This past week I started putting up the outside holiday decorations. A tradition and neighborhood competition that I anticipate each year. Before stringing the lights with a mix of garland and bows on my split-rail fence, I needed to rake up the remaining leaves. After raking the leaves into a pile, I realized I had nothing to put them in. So, it was off to Meijers, the closest store with a garden center open after 5:00 pm on a Sunday.
I walked into the store asking the first associate in my path where the garden bags were. I was a little confused when asked, “plastic or paper?” — a phrase normally heard when checking out. It turns out Meijers sells paper garden-waste bags. The bags look like an oversized grocery bag. Not needing more than one or two bags, the five pack was a great deal for only $1.87.
The bags held up to being over stuffed with leaves and twigs. Each bag has a capacity of 30 gallons and are double-ply for durability. There are two major differences when comparing plastic to paper. Paper garden waste bags are 100% biodegradable and are self standing. I give paper lawn and garden waste bags two green thumbs up.
Warren Seegers is the producer of the home improvement TV reality show The Edifice Venture. He was also a finalist on DIY Network’s Stud Finder 2009.