Kitchen compost liner…What else can we use other than a compostable bag?
The new city compost program only allows compostable bags that meet the ASTM D6400 requirements. But the bag (the picture above) has the number #965 instead of ASTM 6400. Does it mean I can’t use them anymore?
What could be a sustainable way to avoid messy bins?
In this article, you’ll find 7 Eco-friendly ideas for kitchen compost liner.
Check your existing compostable bags
Before we begin, check your compostable bags. Although the bag in the picture doesn’t meet the ASTM 6400 standards, there was a small print on the package (glad I didn’t chuck it!) as you can see in the picture below.
So please check a package or a product information site for clarification. That will tell you if your current liner is accepted or not. And if it isn’t, check the next 7 alternative ideas!
7 Eco-friendly ideas for kitchen compost liner
Unlike compostable bags, these materials are for preventing foods like coffee grinds to get stuck in the bin. Unfortunately, liquids will still go through the liner.
1. Newspaper
For many of us, newspapers may come to mind first. You can fold it a few times and place it at the bottom of the compost bin. Or if you like crafts, try to make an origami cup with a couple of newspapers like what you see in the video.
2. Envelopes & Paper Bags
If you have kids attending school, you may have a bunch of 10X13 envelopes. All those envelopes with information pamphlets, report cards, and class photos come in. Simply cut the top off, and place it in the bin.
To strengthen the bottom, you can place the upper portion below the envelope.
3. Packaging wrap/Tissue/ Paper Napkins
Yes, those brown paper wraps, tissues, and napkins can also be a liner. As you can imagine, even after wrapping lots of tissue and paper napkins it is still quite thin, so you may want to place a few pieces together.
4. Bio-degradable containers/Egg Cartons
Many businesses use Eco-Friendly takeout containers. And these paper plates and egg cartons are also great for using as a liner.
5. Parchment Paper
If you like baking, you may discard pieces quite regularly. Next time save it and use it as a liner in the compost bin.
6. Cardboard Box
It’s definitely the strongest and most absorbent for liquids. What you need to do is remove all the stickers/tape and cut them into fitted sizes. Since it’s quite stiff, you may have to bend/fold to make it a bit softer to insert.
Additionally, choose a brown (plain) cardboard box without any pictures/colours on it.
7. Leaves for a kitchen compost liner
If you are a gardener, you may have big leaves like what you see in the picture above (for materials). When you garden, bring some in and use them as kitchen compost liners. This is probably the most Eco-friendly liner!
Story of the 7 kitchen compost liners
When I thought I couldn’t use the bags I had, I felt rather frustrated. There are almost 200 bags I have, and now I have to come up with alternative ideas.
So that’s how I started experimenting with different materials. For this, I kept asking what materials easily get composted? As a result, most of the ideas are based on paper. So the paper was the key!!
Try these Eco-friendly liners for sustainable living, and let me know which one you like the most! And if you know other materials, please share them with us to improve our environment!