RKW launches first compostable waste bag made mostly from renewable materials

12 Jul 2018 --- Germany-based film solution specialists RKW is set to launch a biodegradable star-sealed bag for organic household waste. Certified as fully compostable by DIN Certco, it is also the first T-shirt starseal bag made from more than 50 percent renewable materials. It mainly consists of starch and polylactic acid (PLA) and other biodegradable components. The star-sealed bottom of the bag also boasts liquid leakage prevention capabilities. It is produced at RKW Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City.

The disposal of organic waste from kitchens has always been a challenge for households: conventional plastic bags cannot be disposed of along with organic waste while paper bags tend to soak through over time. Now, film manufacturer RKW has launched plastic waste bags on the German market that are fully compostable and thus suited for organic waste. The bags will be supplied by major retailers.

“With the first T-shirt starseal bags that are compostable and consist of more than 50 percent from renewable materials, RKW is a pioneer on the market,” says Manh-Hung Ngo, Product Manager at RKW Vietnam. “So far, bags with approximately less than 40 percent renewable content have been available in markets such as France or Italy. We were able to design bags with a significantly higher proportion. Hence, these waste bags are another milestone towards a more sustainable future.”

The main components are starch, deriving from corn and PLA. The bag is fully compostable and certified to European standard EN13432 by the DIN Certco institute in Berlin, Germany.

Advantages for the customer
The new waste bags are highly practical and offer several advantages to the consumer. For organic waste, most people normally use paper bags which are fully biodegradable. But as a downside, they are likely to turn soggy and tear easily when taken out of the bin. Here, RKW’s star-sealed bag provides a real benefit as it doesn’t need to be removed from the waste and thus makes the disposal of organic waste much more convenient. It features carrying handles that can be used to tie the bag and a star-sealed bottom that consumers are familiar to from conventional plastic-based waste bags. As a result, the bag is suited for bins with different shapes and prevents the leakage of liquids. Multiple layers strengthen the bottom, avoiding damage to the bag.