Real examples of 3 practical household items made from biodegradable plastics (and more you can actually buy)

3 practical examples of household items made from biodegradable plastics you probably already know

When people ask for examples of 3 practical examples of household items made from biodegradable plastics, three categories always come up first: trash bags, food-service items, and mailers. These are the low-hanging fruit—the things you use constantly and throw away just as often.

Let’s start with those three, then build out to more examples you can use around the house.

1. Biodegradable trash bags and compostable liners

If you want a straightforward example of biodegradable plastics in daily life, look under your sink. Biodegradable trash bags and compost bin liners are one of the best examples of how plant-based plastics have slipped into everyday routines.

Many of these bags are made from PLA (polylactic acid) or starch-based blends (often corn or potato starch mixed with biodegradable polyesters). Look for certifications like ASTM D6400 or BPI Certified Compostable in the U.S., which indicate a product is designed to break down in industrial composting conditions.

Real examples include:

• Kitchen compost bin liners sized for small countertop pails, usually made from corn-starch-based bioplastics.
• 13-gallon curbside compost bags used in cities that offer food-scrap collection.
• Pet waste bags labeled as compostable or biodegradable (though many facilities still don’t accept pet waste—always check local rules).

These examples of household items made from biodegradable plastics are practical because they replace something you already throw away. But they work best in communities with access to industrial composting. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), only a fraction of U.S. households have curbside composting access, which means many of these bags still end up in landfills where they break down slowly and can release methane.

Helpful resource: The EPA’s overview of food scrap and organic waste management gives context on how compostable products fit into the bigger system: https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food

2. Biodegradable food-service items: plates, cutlery, and cups

Another set of real examples of 3 practical examples of household items made from biodegradable plastics shows up whenever you host a party, picnic, or backyard barbecue.

Instead of traditional polystyrene or petroleum-based plastic, you can now find:

• PLA cold cups for iced coffee, smoothies, and cold drinks.
• CPLA (crystalized PLA) cutlery, which is heat-resistant enough for hot foods.
• Bioplastic-coated paper plates and bowls, where the plastic lining is compostable instead of conventional polyethylene.

These examples include products made from PLA derived from corn sugar, sugarcane bagasse (a fibrous byproduct from sugar production), or wheat straw. Many are marketed as backyard-compostable, but in reality, most perform best in commercial composting facilities with controlled heat and moisture.

If you host large gatherings or rely on disposables, these can be some of the best examples of greener swaps. Just remember: if your city doesn’t accept compostable plastics, they may still go to landfill. The benefit then is more about avoiding fossil-fuel-based plastics than about perfect breakdown.

For a science-based look at how bioplastics behave, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and various universities have published research on PLA and starch-based materials in composting environments. A good starting point is the USDA’s resources on bio-based products: https://www.usda.gov/topics/bioeconomy-biobased-products

3. Biodegradable padded mailers and shipping envelopes

Online shopping has turned our homes into mini shipping hubs. That makes biodegradable mailers one of the most underrated examples of 3 practical examples of household items made from biodegradable plastics.

You’ll see two main styles:

• Compostable mailers made from PLA and PBAT (a biodegradable polyester) blends, often with a paper outer layer.
• Starch-based padded mailers, where the cushioning is made from plant-based foam or shredded paper instead of plastic bubble wrap.

Brands often claim these mailers will break down in home compost in a few months or in industrial composting facilities even faster. Many consumers reuse them once or twice before composting or discarding, which stretches their life a bit further.

If you run a small business or ship packages regularly, these are some of the best examples of how biodegradable plastics can cut down on conventional plastic waste in your home office or entryway.

Beyond the big three: more real examples of biodegradable plastic items at home

The examples of 3 practical examples of household items made from biodegradable plastics above are just the starting point. If you’re ready to go further, here are more everyday items where biodegradable plastics are already showing up.

Kitchen and food storage: wraps, produce bags, and coffee pods

The kitchen is full of real examples of biodegradable plastics trying to replace traditional cling wrap and packaging.

Biodegradable cling wrap and food bags
Some brands now offer food wrap and sandwich bags made from compostable bioplastic films, often blends of PLA and plant-based polyesters. These products are typically thinner than regular plastic and are meant for short-term use, like packing lunches or covering leftovers.

Produce bags at the grocery store
Many supermarkets in the U.S. and Europe have swapped old-school thin plastic produce bags for compostable bioplastic versions, often labeled with green text or composting symbols. These are a real-world example of how policy and consumer pressure are nudging retailers toward biodegradable plastics.

Biodegradable coffee pods
Coffee lovers will appreciate this one. Some single-serve coffee pods now use biodegradable or compostable plastic shells, sometimes paired with paper filters. When certified for industrial composting, these pods can be processed with food scraps, at least in facilities that accept them. Check whether your local composting program allows them; many still don’t.

Bathroom and personal care: toothbrushes, floss, and cotton swab sticks

The bathroom is another quiet frontier for biodegradable plastics.

Toothbrush handles
Some brands use biodegradable plastic handles made from PLA or other plant-based polymers, sometimes blended with bamboo fibers. While the bristles are often still nylon (and need to be removed before composting), the handle itself can be an example of a partially biodegradable household item.

Floss picks and dental floss
A few companies now sell biodegradable floss picks where the handle is made from PLA or cornstarch-based plastics, and the floss is made from silk or other biodegradable fibers. These are still niche, but they’re real examples of biodegradable plastics moving into personal care.

Cotton swab sticks
While many eco-friendly cotton swabs use paper or bamboo sticks, a subset uses biodegradable plastic sticks instead of conventional polypropylene. These are designed to break down more quickly under composting or controlled conditions, though they’re still small enough to be a litter risk if not disposed of correctly.

For perspective on plastic waste in oceans and ecosystems, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) offers accessible information on marine debris and plastics: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov

Cleaning and laundry: pods, brushes, and packaging

Cleaning products offer more subtle examples of household items made from biodegradable plastics.

Laundry and dishwasher pods
Many pods use PVA/PVOH (polyvinyl alcohol) films that dissolve in water. These aren’t always marketed as biodegradable plastics, but some are designed to be biodegradable under wastewater treatment conditions. The science here is still evolving, and not all PVA is equal, but it’s an area to watch.

Biodegradable brush handles and scrubbers
Some dish brushes, toilet brushes, and cleaning tools now use biodegradable plastic handles instead of conventional plastic, sometimes mixed with plant fibers for added strength. Over time, this could shift a lot of plastic away from landfills, especially when paired with replaceable heads made from natural fibers.

Detergent and cleaner packaging
A growing number of brands are experimenting with biodegradable or compostable refill pouches made from bioplastic films. You buy a durable main container once, then refill it with liquid or concentrated cleaner from biodegradable pouches. This is a good example of how biodegradable plastics can support refill systems rather than replace every plastic item one-for-one.

How to tell if a biodegradable plastic product is worth buying

With all these examples of 3 practical examples of household items made from biodegradable plastics (and the extras we’ve added), it’s fair to ask: how do you know which ones actually make sense for your home?

Here’s a simple way to think about it:

1. Check the certifications

In the U.S., look for:

• ASTM D6400 or ASTM D6868 on packaging (standards for compostable plastics)
• BPI Certified Compostable logo (from the Biodegradable Products Institute)

These indicate the product has been tested to break down in industrial composting conditions. Without these, “biodegradable” can be just marketing fluff.

2. Match the product to your local waste system

Biodegradable plastics are not magic. They need the right conditions to break down:

• If your city has curbside composting that accepts compostable plastics, items like compostable bags, cups, and mailers can fit in nicely.
• If you only have trash pickup, focus on products that reduce fossil plastic use or are home-compostable and clearly labeled as such.

The EPA’s waste management pages explain the difference between composting, recycling, and landfilling in plain language: https://www.epa.gov/recycle

3. Prioritize high-impact swaps

Among all the examples of household items made from biodegradable plastics, some give you more bang for your buck:

• Trash and compost bags: You use them constantly, and they directly touch organic waste.
• Food-service items for events: They replace a big burst of single-use plastic in one go.
• Mailers and packaging: They reduce the plastic footprint of online shopping.

Once you’ve tackled those 3 practical examples, you can branch out to toothbrushes, cleaning tools, and bathroom items.

FAQ: Real examples of biodegradable plastic items at home

Q1. What are the best examples of 3 practical examples of household items made from biodegradable plastics?
Some of the best examples include compostable trash and compost bin liners, biodegradable food-service items like cups, plates, and cutlery, and compostable padded mailers used for shipping. These show up in everyday life, are easy to swap in, and are widely available in the U.S. and online.

Q2. Can you give an example of biodegradable plastics in the bathroom?
Yes. A common example of biodegradable plastics in the bathroom is a toothbrush handle made from PLA or other plant-based polymers, sometimes blended with bamboo fibers. Other examples include biodegradable floss picks and cotton swab sticks made from biodegradable plastic instead of traditional polypropylene.

Q3. Are biodegradable plastic trash bags really better for the environment?
They can be, but only when used correctly. If you have access to industrial composting that accepts compostable plastics, certified bags can help move food scraps out of landfills and into compost. If they end up in landfills, they may still break down slowly and release methane, so they’re not a perfect solution. They’re most useful when paired with a real composting system.

Q4. Do all biodegradable plastics break down in my backyard compost?
No. Many household examples of biodegradable plastics are designed for industrial composting, not backyard bins. Industrial facilities control temperature, moisture, and oxygen to help materials break down. Home compost piles are usually cooler and less controlled, so only products specifically labeled home-compostable are likely to break down reliably there.

Q5. Are there any health concerns with biodegradable plastics touching food?
Biodegradable plastics intended for food contact—like cups, plates, and wraps—are typically tested for safety under food-contact regulations. For general information on food safety and food-contact materials, resources from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and NIH are helpful starting points, such as: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging and https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

If you remember nothing else, remember this: start with the 3 practical examples that fit your life—trash and compost bags, food-service items, and mailers—then layer on other biodegradable plastic products as it makes sense. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s steady, informed swaps that actually work in the real world.