Are Compostable Trash Bags Misleading Consumers?

More consumers are trying to make sustainable choices, and compostable or biodegradable trash bags seem like an easy step in the right direction. Unfortunately, many of these “green” products aren’t nearly as earth-friendly as their packaging suggests. Environmental experts and consumer advocates are uncovering a pattern of misleading marketing practices that could amount to greenwashing.

That raises an important question: can consumers actually take legal action when eco-friendly claims turn out to be false or exaggerated? Increasingly, the answer looks like yes. Contact our deceptive marketing and consumer fraud lawyers to discuss a case and learn more about filing a claim. 

Greenwashing and the Compostable Trash Bag Problem

Greenwashing happens when companies exaggerate or distort the environmental benefits of their products. In this case, some trash bag manufacturers market their products as compostable, biodegradable, or plant-based—implying that they’ll naturally break down in home compost bins or landfills.

But multiple investigations show that most of these bags only decompose under specific industrial composting conditions that most consumers don’t have access to. That means many of these so-called compostable bags end up in landfills, where they remain intact for years.

Organizations like Beyond Plastics and Ethical Consumer have found that a large number of “compostable” or “biodegradable” bags fail to perform as advertised. Some even contain petrochemical-based materials like PBAT, mixed with plant-based ingredients, yet they’re still sold with green labels and nature imagery that make them look more sustainable than they are.

The result is a growing legal concern: consumers may be paying extra for products that don’t deliver the promised environmental benefits.

Legal Theories Behind Greenwashing Claims

Choosing sustainable products should make a positive difference—not leave consumers feeling misled. When companies use deceptive eco-friendly marketing to sell products that don’t live up to their claims, consumer fraud and advertising laws can step in to set things right.

If you believe you’ve been misled by claims about compostable or biodegradable bags, reach out to The Lyon Firm. Our greenwashing lawyers can evaluate your potential claim, investigate misleading marketing, and fight to make sure companies tell the truth about their products and their impact on the planet.

There are several consumer protection laws that allow people to hold companies accountable for deceptive environmental advertising.

• Consumer fraud and deceptive practices laws: Every state bans misleading marketing claims. If a company says a product is compostable or biodegradable when it’s not, that can qualify as a violation.

• Breach of warranty and misrepresentation: When labels or ads promise compostability and the product doesn’t live up to that promise, consumers can argue the company breached express or implied warranties.

Shoppers may be entitled to recover damages for:

• Paying extra for “eco-friendly” products that aren’t actually eco-friendly

• Losing the environmental benefits they were promised

• Causing contamination in composting systems with non-degradable materials

Why “Compostable” Doesn’t Always Mean What You Think

One of the biggest misconceptions is that “compostable” means the product will break down anywhere, including your backyard compost pile or local landfill. In reality, many compostable bags only decompose in industrial facilities that maintain high heat and moisture levels.

Even worse, some municipalities don’t accept compostable bags at all because they can contaminate compost streams. Regulators like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued guidance warning companies that they must clearly explain the conditions under which their products will break down. Without those disclosures, many consumers are being misled.

Can You Safely Compost Dog Waste?

Dog owners are some of the biggest buyers of compostable bags—but here’s a surprise most people don’t realize: you usually can’t compost dog waste safely. Pet waste often contains harmful bacteria and parasites that can survive in compost and spread disease.

Even if your bag says “compostable,” that doesn’t mean what’s inside should go in your compost bin. In fact, most industrial composting facilities specifically forbid pet waste because it’s considered hazardous.

There are a few specialized composting programs for pet waste, but they’re rare. For most people, using compostable dog waste bags just means those bags end up in a landfill—where they don’t actually break down as promised. To keep it simple:

• Don’t compost pet waste at home or put it in your local green bin unless your composting program specifically allows it.

• Compostable dog waste bags don’t offer much environmental benefit if they end up in the trash.

This misunderstanding is another example of how greenwashing can mislead even the most well-intentioned consumers.

Why Hire Our Greenwashing Lawyers

If you feel like you’ve been misled by eco-friendly marketing claims, our team of greenwashing and consumer protection lawyers can help. We’ve handled false advertising and environmental fraud cases involving misleading sustainability claims, and we know what it takes to hold corporations accountable. We can help you:

• Investigate whether compostable or biodegradable products you purchased were honestly labeled

• Recover the extra money you spent on deceptive “green” products

• Push for companies to correct their false or exaggerated claims

Consumers deserve honest information—and companies that profit from misleading environmental claims should be held responsible.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is greenwashing?
Greenwashing is when a company makes false or exaggerated claims about being environmentally friendly to attract consumers.

2. Are compostable trash bags actually eco-friendly?
Not always. Many of them only break down under industrial composting conditions, not in home compost piles or landfills.

3. Can I compost dog waste in a compostable bag?
No. Dog waste contains harmful pathogens and should not be composted in most home or municipal systems.

4. How can I tell if a compostable product is legitimate?
Look for certifications from reputable organizations like BPI, and make sure the product clearly states the composting conditions required.

5. What can consumers recover in a greenwashing lawsuit?
You may be able to recover financial damages for overpaying, request refunds, and push for corporate accountability and truthful labeling.