Single use plastic gives us the absolute willies — and plastic trash bags are some of the most common offenders. They pile up in landfills, wreak havoc with wildlife and leave us with a little queasy feeling in our stomachs every time we chuck one in the bin.
Thankfully, there’s a light at the end of this waste-filled tunnel: environmentally friendly garbage bags. Let’s explore how these planet preferred options can help you say goodbye to plastic trash bag guilt for good.
The problems with plastic
With over 460 million metric tonnes of plastic produced every year, single-use plastics are an environmental nightmare.
It haunts our oceans, chokes our landfills and is even creeping into our food and water supply. The result? A horror show for our climate, health and ecosystems. Scary stuff, right?
It’s a grim picture, but there's hope: recycled plastic and other eco-friendlier alternatives are constantly evolving, offering smarter, more environmentally sound solutions to help us turn the tide.
The challenges of environmentally friendly trash bag products
Choosing to be more sustainable with your trash bag selection is a great first step, but even environmentally friendly garbage bags aren’t without their challenges.
Potential bummers include: landfill stagnation (even biodegradable options), microplastic pollution, potential toxicity, and the potential jump scare of the higher price point.
The silver lining? Bags made with post-consumer recycled content have a significantly lower environmental impact, creating fewer greenhouse gases. And while the price tag might seem higher at first glance, better plastic habits often mean using fewer bags in the long run — a win for the wallet and the environment.
Making informed choices about plastic trash bags
Plastic is everywhere — dodging it in daily life can feel impossible. But learning about plastic alternatives gives you the power to make smarter, more sustainable choices.
One easy way to start? Skip garbage bags made from virgin plastic. These bags contribute to skyrocketing greenhouse emissions and do plenty of harm to the planet.
Instead, consider plastic trash bags made of 100% recycled materials. Plastic trash bags made in this style use post-consumer recycled material, meaning you’re helping to reduce the amount of new plastic waste being introduced into the world. This lessens the environmental impact by turning waste into something useful, giving Mama Earth a bit more breathing room.
For the eco-enthusiasts out there looking to go the extra mile, reusable plastic garbage bags are also an option. They’re durable, washable and save you money in the long run — but they also require a bit of extra engagement with the horrors in your trash bin.
For the eco-enthusiasts out there ready to take things up a notch, reusable plastic rubbish bags offer a solid eco-friendly upgrade. Durable, washable and cost-effective, they help reduce waste — though they do come with the added adventure of getting up close and personal with the ghosts in your trash bin.
Reducing your trash bag footprint
When it comes to plastic trash bags, choosing the environmentally friendly approach starts long before your waste reaches the bin. The secret? Focus on reducing the overall waste you produce, shrinking your rubbish bag footprint in the process.
Achieving a smaller carbon footprint with trash bags is possible — it starts in the kitchen. Composting food and kitchen scraps is a simple yet powerful way to keep garbage bags lighter and reduce the amount of waste that heads to landfills.
Reusable containers and shopping bags are another easy swap. By ditching single-use plastic bags and avoiding further volume in a trash bag, you’re taking a big step toward minimizing waste.
Lastly: sort and recycle like a pro. Sending recyclables to the right bin or center means fewer items in your trash bags and a significant reduction in waste sent to landfills.
Our approach to trash bags and other eco-friendly products
From donating 50% of all profits to clean water and sanitation projects to creating new products to make your everyday life more eco-friendly, we’re here to turn good intentions into great outcomes. We’re proudly B Corp™ Certified for Environmental Impact — meaning we’re committed to transparency, accountability and delivering products that help protect the planet.
Our latest innovation? Trash bags that are made from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic. PCR gives discarded materials a new lease on life, proving that trash really can become treasure. These sturdy, sustainable bags are one more way we’re helping you (and the planet) clean up beautifully.
Conclusion: Go eco-friendly with trash bags from Who Gives A Crap
Traditional plastic trash bags take a terrible toll on the planet. Like other plastics, they stick around for several lifetimes — taking years and years to break down, affecting water sources, food supply chains and ecosystems.
Even with plastic, pursuing more sustainable and environmentally friendly options is possible. Sure, these rubbish bags come with their challenges — like a slightly higher price tag and the fact that they still wind up in landfills. But those impacts become much smaller when you rely on food scrap and reusable bags to limit trash.
And when it’s time to bag up the bin, try to choose plastic environmentally friendly garbage bags, like ones made from 100% post-consumer recycled content. This cuts down on the creation of plastic trash bags from scratch, cuts down on waste and limits the impact on landfills.
Fortunately, reducing your trash bag footprint has never been easier. By stocking up on Who Gives A Crap essentials, you’re not just handling your waste more responsibly — you’re helping us build a cleaner, more sustainable world.