Special garbage bags for food waste: Why it's essential
Food waste represents a significant part of the waste produced by households and professionals, especially in the catering and hotel sectors. Using specific garbage bags for these wastes is not just a practical option: it is a necessity for environmental, sanitary, and management reasons. Here’s why these bags are essential and how to choose them properly.
1. Issues related to food waste
Food waste is often wet, heavy, and quickly emits unpleasant odors. If not properly managed, it can cause several problems:
- Rapid decomposition: This generates liquids (leachates) that are likely to leak.
- Proliferation of bacteria and pests: Flies, rodents, and other pests are attracted to these wastes.
- Environmental impact: When food wastes are not sorted, they end up in landfills, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.
Traditional garbage bags are not suited to these challenges, hence the importance of using specially designed bags.
2. Characteristics of specific bags for food waste
a) Waterproof
Bags for food waste are made with moisture-resistant materials, preventing leaks from decomposition fluids.
b) Strength
They are reinforced to bear the weight of food waste, which is often heavier than typical waste.
c) Compostability
Compostable bags, often used for these wastes, naturally degrade in an industrial or home composting setup, making them an ecological solution.
d) Odor control
Some models include specific treatments to limit the spread of bad smells.
e) Compliance with standards
These bags often meet environmental standards, such as EN 13432 certification, ensuring their biodegradability and compostability.
3. Why using specific bags is indispensable?
a) Promote selective sorting
Specific bags encourage clear separation of bio-wastes from other types of waste, facilitating their recycling or composting.
b) Comply with regulations
In some countries and communities, sorting of bio-wastes is mandatory. Specific bags are a requirement to comply with these regulations.
c) Reduce environmental impact
Compostable bags allow food waste to be turned into compost, thus reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills or incinerated.
d) Maintain hygiene
Watertight and resistant bags minimize leaks and sanitary risks associated with handling food waste.
e) Gain practicality
Thanks to their suitable design, they simplify the collection, transport, and processing of bio-wastes, whether in a domestic or professional setting.
4. In what contexts are specific bags indispensable?
- Restaurants: Collection of food leftovers and bio-wastes.
- Hotels: Management of organic wastes from kitchens and buffets.
- Local authorities: Selective sorting of bio-wastes in schools, canteens, or other public facilities.
- Households: Home composting or collection of bio-wastes in dedicated bins.
5. How to choose the right bag for food waste?
a) Check the materials
- Compostable bags: Ideal for bio-wastes intended for composting.
- Moisture-resistant bags: Essential for very wet wastes.
b) Choose the right volume
- For domestic use: bags from 10 to 30 L.
- For professional use: bags from 50 to 120 L.
6. Covr’s food waste bags
Covr offers a range of bags specifically designed to meet the needs of both individuals and professionals:
- Waterproof and resistant, perfect for heavy and wet bio-wastes.
- Certified compostable, contributing to efficient recycling.
- Available in various volumes, suitable for all situations, from home composters to professional kitchens.
Conclusion
Using specific garbage bags for food waste is much more than a convenience. It supports effective and environmentally friendly management while meeting sanitary and regulatory requirements.
With Covr, opt for bags tailored to your needs and contribute to a more sustainable and practical waste management. Discover our wide range of garbage bags on our site.