Can compostable bin bags be composted in Subpod? Any brands you can suggest that would be fine to throw straight into the Subpod and mix up?

We have been experimenting with different bin bag liners and at the moment we are finding they are taking a while to break down, probably due to the Subpod composting system being more of a cold composting/worm system rather than a hot composting system.  While looking up the specifications of home composting and how long it takes, 12 weeks to break down is acceptable for home composting bioplastic.  We're just used to things breaking down super quick in Subpod!   

Compost-a-pak breaks down over about 3 months in Subpod.  Time-frames will probably vary, and depend on the strength of your Subpod - i.e., lots of worms and microbes to break everything down quickly and efficiently :)  I would also suggest tearing open the bag if it’s not already open, to allow oxygen, microbes and worms to get to work. 

For any brand of compostable bag, look for the icon that shows “Home Compostable” which will not require an industrial process (usually high heat) to compost.  Check www.papackagingsolutions.com.au for more information about the certified home compostable process and images of the icon and examples of bags that are certified home compostable.

Make sure the compost bag says - home compostable.  And also, NOT hot or industrial compostable.  An important thing to note is that if it’s not certified, it probably hasn’t been tested and may not break down in your Subpod.

This is the certifying body in Australia: https://www.bioplastics.org.au/composting/home-composting/

Registered members:
https://www.bioplastics.org.au/certification/who-is-certified-in-aus-nz/

For more info on bioplastic and compostability check this out:
https://www.bioplastics.org.au/bioplastics/bioplastics-explained/
This is the standard to look for: Australian Standard AS 5810-2010 (biodegradable plastics suitable for home composting).

• Related Articles

• Can 3D Printed PLA be composted in the Subpod?

  PLA, also known as polylactic acid or polylactide, is a thermoplastic made from renewable resources such as corn starch, tapioca roots or sugar cane, unlike other industrial materials made primarily from petroleum. Check with your source of PLA ...

• Can I compost tea bags in Subpod?

  Tea bags can be composted, but there are some things that you may like to take into consideration. the tea bag string can get caught in the aerator when you twist the aerator - not a problem, just a bit messy the label may not be compostable the ...

• What can be composted in Subpod?

  You can compost a lot more things in Subpod than compared to an ordinary worm farm. You can compost food scraps, including citrus, onions, and after 4 months of active use even small quantities of meat, fish, dairy, and spicy foods.  Carbon items ...

• Can I compost commercially compostable food packaging? (they say to be only compostable in commercial composting systems)

  Most compostable food packaging says - compostable in commercial composting systems.  These are different from normal household compost systems and Subpod systems. The compostable food packaging that is only compostable in commercial composting ...

• Can cat/kitty litter be composted? https://www.petbarn.com.au/trouble-trix-crystal-cat-litter this is what I currently use.

  This cat/kitty litter can be composted just fine.  Mix well with other organic waste and dry carbon-rich material for best results.  This will work for both the clay and silica type kitty litters.    We recommend for safety that compost generated ...