The annoying thing about repetition is that it can make even the most sensible advice seem trite.
Such is the sad fate of the environmentalist creed: "Take only photographs; leave only footprints."
It's pretty much impossible to live by that saying, but it's a good aspiration. It's certainly much better than the current human reality of take lots of natural resources, leave 500 billion plastic bags lying around (according to AlterNet).
That's why 1GreenProduct.com will try to identify and share alternatives to traditional bags that may take centuries to decompose.
A few weeks ago, we brought you a review of biodegradable, compostable BioBags.
Today we present Perf Go Green biodegradable plastic bags.
Available in 13-gallon and 30-gallon sizes (as well as drop cloth, kitty litter and doggie duty versions), Perf Go Green claims several shades of greenness:
- First, the bags themselves are apparently made from recycled plastic. That's great since every product that incorporates recycled plastic helps keep plastics out of landfills and creates a market that encourages more recycling.
- Second, Perf Go Green claims that its bags totally biodegrade within 2 years in a landfill environment. Apparently when the bags are exposed to oxygen, moisture and microrganisms, they decompose into simple natural materials. (The bags were apparently tested according to this standard.)
- Third, the Perf Go Green bags supposedly leave zero toxins behind after they biodegrade. A Perf Go Green representative says the bags break down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass.
FYI, Perf Go Green bags come in a box made of 100% recycled paperboard. The box works like a tissue dispenser. The adhesive strip on the bottom of the box secures the dispenser to the inside of your trash can. I suppose that could save some valuable kitchen shelf space...
We weren't able to sit in a landfill for two years and wait to see if the bags really decompose. But we can vouch first-hand for the strength of Perf Go Green. We used a highly unscientific 'pull test' and discovered that these bags seem capable of hauling some serious trash. Hopefully they'll be just as good at having a breakdown a couple years later.
Where to buy:
Both the 13-gallon (MSRP $4.80) and 30-gallon ($7.35 MSRP) Perf Go Green bags contain a dozen bags per box. Buy them online at Amazon.com or Drugstore.com.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Kitchen / Outdoor - Perf Go Green Recycled Plastic Bags
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3 comments:
Look up new california law AB 1972. these bags are a 20 year old technology and not certified as either biodegradeable or compostable..
Thank you for reading and commenting.
As I am not a scientist, I can merely provide a layman's perspective of how the bags work in practice plus an analysis of the manufacturer's claims.
It would be helpful if you could elaborate on your own claims that the bags represent "20 year old technology and [are] not certified as either biodegradable or compostable".
I did look up the law you mentioned. Here is the link for other readers - http://www.cawrecycles.org/issues/current_legislation/ab1972_08).
As far as I can tell (http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/asm/ab_1951-2000/ab_1972_bill_20080710_status.html) it seems that the bill is not yet a law, fyi, but rather still in the legislature.
I will ask the company to comment on your claims regarding the old technology and non certification, but as I said it would be helpful if you could elaborate!
While I believe there were certainly bags that were advertised in the past as biodegradable, but in fact did not degrade in a landfill environment, I believe Perf Go Green works a bit differently.
Stay tuned...
Between using these and energy efficient appliances our family is on the right track to becoming a go green home.
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