Paper leaf bags are perfect for homeowners who have a yard and need eco-friendly bags to throw away the waste. The paper leaf bag can be used to recycle the yard’s waste and transform it into compost, which can be used to provide nutrients to the plants.
In simpler words, paper leaf bags are a great option for storing waste but it can be challenging to close these bags since there is no closure mechanism.
How To Close Paper Leaf Bags?
Folding
The paper leaf bags cannot be closed by making knots since there is no space on the top. For this reason, it’s better to fill the paper leaf bag with the yard’s waste and leave space on the top.
Then, just fold the top part of the leaf bag to close it down. Make sure that you don’t overfill the paper leaf bag to its edge because it won’t close down. So, just leave enough space on the top and fold down the top part.
In addition, make sure that you remove hard litter and stones from the bags because these components can cause issues with the recycling process.
These bags can be sent to the local disposal centers as they have disposal equipment that transforms the waste into compost, which can be added to the soil, as it can accelerate plant growth.
Tape
Tape is another option that can be used to close down the paper leaf bags. Usually, people use plastic or duct tape to close the bags but these plastic tapes aren’t recyclable and cause hindrance in the recycling process.
Instead, use a paper tape to close the top edges of the paper leaf bag and put it out for the waste company to pick them up. Lastly, the paper tapes are strong and won’t come out unless they are cut, so you don’t need to worry about tape opening up and causing a mess.
Tips To Use Paper Leaf Bags
Paper leaf bags are the most reliable way of collecting waste and putting it out for recycling. However, there is a specific way of using these bags, such as;
- Do not add any fireplace ash, lumber, plastic-based trash, or animal waste to the bags because it can disturb the recycling process
- Do not add trash of more than 30 gallons
- If you have fruits and wooden chips, always use a separate cardboard box for them because these items can tear the bags
- Make sure that you tie the wooden sticks in bundles of 18-inches x 36-inches and use twine or rope to make a bundle rather than wires because the wires cannot be put in the recycling units
- The maximum size of tree logs allowed is six inches in diameter
- Do not drag the paper leaf bags on the floor as they can get wet and break down from the bottom, which makes it challenging to put in the compost trucks
- While purchasing the paper leaf bags, make sure that it doesn’t have a plastic liner
- While you are filling the paper leaf bag, it’s better to roll off its top edges as it helps the bag stand up and you will be able to fill it up easily
Benefits Of Using Paper Leaf Bags
The black trash bags are commonly used to collect the trash, including the yard’s leaves, broken tree logs, and weeds. However, they are not eco-friendly as they are made from plastic. For this reason, it’s better to use paper leaf bags as they have various benefits.
- Compostable
The brown paper leaf bags are compostable as they are made from recycled paper, which makes them an environment-friendly option . Since it’s biodegradable, the waste management practices become easier as collecting these paper bags is easier as compared to the heavy plastic bags, promising efficient service for the citizens.
As far as biodegradability is concerned, paper leaf bags degrade within six months as compared to plastic bags which take a thousand years. Also, these bags can be used as fertile waste for the plantation.
- Eco-Friendly Manufacturing
It’s commonly believed that paper leaf bags are made by cutting down the trees but it’s not the case. For instance, coconut husks, straw fibers, bagasse (sugarcane waste), and jute twine are used to make these bags.
These materials are made into a pulp, which is then processed to make paper leaf bags rather than cutting down the trees and causing deforestation.
- Recyclable
The paper bags are fully recyclable and they don’t emit poisonous or toxic gases into the environment during the recycling process like plastic bags. In addition, these paper bags can be recycled to make new bags, which makes them reusable and sustainable.
- Durable
The majority of paper leaf bags are designed to store over 30 gallons of yard waste, which is pretty much for the paper to handle. In addition, the paper leaf bags can be used for every type of garden waste, including grass and leaves, irrespective if they are dry or wet.
To Conclude
The paper leaf bags are great for storing the yard’s waste and ensuring they are properly recycled into compost. The bags are extremely durable and can be closed by folding their top edge multiple times or by using a paper tape.
It’s safe to say that the paper leaf bags have made it easier to manage and store the yard waste, and be easily purchased from hardware stores or local gardening centers.
You can also close a leaf bag by simply leaving enough of the top portion to pinch the edges together and then STAPLE them shut. This also prevents them from spilling out in the event they topple over. I have been using this method for years.