Compostable & Biodegradable Refuse Bags Market by Capacity (7-20 Gallons, 20-30 Gallons, 30-40 Gallons, 40-55 Gallons and Above 55 Gallons.), Product Type (Biodegradable and Compostable), Material Type (PLA, PBS, PBAT, PHA, Starch Blends, Cellophane and Paper), Thickness, End Use & Region for 2022 and 2028

Compostable & Biodegradable Refuse Bags Market Overview

[226 pages Report] The compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market is valued at US$ 295 Mn in 2022. The market is anticipated to show a modest CAGR of 8% during 2022-2028 to reach US$ 467 Mn at the end of the forecast period.

The worldwide compostable & biodegradable trash bags market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% through 2028 in the industrial end-use segment.

Nearly 35% of the demand for compostable & biodegradable refuse bags is likely to come from the industrial segment. The retail & consumer category is estimated to provide an additional potential of US$ 97.3 Mn by 2028, with a CAGR of 8.1%, whereas the capacity type exceeding 1.5 mils is expected to grow at an annual rate of 8%.

2013-2021 Compostable & Biodegradable Refuse Bags Market Outlook Compared to 2022-2028 Forecast

Sales are expected to register a CAGR of 8.0% between 2022 and 2028, in comparison to 7.5% CAGR registered from 2013 to 2021.

Rapid transition towards organic products, growing environmental concerns and increasing adoption of these bags across diverse end-use sectors are some of the major factors driving the growth in the market.

These bags have emerged as an ideal alternative for the hazardous plastic products. They are generally made from organic materials which are totally safe and degrade at faster rates. They have become standard solutions for the waste collection across various end-use industries.

Rising focus towards sustainability and growing concerns regarding the serious consequences of using plastic bags are compelling manufacturers to produce eco-friendlier alternatives, thereby augmenting growth of the market.

Various studies have found that plastic plays a significant role in inducing various diseases and allergies. Millions of terrestrial and aquatic animals die each year due to plastics. According to a report published by the Ecology Center, many plastic materials such as polyvinylchloride and polystyrene can cause cancer, liver dysfunction, dizziness beside other diseases. To counter this, people are shifting their preference towards compostable and biodegradable products.

Governments across the world are introducing new initiatives to curb the excessive usage of plastic bags and minimize the environmental pollution. For instance, the central government of India banned the single use plastics. This is positively impacting the growth of compostable & degradable refuse bags.

Continuous advancement in technology is anticipated to support the growth in the market. New innovative methods are being introduced to facilitate the decaying of compostable and biodegradable bags. For instance, in April 2021, scientists at University of California, Berkeley invented a new way to breakdown compostable products more easily, with just heat and water.

Backed by the aforementioned factors, the compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market is set to expand 1.6X through 2028.

Request comprehensive report brochure

Will Rising Environmental Concerns Continue to Boost Sales?

Increasing pollution levels due to excessive usage of plastic has always been a prime concern for global leaders. Various studies have confirmed the role of plastic waste in lowering the soil quality and spreading the diseases. This has compelled many governments to take strict measures.

Globally, massive amount of plastic waste gets generated from various sources including industries and households. Heavy accumulation of plastic waste in both land and water leads to some serious consequences. It is estimated that every year between 4.8 to 12.7 million metric tons of plastic enters the ocean.

As plastic is non-biodegradable, it stays for a longer duration of time. Plastic waste badly affects humans, birds, animals as well as the environment. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Australia, an estimated 100,000 marine mammals are killed by plastic pollution every year.

Rising environmental concerns has put compostable and degradable refuse bags under the spotlight. People have become aware about the benefits of using these ecofriendly solutions. Furthermore, surging governmental efforts to reduce pollution levels will continue to spur the sales of these products.

Penetration of ecofriendly refuse bags along with growing awareness among people of developing regions is projected to boost the growth of compostable and biodegradable refuse bags market over the forecast period.

Country-wise Insights

Why is China Emerging as Lucrative Market for Compostable & Biodegradable Refuse Bags?

As per FMI, China is expected to dominate the Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ) compostable and biodegradable refuse bags market during the forecast period. Increasing government efforts to reduce plastic usage, growing consumer inclination towards ecofriendly products and the presence of leading market players are some of the factors driving the China market.

China is the largest producer of plastic waste in the world. According to the World Population Review, plastic waste production in China reached around 59,079741 tons in 2021. This in turn is prompting the government to take strict measures to reduce the consumption.

Various initiatives and policies have been launched by the government of China from time to time to tackle the excessive usage of plastic bags. Moreover, advancement in technology and research has paved way for the development of superior compostable refuse solutions.

Adoption of ecofriendly compostable refuse bags is gaining traction. People are regularly employing these bags for collecting waste products. Based on the aforementioned factors, the China compostable and biodegradable refuse bags market is set to expand at a robust CAGR between 2022 and 2028.

What is the Growth Projection for India Compostable and Biodegradable Refuse Bags Market?

India has always been one of the leading consumers of plastic bags. People used different types of plastic bags in homes, offices, and industries. Lack of awareness, low cost and easy availability of plastic bags, and poor penetration of ecofriendly solutions are some of the factors fueling the adoption of plastic bags.

However, with the gradual rise of Indian economy and increasing government involvement, the scenario has changed significantly over the last few decades. Growing awareness among people regarding the harmful nature of plastics and benefits of ecofriendly plastic bags is creating lucrative growth opportunities for players.

The Indian government is playing a crucial role in promoting the adoption of compostable refuse bags. For instance, in 2021, Indian government banned the use of single use plastics to reduce the pollution levels.

Moreover, increasing penetration of domestic as well as international market players in India is supporting the market growth and the trend is likely to continue in the future.

Will the U.S Continue Dominating the North America Compostable and Biodegradable Refuse Bags Market?

As per FMI, the U.S will continue to dominate the North American market during the forecast period. Sales are expected to be driven by rising consumer awareness, increasing penetration of latest manufacturing technologies and heavy presence of leading market players.

Rapid industrialization and urbanization are generating enormous amount of plastic waste across the U.S. According to the World Population Review Report, the U.S. remained the second largest producer of plastic waste, generating around 37,825,550 tons of plastic waste in 2021.

Rising plastic waste is creating lucrative growth prospects for compostable and biodegradable refuse bags market across the country. People are inclined to use ecofriendly organic products to counter the rising pollution levels.

Expanding food and beverages sector across the country is creating strong demand for compostable and biodegradable refuse bags.

Category-wise Insights

Why are Sales of Low Capacity (7-20 Gallons) Bags Rising?

With rising disposable income, sophisticated life standard and growing awareness, majority of the households today use refuse bags to collect and transport waste products. Different types of refuse bags are being employed across houses, offices, and other industries. However, low capacity (7-20 gallons) compostable and biodegradable refuse bags are more preferred over others.

Low-capacity bags are less expensive and more convenient for waste storage applications across homes and offices. They can be easily handled and disposed. Rapid urbanization is anticipated to boost the sales of low capacity (7-20 gallons) refuse bags during the forecast period.

Which is the Top Selling Product Type?

As per FMI, the compostable segment is anticipated to account for over 60% of the global compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market value through 2028. Compostable refuse bags are usually made of natural plant starch. They do not contain any toxic material and are safer.

Compostable bags offer superior advantages as compared to biodegradable ones. They break down more readily through microbial activity to form compost. Thus, consumers are showing a keen interest in employing these refuse bags as compared to biodegradable ones.

Which is the Most Preferred Material?

As per FMI, starch blends will continue to remain the most preferred material type for the production of compostable and biodegradable refuse bags, accounting for a share of 24.5% in 2022.

Starch is one of the most affordable and readily available of all natural polymers, which is used for making various ecofriendly products such as compostable bags. Starch based bags can be easily degraded by microorganism and enzymes. The byproducts released can be utilized by the plants and other microorganism.

Starch blend based compostable bags usually decay at a rapid pace as compared to their counterparts. Increasing adoption of starch blend (corn, potato and other) for the production of ecofriendly refuse bags will drive market during the forecast period.

Why are 0-0.7 mil Bags More in Demand?

On the basis of thickness, the global market for compostable & biodegradable refuse bags is segmented into 0-0.7 mil, 0.7-0.9 mil, 0.9-1.5 mil, above 1.5 mil. Among these, 0-0.7 segment is anticipated to grow at a significant pace over the assessment period.

0-0.7 mil bags are lightweight, economical and degrade at a very faster rate as compared to other types. They are ideal for small trash cans in places such as homes and offices, where short term storage is required.

Increasing adoption of thin (0-0.7 mil) compostable and biodegradable refuse bags across homes and offices will continue to segment the market growth over the forecast period.

Which is the Leading End-Use Segment?

In terms of end use, compostable & biodegradable refuse bags market has been segmented into retail & consumer, industrial and institutional. As per FMI, around 35% of the demand for will be generated by the industrial segment. These bags are extensively used across industries to collect the large amount of waste generated.

Rapid industrialization along with growing awareness regarding the benefits of ecofriendly bags will continue to boost sales during the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape

Leading market players are constantly upgrading their product portfolios for increasing their customer base. They have adopted various organic and inorganic strategies such as mergers, partnerships, collaborations, and acquisitions to dominate the market. For instance,

• In 2020, Ecosac Utility bags, India’s leading brand of eco-friendly shopping bags and other utility bags, launched a new range of compostable and Oxo-Biodegradable garbage bags, called Kachra Sack. The new ecofriendly bags are ideal alternative to plastic bags and will help to reduce the pollution levels.
• In 2021, Indian startup SpruceGel announced the launch of its new range of eco-friendly and compostable bags. The new bags range from carry bags and garbage bags to apparel bags.
• In 2021, Compostic, one of the first creators of certified home-compostable plastic alternatives, launched new range of home-compostable cling wrap and resealable bags in the U.S.

Scope of the Report

Compostable & Biodegradable Refuse Bags Market by Category

By Capacity:

• 7-20 Gallons
• 20-30 Gallons
• 30-40 Gallons
• 40-55 Gallons
• Above 55 Gallons

By Product Type:

• Biodegradable
• Compostable

By Material Type:

• PLA
• PBS
• PBAT
• PHA
• Starch Blends
• Cellophane
• Paper

By Thickness:

• 0-0.7 mil
• 7-0.9 mil
• 9-1.5 mil
• Above 1.5 mil

By End Use:

• Retail & Consumer
• Industrial
• Institutional

By Region:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Western Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • U.K.
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Benelux
  • Nordic
  • Rest of Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
  • Russia
  • Poland
  • Rest of Eastern Europe
• APEJ
  • China
  • India
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • ASEAN
  • Rest of APAC
• Japan
• MEA
  • GCC Countries
  • Turkey
  • South Africa
  • North Africa
  • Rest of MEA