compostable plastic bags made of seaweed are designed to break down and not be recycled

Seaweed-made compostable plastic bags for composting

 

Sway evolves its compostable plastic bags made from seaweed that can break down in soil over time after use. A clear alternative to traditional packaging, the team says that using seaweed allows the container bags to be stronger, easier to produce, more affordable to make, and healthier for the environment’s health. For the latter, this means they return to the soil instead of staying in landfills or oceans for many years.

 

The team has released polybags, die-cut handle bags, and film wraps, all made of seaweed. Their surface is smooth like matter and has a frosted texture, and the exterior is translucent, allowing buyers to already see what’s inside. The handle bags are suitable for shops and daily use, while the polybags are made for business owners to ship their products in safely. These compostable plastic bags are made from seaweed, plant-based materials, and compostable polymers. The team adds that the packaging series is designed for composting, not recycling.

all images courtesy of Sway

 

 

plant-based materials and compostable polymers as ingredients

 

In a January 2026 Instagram post, the Sway team writes that they’ve improved the compostable plastic bags made of seaweed. They write, ‘through clever processing changes, this material is now stronger, more beautiful, and available in higher volumes at a lower price point.’ The design remains the same with the frosted look, and this time, it can carry loads better but still lasts only as long as it’s needed. After use, the bags can be placed in home compost or industrial compost systems, where they break down into healthy soil. They do not leave microplastics or toxic waste behind, as the team says, and if composting is not available, they advise throwing the bags in the trash. 

 

While this is not ideal, since the packaging is not recyclable, the material still avoids the long-term damage caused by plastic. The brand works with partners such as EcoEnclose to distribute the bags to businesses, small markets, and shipping operations, and they’re constantly improving the TPSea Flex, which is their in-house material that results from combining seaweed, plant-based materials, and compostable polymers to produce the compostable plastic bags. At the moment, their home compost certification is still in progress for the newer versions, but the others have already received industrial compost certification from TUV Austria, a global certification body.

Sway evolves its compostable plastic bags made from seaweed

detailed view of the packaging

the polybags are made for products

view of the packaging’s previous version

the die-cut handle bags are ideal for everyday use and shopping

the material is a mix of seaweed, plant-based materials, and compostable polymers

the packaging returns to the soil instead of staying in landfills or oceans

 

project info:

 

brand: Sway | @swaythefuture

company: EcoEnclose | @ecoenclose

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