Compostable sandwich bags: what Australian shoppers need to know

A good compostable sandwich bag does three things. It seals properly, it holds up in a school bag or work bag, and when you're finished with it, it breaks down in compost instead of hanging around for centuries.

Our Resealable Food Storage Bags come in snack, sandwich and storage sizes, from $4.99. They're certified home compostable (TÜV Austria OK compost HOME), tested for food contact and freezer-friendly.

What makes a sandwich bag "compostable"?

"Compostable" isn't just a nice word on a pack. It means the material has been tested to break down in compost, under a defined standard, into carbon dioxide, water and biomass. "Biodegradable" on its own has no fixed standard or timeframe, so it tells you a lot less. Our guide to compostable vs biodegradable explains the difference.

In Australia, look for:

• AS 5810 or TÜV Austria OK compost HOME for home compostable products.
• AS 4736 for commercial (industrial) compostable products.

A home compostable bag gives you the most options: your own compost, a neighbour's, or a community garden's.

What ZERO's resealable bags are made from

Our resealable bags are made from PBAT, corn starch and calcium carbonate. There's no PLA in them. They're certified home compostable and tested for food contact.

Your buying checklist

• A named certification. AS 5810, AS 4736 or OK compost HOME, not just "eco" or "plant-based".
• Home or industrial? If you'll compost at home, choose home compostable.
• Food contact. A clear statement that the bag is suitable for food. See our guide to whether compostable bags are food safe.
• The right size. Snack bags for crackers and fruit, sandwich bags for sandwiches and wraps, larger storage bags for leftovers and portions.
• Freezer use. Handy if you batch-make lunches. Ours are freezer-friendly.

Red flags: "biodegradable" with no standard named, no materials listed, and no disposal guidance on the pack.

Using compostable sandwich bags day to day

• Let warm food cool before sealing it.
• Keep the closure clean and dry so it seals properly.
• Use a container for soups, sauces and anything runny.
• Follow the usage guidance on the pack.

Storing your bags

Compostable bags are designed to break down, so store spare packs somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sun and away from the stove. Use older packs first. Our shelf life guide has more.

Composting your sandwich bags

1. Shake out crumbs and scrape off any leftover food.
2. Tear the bag into smaller pieces.
3. Mix it in with your food scraps in the home compost.
4. Keep the compost damp and turn it every week or two.

Using your council's FOGO bin instead? Check your council's rules on bags first, because they vary. See compostable bags and the green bin.

Compostable bags don't go in the recycling bin. They're not recyclable with conventional plastics.

Where compostable sandwich bags make the most sense

• School lunches, where the bag often doesn't make it home.
• Work lunches, picnics, road trips and camping.
• Portioning snacks and freezing sandwiches for the week.
• Any time you'd otherwise reach for a conventional plastic zip bag.

Lunchbox inspiration? Try our plastic-free lunchbox ideas.

Packing a lower-waste lunch

• Match the bag to the food. A snack bag for a handful of crackers, a sandwich bag for the sandwich. No half-empty storage bags.
• Batch it. Make a week of sandwiches, bag them, and freeze. Take one out each morning and it'll be ready by lunch.
• Bring the bag home. If there's a home compost, the bag can go in with the apple core and crusts.
• Cover what's left. For half a sandwich or a bowl of leftovers, our Cling Wrap is made from bioplastic and certified home compostable too.

Easy swaps, no lectures. That's the idea.

Snack, sandwich or storage: which size?

• Snack bags suit crackers, cheese cubes, cut fruit, veggie sticks and trail mix. Small enough for a kid's lunchbox.
• Sandwich bags fit a standard sandwich, a wrap or a muffin, with room to seal.
• Storage bags are for leftovers, batch-cooked portions and anything bigger, in the fridge or freezer.

Most households end up with a pack of each in the drawer. Buy the size you reach for most, and you'll waste less.

Common questions at the checkout

"Will it hold up in a school bag?" Our resealable bags are made for lunchboxes and school bags. Seal them properly, and keep heavy or sharp items from pressing on them.

"Will it go soggy?" Let food cool before sealing so condensation doesn't build up, and pack wet fillings like tomato between other layers of the sandwich.

FAQ

Are ZERO's sandwich bags home compostable?

Yes. They're certified home compostable (TÜV Austria OK compost HOME).

Can I freeze sandwiches in them?

Yes, our resealable bags are freezer-friendly.

Do ZERO's resealable bags contain PLA?

No. They're made from PBAT, corn starch and calcium carbonate.

Can compostable sandwich bags go in the recycling?

No. Put them in your home compost, or your council's FOGO bin if its rules allow bags.