Some things never change, like the crisp cool air of autumn when the leaves in our backyards light up in fiery colors and waft to the ground. Even the raking up of leaves can, for some of us, feel like an annual meditation on the seasons of our lives. But some things do change, and you’ll notice that at leaf-falling time. Many communities don’t let gardeners use the familiar polyethylene plastic bags anymore to pack up dead leaves for city composting. Paper bags can be problematic, but now you have another option. It may be time to try BioBags.
Polyethylene bags do have lots of advantages for setting out yard detritus for city collection. They are plastic and could sit big-bottomed on the soil without tipping over and spilling collected leaves. They are also light and waterproof. But these plastic bags have been found to be bad for Mother Nature. They are made of petroleum products, which are nonrenewable resources and don’t break down in landfills or any other setting, and their production adds to global warming. That’s why many places outlaw them.
The initial go-to alternative to plastic bags has been paper bags. Although these do not have the issues that plastic bags do, they just aren’t that practical for yard trash. They get wet and break, and they can also tip over as you fill them. Now there is an equally safe but much more practical alternative: BioBag® Lawn & Leaf Bags. Gardeners love these bags, made in the U.S. from renewable crop-based resin, and it’s easy to understand their popularity.
First, BioBags give, meaning that you can squeeze in more of those leaves than it looks like initially. It also means that the bags will be anchored in place when you fill the bottom section with detritus. These are lawn and leaf bags for modern times with a large 33-gallon capacity. Best of all, BioBags decompose quickly and easily in composting environments. Don’t worry about them biodegrading at curbside, however. They are durable and built for typical usage, but once they are tossed into a composting area with other organic waste, they decompose within 90 days. How can you be sure of this? BioBags are certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute, and meet the US Standard ASTM D6400 and the European Standard EN 13432.
And for those who aren’t in areas that offer curbside pickup, that’s okay too. You can actually use these bags to compost your fall leaves for use later in the garden as leaf mold. How cool is that? Just fill your bag(s) with leaves as you clean up, no need for any extras, although some people add in some green material too, such as grass clippings, but your typical leaf mold won’t require this addition. Once filled, water it down and secure the top. Poke holes throughout the bag to allow for ventilation, drainage and earthworms. Normally, leaf mold should be ready in about 6-12 months, depending on your region’s climate. Note: for faster decomp, you can shred the leaves with a lawnmower prior to bagging.
