Norpro Recyclable Bags, 50 Pieces , 14in/35.5cm x 16in/40.5cm

The way I understood the decomposition of this product was that I could toss contents & bag into my backyard compost bin & it would decompose there. I actually waited some 7-1/2 months to review the product to see how this went. Well, just last week I finally got around to using my compost mix as I am redoing my entire back yard. The plan was to use the contents to beef up my soil. Was very surprised to find 2 bags fully intact (not even weakened) after a few months. A 3rd bag had a tear in it. The contents were fully decomposed. I guess the point is that the bags fully breakdown in a commercial setting such as a landfill, as opposed to other plastic products that "live" forever. I will use up the 2 boxes I have & give it 4 stars because they are durable. While I rarely take a chance & just carry the bag from kitchen to outside, did so a couple of times with nary a drop of "stuff" dripping out. So, I didn't want to trash the rating due to what I believe was my own misunderstanding. But, I do plan to try other brands to see if I can find one that will break down in the outside bin (but not the inside one!)Update 5/15/2013 -- Curious, went back to this product to see other reviews. Apparently I'm not the only one who "assumed" this product would decompose in my outside compost container. The most recent review sort of did it - this product is ordinary petroleum-based plastic apparently. Disappointed. Rather than use up the 1-3/4 boxes I have, will be tossing them and looking for something more appropriate to continue my plan to make my garden self reliant and devoid of poison. Can't decide if the product description was intentionally deceptive or if I just jumped the gun and "assumed." No matter, will be more careful in the future.

If you've ever spent anytime in Hawaii, then you will know the problems you face with keeping wet garbage ... insects, cockroaches and centipedes. Centipedes especially love wet environment and hide in them. Plus, those supposedly LEAK PROOF garbage bags are not all that leak proof and more often than not, you wind up with stinky wet garbage can under your sink.So I purchased one of those Norpro one gallon compost pail. They are perfect for keeping wet garbage and insects away.The problem is, since they've done away with plastic bags at the grocery stores here in Hawaii, the only way I can line the pail is to use those vegetable bags you get at the store when you purchase vegetables. But since there's only ME, I was not able to buy enough veggies to supply me with plastic bags.I was elated when I found out that Norpro finally came up with these bags. Ten bucks is cheap when you consider the diseases that these critters may be carrying around with them. Certainly you don't want any reason to attract them into your house.

Just like about everyone I misread the description of these bags. I saw "Recyclable" and in my head was hearing "Compostable". The reason for this mistake is very simple: to "recycle" these bags would utterly defeat the purpose of their convenience. You would need to fill with your compost materials until full, empty the bag into the compost bin or pile, and then wash the bag thoroughly to place into your recycling. You would be better off just keeping an un-lined compost pail and washing it every time.And so, while I don't mind emptying the compost liner into the compost bin, and then throwing the used liner into the garbage, I do feel that it was a totally unnecessary, confusing, and inaccurate claim that these liners are "Recyclable" (almost any plastic is recyclable). Further, these liners aren't even marked with a Recycling Placard with the number containing the type of plastic. Since they are missing that number, most likely they would go into the garbage even if you sent them to your recycling center.The product itself, as a non-reusable liner for your compost pail, works perfectly, does not leak, and fits the pail exactly. In that it would deserve a 5-Star rating. Since it is marketed as "Recyclable and Reusable" I would say that it only achieves a rating of 3-Star in meeting those claims.

These bags have held up well. I got smart one day and lined them in a hermetic style canister we had sitting unused. So far it's doing well in there. It is important to know that these don't break down. So you'll want to empty them into your bin and toss them in the trash. Otherwise you could till them into your soil or line your garden to keep weeds down. currently this is what they are being purposed for in our fruit plant tires. Yes, we keep some of our plants in tires. We have hard clay dirt and plant a lot of stuff in tires because it makes it easier to grow.I don't believe we will be buying them again, we just bought them because it seemed quick and easy, I didn't really research them at all. But next time I will look for something that will break down, or maybe use a paper bag. The canister we are going to stick with and it is so small and needs changed every day to every other day. I wouldn't recommend keeping one in the house longer than that. You'll start to regret having to open it and it may turn you away from composting.Over all, they are good for some things, but I don't believe we will be purchasing them again. Doesn't hurt to see if they are right for you.

I have been using these Norpro Recyclable Bags for a little over two years. I do not throw them into the compost pile though but instead use the bag once again in the compost bucket and then re-use it, if not too messy, to dispose of junk from the garage or yard and then throw away. I wanted a brand that would decompose though to help my husband in case I am away from home and he throws the full bag into the compost pile. What I like about these bags is that they are sturdy and I can often use the bag two times in the bucket before disposing of it. My cousin gave me a couple bags of a different brand to try and her bags were not sturdy and ripped before the compost was ready for the compost pile causing a mess in the compost bucket or in route to the compost pile. I've never had a problem with the Norpro bags ripping; I much prefer these Norpro bags over the bags my cousin uses.