Washable, reusable rubbish bags replace single-use bin liners

The Australian company behind the TOMbags also offset carbon by planting a tree for every purchase

Spotted: Created explicitly as an alternative to single-use rubbish bags, bioplastic and otherwise, the TOMbag is waterproof, washable and made from recycled plastic bottles. Available in two sizes and with a handle at both the top and bottom, TOMbags are easy to use, easy to clean and are helping to stop a hidden cause of plastic pollution. Based in Sydney, Australia, the company has committed to planting a tree for every purchase.

With many countries around the world enacting bans on single-use plastic shopping bags, TOMbag’s co-founder Sasha Pestano was surprised when she couldn’t find a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic bin liners. Designed to last for at least 12 months, TOMbags can be completely cleaned with water alone. If needed, they can also be washed in a washing machine for a more rigorous clean.

Made from certified recycled plastic bottles, the large size holds 35 litres of waste, and the small size holds 18 litres. The bags are available for individuals and for wholesale. When a bag is no longer usable, the company works with Terracycle to repurpose the plastic.

Reducing the plastic deluge requires myriad solutions. Identifying the origin of ocean plastic is an important way of halting damage at the source, and an app Springwise recently spotted does just that. Another crucial aspect is to eliminate extraneous packaging and replace it with something sustainable, like these care products contained in bottles made from soap.

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