Acceptable compostable bags and liners

Acceptable compostable bags and liners

Using a compost bag is a great way to keep your kitchen pail and green cart clean, as well as reduce odours and pests. While bagging is helpful, it is not always required.


Certified compostable logos

compostable-bag-no-logo
When buying compostable bags, look for one of these certified compostable logos on the box. This will ensure the bags will work with the Green Cart program.
A compostable bag example, filled with compostable waste.
The bags will usually be tinted (green, brown etc.) and will have the certified compostable logo(s) printed directly on the bag as well.

Examples of acceptable bags

Paper yard waste bag

Pet waste bag

Must have certified compostable logo

Kitchen pail bag

Must have certified compostable logo

Certified compostable bag options

If you choose to use a liner, here are some examples of certified compostable bags carried by retailers in Calgary. This is not a complete list - contact your preferred location to confirm product availability.​

Pet waste certified compostable bags
Locations available

Calgary Co-op

Pet Planet

  • Earth Rated Compostable (unscented)

Canadian Tire

Pet Smart

  • Earth Rated Compostable (unscented)

Especially 4 Pets

  • Earth Rated Compostable (unscented)
  • Leaf brand (natural green colour)

Pet Valu

Green Briar Market

Refresh Packaging (online only)

Leaf and Paw (online only)

Tail Blazers

  • Earth Rated Compostable (unscented)
  • Leaf brand (natural green color)

Marvellous Muttz Dog Grooming

  • Monty's Bags sold at store

Unleashed

  • Only Leaf and Monty’s poop bags are certified compostable

Pawticular

  • Earth Rated Compostable (unscented)
Brands available
BioBag dog waste bags (green printed only) Monty's Bags
Earth Rated compostable (unscented) only

Pawfect (unscented)
EcoSafe doggie poop bags

Superbio dog poop bags
LEAF dog waste bags
Paper yard waste bags
Locations available

Canadian Tire

No Frills

Costco

Rona

Giant Tiger

Save on Foods

Home Depot

Superstore

London Drugs

Walmart
Kitchen pail liners
Locations available

Box/No Frills

Refresh packaging (online only)

Canadian Tire

Rona

Calgary Co-op (including certified compostable bags available in rolls near checkout area)

Safeway

Costco (including certified compostable bag available at meat counter)

Save on Foods

Dollarama

Shoppers Drug Mart

FreshCo

Sobeys

Giant Tiger

Staples

Home Depot

Sunnyside Natural Market

Lee Valley

Superstore

London Drugs

Walmart

Pharmasave
Brands available
  • Al-Pack Compostable
    • 9.8 L Mini Food Waste Bags
    • 46.5 L Tall bin liner
  • Frank
    • 7.5 L Small waste bags
    • 46.5 L Tall waste bags
  • Bag to Earth
    • Small lined paper bag
    • Large lined paper bag
    • Large lined paper bag
  • Giant Value
    • Small liner bag
    • Tall compostable bag
  • Bag to Nature
    • Leaf and yard waste bag (extra large)
  • Great Value
    • 7.5 L Small bin liner
  • beyondGREEN biotech
    • 3 gallon liner bags
    • 5 gallon liner bags
  • Glad Compostable OdourShield
    • 9.84 L small quick tie
    • Tall compostable bag
    • Compostable lawn and leaf bag
  • Biosak
    • Small liner bag
    • Tall compostable bag
    • Yard waste bag
  • Hercules
    • 7.5 L standard food waste bags
  • Compliments Green Care
    • Small lined kitchen food waste bag (tie handles)
    • Tall compostable bag (tie handles)
  • LEAF kitchen bags
    • Small kitchen bag
    • Tall kitchen bag
  • Ecosafe
    • Yard and garden bags
  • No name
    • Kitchen bags
Last updated: October 2025

Kitchen compost pails

Put indoor compost pails in other rooms in your home beyond the kitchen – wherever you have a garbage bin, add an extra compost pail to make it easy to compost foods scraps.

You can purchase compost bins at hardware and big box stores like Canadian Tire, London Drugs, Lowes and Home Depot.
 
You can also reuse any container with a lid like an ice cream bucket.
 
The City of Calgary does not provide replacement kitchen pails.

How to fold flyers and newspaper to line your kitchen compost pail

 

 

For best results, use 3 - 4 sheets of large newsprint. The flyers  and newspaper along with the food waste can go directly into the green cart.

Download folding instructions

Unacceptable liner bags

Plastic bags are not accepted in the Green Cart program.
 
Plastic bags interfere with the composting process​ and break down into small pieces of plastic that will contaminate the finished compost.
 
NOTE: Bags labelled as biodegradable and oxo-degradable are also made from plastic and do not belong in the green cart.​​​​​​​​​​
Unacceptable bag liners
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