York Region is encouraging residents to make the switch from plastic bags to compostable bags as liners in the Green Bin to create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly program.

Unlike plastic bags which must be removed at the end of the composting process and disposed of, compostable liners are made from cornstarch or plant-based material that breaks down completely during the composting process.

Certified compostable bags or paper-based bags break down completely during the composting process. Certified compostable bags will display a Compostable BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) logo on the packaging. (Please see logo to your left)

Paper-based bags do not require the BPI logo, but they are still compostable.

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Other brands are also marketed as biodegradable rather than compostable. Biodegradable bags break down into smaller pieces of plastic. These smaller pieces will not decompose and will become a contaminant in the finished compost. 

Please be sure to look for this BPI logo on the packaging.

 

Below is a list of some of the certified compostable brands carried at retailers within York Region. Please note that all boxes show the certified compostable logo, but it may appear on different areas of the box.

BAG-TO-NATURE	GLAD	NO NAME	SHOPPERS DRUG MART BIO-LIFE BAGS
BIOSAK	WALMART GREAT VALUE BAGS	RONA ECO BAGS	BAG-TO-EARTH PAPER BAGS (No BPI Logo required for paper bags)
BIOBAG	HUSKY	NATURA BIN LINERS	AL-PACK

Compostable bags are available at many grocery and hardware stores throughout York Region.
Below is a list of some of the retailers who carry compostable bags:

 

Grocery Stores: - Concord Food Centre - Food Basics - Fortinos - Highland Farms - Loblaws - Longos - Metro - Oak Ridges Market - Price Chopper - The Real Canadian Superstore	Hardware Stores: - Canadian Tire - Home Depot - Home Hardware - Lowes - Rona
	Other: - Costco - Shoppers Drug Mart - Walmart - Zellers - Pharmasave - Michael Angelo's - Nature's Emporium

No, the use of compostable bags is currently voluntary. However, a mandatory shift to certified compostable bags in the Green Bin program will take place May 1, 2011.

 

In 2010, York Region will continue to educate and encourage residents to permanently make the switch from plastic to certified compostable bag liners in their Green Bins.  During this year-long voluntary phase, plastic bags will still be accepted in York Region Green Bins. 

 

Transition to the mandatory use of certified compostable bags is anticipated to begin in January 2011, with enforcement beginning May 1, 2011.

 

Residents are encouraged to start using compostable bags now. In August 2009, residents with curbside Green Bin collection received educational materials promoting the benefits of certified compostable bags for the Green Bin, as well as compostable bag samples to try at home.