Brightside Bio Bags
A change in yard waste collection will improve environmental stewardship and raise money for Brightside clean and green programs.
Louisville Metro would like to decrease the amount of plastic bags used in yard waste collection. This will improve the quality of the compost and result in less waste diverted to the landfill. Making compostable bags readily available to the public will help. This is an opportunity for Brightside as these bags can be sold and the proceeds reinvested in community beautification projects.
Why are plastic bags bad for collecting yard waste?
At present Jefferson County residents produce an average of 64,000 tons of yard waste every year. Most of this should be able to be diverted from the landfill and turned in compost to enrich the soil. However due to the use of plastic bags contaminating yard waste collection only 50% of this waste is compostable. The remaining waste product ends up in the landfill.
What options do residents have instead of plastic?
Reduce the amount of yard waste you have by using a mulching lawn mower and/or creating your own compost bin in your back yard.
Use a regular trash can, clearly labeled for “yard waste".
Use paper bags available at most hardware and grocery stores.
Use Brightside biodegradable cornstarch bags available at (locations tbd).
What is a cornstarch bag?
The Brightside cornstarch bag is made by BioBag. It has the look and feel of a plastic bags but they are made from a material called Mater–Bi and will completely biodegrade within 45 days. Even the ink and dyes are vegetable based.
How does the consumer know if the bag they use is truly biodegradable,
Many bags may advertise being environmentally friendly but for a bag to be biodegradable you should look for the US Composting Council seal. Bags that don’t have this seal may not be entirely bio-degradable. For example some paper bags use sealant made of chemicals that do not breakdown. Other bags may contain some traces of polyethylene plastic or use metal twist ties for closure.
Brightside Bio Bags are available at Heine Brothers Coffee for only $5 per roll (10 bags per roll). For more information on where you can buy your Brightside biodegradable bags or if you wish to be a retailer, contact us.
Cookbooks on sale for only $10 each.
The Brightside Community Garden Cookbook is now available for purchase. The recipes are by Brightside’s Community Gardeners. Proceeds benefit the community garden program.
To purchase a cookbook, contact Brightside, 574-2613, or download an order form here (PDF) and send to Brightside, 400 S. First Street, Louisville, KY 40202.
The cookbook costs $10. It can be picked up at the Brightside office or mailed (add $1 for shipping).
Brightside has 13 community gardens with over 1,600 participants in Louisville Metro. Brightside is Louisville’s non-profit organization dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship and the beautification of our community.
Gardening Tool Kits on sale for $20 each.
Contact Brightside 502-574-2613 to place an order or email brightside@louisvilleky.gov.