That's a great question, and one I hear more often as people try to make greener choices in the city. The short answer is yes, but with some important considerations.
First, it's crucial to distinguish between standard public street bins and bins for personal or community use. Most public municipal bins are designed for general waste and are not optimized for compostable bags, as the collection system often mixes everything together. For these, using any bag is usually about containment, not composting.
However, for your own use—like in a kitchen caddy or a bin in an apartment building with organics collection—compatibility is key. Many modern countertop and under-sink compost bins are explicitly designed to fit standard-sized compostable bags. The trick is to check the bin's dimensions and the bag's gallon size (like 3-gallon or 8-gallon bags). A good fit prevents tearing and makes handling much easier.
The material of the bag matters too. Certified compostable bags (look for labels like BPI or OK Compost HOME) are designed to break down in industrial facilities. They work best in bins dedicated solely to food scraps and yard waste, keeping the bin cleaner.
My advice? If your city offers "green bin" organics collection, contact them directly. They often recommend or even provide specific bags that are guaranteed to work with their processing system. For private composting, choose a bin marketed for compost collection and pair it with appropriately certified bags. It’s a simple switch that makes sustainable living a lot more practical.