Last updated: October 9, 2026
Quick answer: For a 13-gallon kitchen can, UNNI’s 13-gallon bags are our first pick: they had the most ratings of the tall bags we checked and list both BPI and OK compost HOME certification. For a countertop food-scrap bin, the UNNI 3-gallon and BioBag 3-gallon bags had the two highest rating counts among the small bags we checked.
Before you buy, check what your compost route accepts. A bag certified only for commercial composting needs a facility or curbside program that takes it.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
How we picked: We compared each listing’s size, thickness, count, named certifications, care notes, number of ratings and price tier, and we checked Amazon US availability for delivery to New York 10001 on October 9, 2026. We did not test these bags. Certifications are as stated on each listing, and where a listing is vague or contradicts itself, we say so.
Best Compostable Trash Bags at a Glance
| Pick | Size | Certifications (as listed) | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNNI 13 Gallon | 13 gal, 0.9 mil, 50 | BPI, CMA, OK compost HOME | Mid |
| SUPERBIO 13 Gallon | 13 gal, 0.87 mil, 30 | BPI (commercial), OK compost HOME | Higher |
| FORID 13 Gallon | 13 gal, 80 | “Complies with” ASTM D6400, EN 13432 | Budget |
| Kompostables 13 Gallon | 13 gal, handles, 35 | “BPI Certified” (maker) | Higher |
| UNNI 3 Gallon | 3 gal, 0.71 mil, 100 | BPI, CMA, OK compost HOME | Budget |
| BioBag 3 Gallon | 3 gal, 100 | BPI, ASTM D6400 | Mid |
| SUPERBIO 1.6 Gallon | 1.6 gal, 0.63 mil, 50 | BPI (commercial), OK compost HOME | Mid |
| HYTREND Paper Bags | Small, 120 | BNQ, BPI | Higher |
Price tiers compare the cost per bag at our check, with tall bags compared against tall bags and small bags against small bags. Counts differ from 30 to 120 bags, so check the current price on each listing.
Compostable vs Biodegradable: Read the Label First
“Compostable” and “biodegradable” are not the same claim. The FTC Green Guides on compostable claims say a compostable claim needs reliable scientific evidence that all the materials become usable compost safely and in a timely manner, in an appropriate facility or a home compost pile. The claim should be qualified if the item can’t be composted at home, if it misleads buyers about the benefit in a landfill, or if suitable facilities aren’t available to a substantial majority of consumers or communities where it is sold.
The FTC Green Guides on degradable claims are stricter on “degradable” and “biodegradable”: they say unqualified claims for items that usually go to landfills, incinerators or recycling are deceptive, because those places do not let the item fully break down within a year. In short, a compostable bag in a landfill bin is still landfill trash.
What the certifications on these listings mean
- BPI. According to BPI, it offers two certifications: Commercial Only (breaks down in commercial compost facilities) and Commercial & Home (also in properly managed home compost bins). BPI uses ASTM D6400 as the base standard for its commercial compostability program.
- OK compost HOME (TÜV AUSTRIA) is a home-composting certification. SUPERBIO’s 13- and 1.6-gallon listings pair it with a BPI “Commercially Compostable Only” certificate.
- EN 13432 is the European standard for packaging recoverable through composting. SUPERBIO names it alongside its certificates, while FORID says only that its material complies with it.
- “Complies with” or “meets” a standard, without a named certifier, is weaker than a named certification. Where a listing only says this, we flag it.
Our suggestion: match the bag to where it ends up. If you compost at home, look for a home certification. If a curbside program collects your scraps, check its accepted-bag list first, because some programs do not take bags at all.
Storage and Use Guidance From the Listings
Compostable bags are made to break down, so several makers give storage and use limits on their own listings:
- Use window. UNNI recommends using its bags within 9 months for best performance; SUPERBIO and BioBag give about one year. FORID and Kompostables give no time frame on their listings. Buy the count you will use in that time.
- Empty within about 3 days. SUPERBIO and Kompostables both say to empty bags holding food waste within 3 days, and SUPERBIO adds “especially” for acidic or alkaline waste.
- Storage. UNNI, SUPERBIO and BioBag specify a cool, dry place; Kompostables says a clean, dry place and suggests draining excess liquid from waste first.
The 8 Best Compostable Trash Bags for 2026
1. UNNI Compostable Bags, 13 Gallon, 50 Count, 0.9 Mil
- Perfect Fit for Tall Kitchen Cans — 13 gallon / 49.2 liter (23.75 in x 31.49 in, 0.9 mil); 50 bags per roll. Designed fo…
- Reinforced 0.9 Mil — Handles daily kitchen peels and scraps, helping keep tall bins tidy.
- Certified Compostable — Independently certified by BPI (U.S., to ASTM D6400), CMA (field-tested in operating facilities)…
Why we picked it: It had 7,502 ratings and a 4.4-star average at our check, the most of the tall kitchen bags we checked. UNNI lists 13 gallons (49.2 liters), 23.75 x 31.49 inches, 0.9 mil and 50 bags per roll, and names three certifications: BPI (to ASTM D6400), CMA and OK compost HOME by TÜV AUSTRIA.
Best for: a standard tall kitchen can, if your collection program accepts the bag or you compost at home, which its home certification covers. Who this is NOT for: large households that want fewer reorders; 50 bags is a smaller roll than FORID’s 80.
Limitation: UNNI recommends using the bags within 9 months for best performance, the shortest stated use window among these picks. Our suggestion: buy a quantity you expect to use within that time.
2. SUPERBIO 13 Gallon Compostable Kitchen Bags with Handles
- Product Information: SUPERBIO Compostable Kitchen Waste Bags, 13 gallon (49.2L) 22.8 in x 36.6 in x 0.87 mil, 30 bags pe…
- Certifications: SUPERBIO bags has been awarded official certificates from Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) (Commer…
- Storage & Usage: Keep product away from heat and store in a cool, dry place, SUPERBIO bags have a shelf life of approx. …
Why we picked it: It had 2,431 ratings and a 4.7-star average. SUPERBIO lists 13 gallons, 22.8 x 36.6 inches, 0.87 mil, handle ties and a star-sealed bottom, with BPI (Commercially Compostable Only) and OK compost HOME certificates.
At 36.6 inches, it is the longest of the 13-gallon bags here, which may leave more bag to fold over the rim of a deeper can.
Best for: anyone who prefers tie handles over a flat top. Who this is NOT for: buyers watching the cost per bag; at 30 bags a roll, it was the higher tier of the tall bags at our check.
Limitation: SUPERBIO itself says the bag “may not be suitable for home composting depending on your composting method”, even with its listed OK compost HOME certificate.
3. FORID Compostable Trash Bags, 13 Gallon, 80 Count
- Perfect Sized Trash Bags – The size of 13 Gallon trash bags is (L*W)24.8 * 31.4 inch.Fit round garbage bins with diamete…
- Strong & Durbale Garbage Bags – Each trash can liners is sealed with an octagonal bottomd to withstand at least 83LB (38…
- Certified Material – The material of the medium trash bags complies with the standard ASTM D6400 and the European standa…
Why we picked it: It had 6,949 ratings and a 4.5-star average, and it had the lowest cost per bag of the 13-gallon picks at our check, with the largest count (80 bags). FORID lists 24.8 x 31.4 inches, an octagonal sealed bottom rated to at least 83 lb, and a translucent green color.
Best for: households that go through a lot of tall bags. Who this is NOT for: anyone whose program requires a named certification logo. The listing says the material “complies with” ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 but does not name a certifier such as BPI.
Limitation: FORID also says the bags can be home composted, but it does not name a home certification. Check your program’s rules before relying on it.
4. Kompostables Home Compostable Kitchen Bags, 13 Gallon
Why we picked it: It had 163 ratings and a 4.8-star average. The maker says it is BPI certified and home compostable, made from PBAT and PLA, with easy-tie handles, and that the bags resist heat from warm food.
Best for: buyers who want handles and the highest thickness figure among our picks that state one; the maker also claims puncture and heat resistance, which we did not test. Who this is NOT for: budget buyers; at 35 bags a box, it was in the higher per-bag tier at our check.
Limitation: the listing contradicts itself on thickness: the title says 1.2 mil, while a bullet says 1.5 mil. We could not resolve the discrepancy. The listed size of 15.5 x 29 inches is also smaller than the other 13-gallon listings here, so measure your can.
Pro Tip: Our suggestion: measure your can before you choose a bag. A 13-gallon label is a capacity, not a fit guarantee, and the listed dimensions here differ a lot. Compare each listing’s dimensions with your can.
5. UNNI 3 Gallon Compost Bags, 100 Count, 0.71 Mil
- Perfect Fit for Small Kitchen Bins — 3 gallon / 11.35 liter (16.9 in x 17.7 in, 0.71 mil); 100 bags per roll. Designed f…
- Everyday Strength — 0.71 mil liners handle daily kitchen scraps and peels, helping keep bins clean and tidy.
- Certified Compostable — Independently certified by BPI (U.S., to ASTM D6400), CMA (field-tested in operating facilities)…
Why we picked it: It had 5,868 ratings and a 4.6-star average, the most of the small food-scrap bags we checked. UNNI lists 3 gallons (11.35 liters), 16.9 x 17.7 inches, 0.71 mil and 100 bags per roll, with the same BPI, CMA and OK compost HOME certifications as its 13-gallon bag.
Best for: a countertop compost caddy that you empty every few days. Who this is NOT for: anyone with a 1 to 2 gallon caddy; the bag may be too big, so see SUPERBIO’s 1.6-gallon pick.
Limitation: the same 9-month use window applies, and 100 bags may outlast that in a small household.
6. BioBag 3 Gallon Compostable Food Scrap Bags, 100 Count
- Certified Compostable bags for community and home composting. BPI Certified. Meets ASTM D6400
- Perfect for collecting food waste, paper and other small compostable waste
- Made from plants, vegetable oils and compostable polymers
Why we picked it: It had 3,930 ratings and a 4.6-star average. BioBag says the bags are BPI certified, meet ASTM D6400, are made in the USA from plants, vegetable oils and compostable polymers, and are for community and home composting. The 100 bags come as 4 rolls of 25.
Best for: a countertop bin, if you prefer four smaller rolls of 25 bags. Who this is NOT for: anyone who wants a stated thickness; the listing does not give one.
Limitation: BioBag mentions home composting, but the listing names only BPI and ASTM D6400 and does not say whether it holds BPI’s home certification, so check the box or BioBag’s site if that matters to you.
7. SUPERBIO 1.6 Gallon Compostable Food Scrap Bags
- Product Information: SUPERBIO Compostable Food Scrap Bags ,1.6 gallon (6L) 16.1 in x 19.3 in x 0.63 mil, 50 bags per rol…
- Certifications: SUPERBIO bags have been awarded official certificates from Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) (Comme…
- Storage & Usage: Keep product away from heat and store in a cool, dry place, SUPERBIO bags have a shelf life of approx. …
Why we picked it: It had 3,750 ratings and a 4.7-star average. SUPERBIO lists 1.6 gallons (6 liters), 16.1 x 19.3 inches, 0.63 mil, handle ties and 50 bags per roll, with BPI (Commercially Compostable Only) and OK compost HOME certificates.
Best for: small countertop caddies that fit a 6-liter bag. Who this is NOT for: anyone who fills a 3-gallon bin; this size will be too small.
Limitation: at 0.63 mil, it has the lowest stated thickness among the film bags that list one, so follow SUPERBIO’s 3-day rule for wet scraps.
8. HYTREND Compostable Paper Food Waste Bags, 120 Count
- 100% Compostable. Certified by BNQ and BPI
- Extra-sturdy, serving as a counter-top container.
- Leak-resistant, no more mess, no more need to clean kitchen container or green bin.
Why we picked it: It is the only paper bag among our picks. HYTREND lists 120 bags, BNQ and BPI certification, a leak-resistant design and a fold-over top, and says it is sturdy enough to stand as a countertop container. It had 429 ratings and a 4.7-star average.
Best for: curbside programs that prefer or require paper bags, and anyone who wants to avoid plastic-like film. Who this is NOT for: anyone who needs a leakproof liner; the listing calls it leak-resistant and gives no holding time for wet waste.
Limitation: the listing does not give a size in gallons, only “small”, and it was the higher per-bag tier of the small picks. Confirm the dimensions before buying.
How to Use Compostable Bags Without Problems
Our suggestions focus on checking your compost route and following each maker’s use guidance:
- Check your program first. Ask your curbside or drop-off program which bags, if any, it accepts.
- Home pile? Pick a bag with a named home certification and follow its instructions. The EPA home composting guide covers what home composting needs (browns, greens, water and air).
- Recycling. Follow your local recycling program’s rules; none of these listings says the bags can go in recycling.
For more ways to cut kitchen waste, see our guide to reducing single-use plastic at home.
Notes for UK and EU Readers
The product links on this page go to Amazon US, and we did not verify delivery outside the US. Our suggestion for UK and EU readers: check your local food-waste collection rules and the exact certification on the liner, including whether it covers home or industrial composting. We cover European bin bags in our biodegradable bin bags guide.
Deal Tip: If you shop around Black Friday, compare the cost per bag rather than the discount, and choose a quantity you expect to use within the maker’s recommended use window.
Related Guides
- Best compostable food bags
- Zero-waste kitchen starter kit
- How to make your home more eco-friendly
- Best glass food storage containers
Frequently Asked Questions
Are compostable trash bags really compostable?
They can be, if they reach the conditions they are certified for. BPI’s Commercial Only certification means the bag breaks down in commercial compost facilities, while its Commercial & Home certification also covers properly managed home compost bins. In a landfill, a compostable bag will not become compost.
What is the difference between compostable and biodegradable bags?
“Compostable” means the material should turn into usable compost in a suitable facility or home pile. The FTC Green Guides say unqualified “degradable” or “biodegradable” claims are deceptive for items that usually go to landfills, incinerators or recycling, because they do not fully break down there within a year.
Can I put compostable bags in my home compost?
Our recommendation is to choose a bag with a named home-composting certification, such as OK compost HOME or BPI’s Commercial & Home certification, and follow its instructions. SUPERBIO’s listing warns that suitability still depends on your composting method.
How long do compostable trash bags last before use?
It depends on the maker. UNNI recommends using its bags within 9 months for best performance, while SUPERBIO and BioBag give about one year. Store them cool and dry.
Why do compostable bags tear or leak?
They are designed to break down. SUPERBIO says to dispose of bags holding organic waste within 3 days, and Kompostables recommends draining excess liquid and emptying the bin within 3 days to prevent the bag decomposing.
What size compostable bag do I need?
Use 13-gallon bags for a tall kitchen can and 1.6 to 3 gallon bags for a countertop caddy. Measure your can, because bags with the same gallon rating vary in width.
The Bottom Line
For a tall kitchen can, start with UNNI’s 13-gallon bags: they had the most ratings of the tall bags we checked and list both commercial and home certification. For a countertop caddy, UNNI 3-gallon and BioBag 3-gallon had the most ratings of the small picks, and HYTREND covers programs that want paper. Whatever you buy, check what your compost route accepts first.
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