Compostable Trash Bags for Australian Councils
Table of Contents
Australian councils require compostable trash bags that work reliably in FOGO and organics collection systems.
Retail compostable bags and general “biodegradable” liners are often not accepted in council programs.
This page explains how compostable trash bags are supplied for Australian councils, what standards are required, and how councils and contractors assess compliance for organics collection.
Council Requirements for Compostable Trash Bags in Australia
Australian councils manage large-scale food and garden organics programs.
To protect compost quality and reduce contamination, councils set clear requirements for bin liners used in these systems.
In most council programs, compostable trash bags must:
Be suitable for industrial composting
Perform well with wet food waste
Align with council and composting facility rules
Avoid misleading material claims
Internal link (standards context):
Councils typically rely on [AS 4736 compostable certification for Australia] to assess acceptance in organics systems.
AS 4736 Certification and Council Acceptance
AS 4736 is the Australian standard for industrial compostable plastics.
For councils, AS 4736 certification matters because it confirms that compostable bags:
Break down in commercial composting facilities
Do not leave harmful residues in finished compost
Are suitable for controlled organics processing systems
Council programs focus on certification logos and standards, not material descriptions.
This approach is explained in detail in Why certification logos matter more than material claims.
Typical Applications in Council Waste Programs
Compostable trash bags are used in several council-managed environments:
Kitchen caddy liners for indoor food waste collection
Household organics bins used in FOGO programs
Council facilities such as community buildings and public sites
Each application places different demands on bag strength, size, and sealing performance.
Common Sizes Used by Australian Councils
Councils usually specify liner sizes based on bin type and collection method.
This page provides general guidance only—final specifications are defined by each council or contractor.
Common council-use sizes include:
- 20L liners – indoor kitchen caddies
- 30L liners – household organics bins
- 60L and larger liners – council facilities and shared bins
Product pages:
- For small caddy use, see 20L compostable bin liners for Australia
- For standard household organics bins, see 30L compostable bin liners for Australia
- For larger council and facility use, see 60L compostable bin liners for Australia
Bulk Supply and Tender Considerations
Council programs do not purchase compostable bags in the same way as retail buyers.
Key considerations for councils and contractors include:
- Consistent bulk manufacturing
- Stable thickness and sealing performance
- Packaging formats suitable for council distribution
- Documentation for tenders and approvals
- Reliable delivery schedules over long programs
For this reason, councils typically work with approved suppliers rather than retail products.
Common Mistakes Councils and Suppliers Should Avoid
Many issues in organics programs are caused by incorrect liner selection.
Common mistakes include:
- Using bags labeled only as “biodegradable”
- Mixing home-compostable and industrial-compostable liners
- Relying on material claims instead of certification
- Allowing non-approved retail liners into council systems
These mistakes can lead to contamination, rejected loads, and higher processing costs.
These problems are outlined in Private label compostable bags: common importer mistakes.
Who This Page Is For (and Who It Is Not)
This page is intended for:
- Australian local councils
- Waste management contractors
- Council-approved suppliers and tender partners
This page is not intended for:
- Retail consumers
- Home compost hobby use
- General household shopping decisions
Council programs operate under different requirements than retail markets.
Key Takeaways for Australian Councils
- Compostable trash bags used in council programs must align with AS 4736
- Retail and “biodegradable” bags are often not suitable for FOGO systems
- Certification, performance, and supply stability matter more than material claims
- Final acceptance always depends on local council and composting facility rules
Council Supply Enquiries
If you are involved in an Australian council or contractor organics program, compostable trash bags should be reviewed for certification, performance, and supply consistency before approval.
