That's an excellent question, and one I get asked a lot as more people look to reduce their plastic waste. The good news is, yes, there are absolutely compostable liner bags designed to fit standard urban trash cans! For years, this was a real challenge, but the market has expanded significantly.
Most standard kitchen or urban trash cans are in the 8- to 13-gallon capacity range. You'll now find numerous brands offering compostable bags in these exact sizes. When shopping, look for bags specifically labeled with their gallon capacity to ensure a good fit. A bag that's too small will be ineffective, and one that's too large is wasteful.
It's crucial to understand what "compostable" means in this context. True compostable bags are typically made from plant-based materials like cornstarch (PLA) or a polymer called PBAT. They are designed to break down into non-toxic organic matter in a commercial composting facility. Be wary of bags that only say "biodegradable" or "degradable," as these can leave behind microplastics and may not be suitable for composting.
When you find a bag, check for official certifications like BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) or TUV Austria's "OK compost" logo. This is your best guarantee that the bag will compost correctly. Remember, these liners are perfect for collecting food scraps and yard waste, but they do require industrial composting conditions to break down efficiently. Simply throwing them in a backyard pile may not yield good results.
So, you can confidently make the switch. Just be a savvy shopper—check the size, look for certifications, and ensure you have access to the appropriate composting stream. It's a simple change that makes a big difference for our planet.