1. Packaging bag material: Degradable
Degradable bags are made from plastic with other chemicals added that cause the plastic to break down and disintegrate over time when exposed to sunlight and heat. If degradable bags are released into the environment they will break down into hundreds of tiny pieces of plastic.
Therefore, degradable bags should only be used for and placed into general waste bin.
2. Packaging bag material: Biodegradable
Like degradable bags, biodegradable are often still plastic bags that have microorganisms added to break down the plastic.
Therefore, Biodegradable bags should only be used for and placed into your general waste bin.
3. Packaging bag material: Compostable
Compostable bags are made of natural plant starch, and do not produce any toxic material. Compostable bags break down readily in a composting system through microbial activity to form compost. In order to be classified as compostable they must meet the Australian Standard for compostability AS4736 and will have this symbol.
Compostable bags can be used to line your kitchen caddy for collection of food scraps and then placed into the green lidded food and garden organics bin.
Don’t waste them in your general waste bin as they will not compost well in a landfill environment.
