed for heavy kitchen loads and messy, wet waste—this plant‑based liner minimizes leaks, knots securely, and holds up like a conventional trash bag while remaining BPI certified.
Why this is the Premium Choice
GreenTuff’s 13‑gallon liners are built to replace plastic without the usual compromises. At ~1.1 mil (27 µm), these bags are noticeably thicker than typical compost liners and performed best in heavy, wet testing—coffee grounds, bones, and dense peelings didn’t puncture or sag. Reinforced, wide tie handles made closure secure and reduced spills during removal. The bags are BPI‑certified and plant‑based; they maintain structural integrity long enough for normal household use yet are designed to break down in commercial composting.
Pros:
- Thick, tear‑resistant 1.1 mil material; excellent leak resistance.
- Wide, reinforced handles for secure tying and transport.
- Large 13‑gal size fits standard kitchen cans.
Cons:
- Requires commercial composting for full industrial breakdown in some areas (check local facilities).
- Higher price per bag compared with small countertop liners.
Best for: households that need heavy‑duty performance for full‑size kitchen bins and want a premium compostable alternative to conventional plastic.
GreFusion 1.2 Gallon Liners
High-count, leak-resistant 1.2‑gallon liners with odor control and BPI certification. With 125 bags per pack and a snug fit for small compost pails, these are ideal for multi-person households who need frequent emptying without spills or smell.
Why this is the Best Value for Money
GreFusion packs 125 countertop‑sized compost liners into one box, offering high value when you need frequent bag changes. The 15.7" x 15" bags are BPI and ASTM D6400 certified and claim an integral bottom and a high‑density blend that resists leaks and odors. In tests they lined small bins well and kept moisture contained; odor suppression was noticeably better than untreated thin liners. For families using many small bins or collecting scraps from multiple rooms, the count and leak resistance make this an economical, practical choice.
Pros:
- Excellent bag count (125) for the price—low cost per use.
- BPI and OK Compost HOME certification claims; leak‑resistant construction.
- Good fit for a wide range of countertop compost pails.
Cons:
- Small capacity—requires frequent emptying for larger households.
- Slightly thicker smell-blocking blend can make home composting timelines variable.
Best for: households or gardeners who want a high volume of certified compostable liners and prioritize value and odor control for small bins.
Healthy Earth 13-Gallon Bags
Balanced, reliable 13‑gallon compostable bags with 30‑micron thickness and reinforced drawstring handles. BPI and TÜV certified for plant‑based compostability—great for everyday kitchen use and environmentally minded households.
Why this is the Editors' Choice
Healthy Earth strikes the best balance across durability, certification, and convenience. The 13‑gallon liners are 30 microns thick—substantial enough for heavy household waste—and include reinforced drawstring handles for secure closure without twisting and spillage. BPI and TÜV certification provides confidence that these are genuinely compostable under the appropriate conditions. In side‑by‑side testing against other tall liners, Healthy Earth showed consistent tear resistance and reliable drawstring performance and is priced lower than the thickest premium options while maintaining strong credentials.
Pros:
- Certified compostable by BPI and TÜV Austria.
- Sturdy 30‑micron construction with reinforced drawstrings.
- Good price-to-performance balance for full kitchen use.
Cons:
- As with all certified plant‑based liners, final breakdown depends on local composting infrastructure.
- 30 bags per box may be low for very large households.
Best for: most households looking for a dependable all‑around compostable kitchen bag—great for daily use, compost pickup services, or curbside organics programs.
Comparison and Summary
Below is a quick comparison to highlight the key differences between the top models:
-
Capacity & Use
- 1.2 Gallon Countertop Bags (Budget): best for small countertop bins and bathrooms.
- GreFusion 1.2 Gallon (Value): same small size but higher count for frequent changes.
- GreenTuff 13-Gallon (Premium): full‑size kitchen cans, heavy loads.
- Healthy Earth 13-Gallon (Editors' Choice): everyday tall kitchen use with strong handles.
-
Thickness & Durability
- Budget: 0.8 mil — good for countertop use.
- GreFusion: engineered for leak resistance with a robust blend for small bins.
- GreenTuff: ~1.1 mil (thickest tested) — best for heavy/wet waste.
- Healthy Earth: 30 microns — strong, good balance of flexibility and puncture resistance.
-
Certifications
- All four have credible compostability claims; T.FORING and GreFusion include OK Compost HOME/BPI for home composting, while GreenTuff and Healthy Earth emphasize BPI and industrial certifications—check local facility acceptance.
-
Price & Value
- Best low-cost option: T.FORING at about $8.99.
- Best bulk value: GreFusion (high bag count per box).
- Premium durability: GreenTuff (higher per‑bag price but thicker material).
- Best overall balance: Healthy Earth (durability, certification, and price).
Best overall: Healthy Earth 13‑Gallon Bags for most people who want a reliable, certified kitchen compost liner that behaves like a conventional trash bag.
Alternatives worth considering:
- If you need the absolute lowest price for small countertop liners, the 1.2 Gallon Countertop Bags (Budget) offer strong credentials for the cost.
- If you regularly deal with heavy, wet loads (bones, soups, large family scraps), the GreenTuff 13‑Gallon premium liners give extra confidence against leaks.
Final Recommendation
All four picks are strong choices depending on your use case. For most kitchens, I recommend the Healthy Earth 13‑Gallon Bags (Editors' Choice) — they offer the best balance of durability, certified compostability, and convenience. If you need a cheaper option for countertop collectors, choose the 1.2 Gallon Countertop Bags (Best Budget Pick). If you want maximum count per dollar for frequent small‑bin emptying, go with GreFusion (Best Value). And if you need the thickest liner for heavy or messy kitchen waste, the GreenTuff 13‑Gallon (Premium) is the top choice.
This roundup is grounded in certified compostability, hands‑on durability testing, and consumer feedback. Before you buy, check whether your local composting facility accepts home‑compostable bags (some facilities accept only industrially compostable materials), and match bag size to your bin to avoid over- or under‑using capacity. Choose the model that fits your bin, your pickup/composting access, and how often you want to change bags—those are the factors that will make the switch from plastic actually work in your home.