Black & Decker Leaf Blower Vacuum Bags, Disposable

Why I reached for disposable bags

My fall routine usually involves shouldering a blower-vac, filling the reusable cloth bag, then fumbling to empty it into yard waste barrels while a cloud of leaf dust coats everything I’m wearing. After one too many gritty afternoons, I tried the BV-008 bags—Black & Decker’s compostable, single-use vacuum bags—for a different workflow. They promise a cleaner, faster end to each vacuuming session: fill, tie, and discard according to local rules. After several weekends of cleanup on a medium-size yard, I’ve got a good read on where these bags shine and where they come up short.

Setup and compatibility

The BV-008 bags are designed for a specific family of Black & Decker blower-vacs: BV3600, BV3800, BV5600, BV6000, BV6600, LH4500, LH5000, and LH5500. Plan on picking up the BV-009 diffuser and strap if you don’t already have them. That accessory is important—it spreads and softens the airflow, gives the bag structure, and provides a carry point, which keeps the bag from feeling like an unruly windsock at your side.

Installation is straightforward:
- Clip the diffuser onto the vac’s outlet.
- Thread the strap and adjust it so the bag hangs at hip height.
- Stretch the bag’s elastic mouth around the diffuser outlet until it seats fully.

I had no fitment drama; the elastic sleeve grips well and didn’t creep during use. Removing a full bag is simply a reverse of the steps: support the bottom, peel the elastic off the diffuser, tie the bag, and you’re done.

Build and materials

The BV-008 bags are 100% compostable and conform to ASTM D-6400. In the hand, the film feels closer to a thick compostable trash liner than to paper, with a bit of stretch and a slick surface that sheds dust well. Crucially, the material breathes enough for the vac to maintain airflow; I didn’t notice any meaningful drop in suction as the bag filled, provided I wasn’t clogging the intake with damp clumps.

Durability is better than I expected for a compostable single-use bag. The seams are consistent, and the elastic band at the mouth is robust. I didn’t experience seam blowouts, but I did learn to avoid dragging a full bag over rough concrete—the material can scuff. If you keep the bag supported and avoid overstuffing past a comfortable carry weight, it holds up.

In the yard

Where these bags pay off is in the transition between “done vacuuming” and “ready for the next pass.” With a traditional cloth bag, you unzip and dump, and a burst of ultra-fine leaf dust escapes every time. With the BV-008, I tied the top and moved on, and the dust stayed in the bag. It’s a noticeable quality-of-life improvement—especially on dry, windy days or when working near patios, cars, or open garage doors.

Capacity feels reasonable for a standard blower-vac session, though I often wished the bags were a touch larger. If you tend to mulch aggressively, you can pack a lot in before weight becomes an issue, but weight is the limiter here more than volume. Wet debris jumps that weight quickly, so I stuck to dry leaf sessions when possible.

With the diffuser in place, the bag inflates predictably and doesn’t “whip” around. The strap keeps the load on your hip, not on your hands. Airflow remained consistent from empty to nearly full. I ran into minor compaction only when I tried to vacuum damp maple leaves; the resulting heavy mulch wanted to settle near the outlet. Shaking the bag mid-session restored flow.

Debris types: what works best

• Dry leaves and pine needles: Excellent. Mulch packs densely, dust stays contained, and the bag holds shape.
• Small twigs and seed pods: Good. The film tolerates small angular pieces without puncturing, but don’t suck up sticks much thicker than pencil size.
• Wet leaves or lawn thatch: Fair. The weight climbs quickly and makes the bag awkward to manage. If you must do wet work, switch bags earlier and support the bottom with your hand.

Practical tips from use

• Set the strap slightly shorter than you think. Keeping the bag off the ground reduces scuffing and snagging.
• Don’t chase every last leaf. Overfilling invites tears when you lift or tie off. I swapped bags once they were comfortably full and still easy to carry.
• Tie before you remove from the diffuser if possible. A quick twist and knot while the bag is still supported keeps debris from shifting.
• Keep a contractor barrel or bin nearby. Dropping tied bags in a barrel makes transport to the curb or compost station simple.

Disposal and the compostability claim

“Compostable” often raises questions. ASTM D-6400 means the bag is designed to break down in industrial composting environments. Many municipal yard-waste programs use those systems, but backyard compost piles often don’t run hot enough. Check local regulations, and confirm your collection service accepts certified compostable liners. Regardless, remove the elastic before disposal—the instructions call that out, and the elastic won’t compost with the rest of the bag.

Also be mindful of contamination. These bags are meant for yard debris. If you vacuum up gravel, plastic twine, or pet waste, you’ll contaminate your compost stream. I stuck to leaves, needles, and small plant matter.

Trade-offs and value

This is a convenience product. You’re trading the recurring cost of consumables for fewer messes and fewer interruptions. Each pack includes five bags, and how many you use in a session depends on your yard size and how fine your vac mulches. For my mid-sized lot, a weekend cleanup took a couple of bags. If you run your blower-vac as a primary fall cleanup tool and you dislike the dust plume that comes with dumping a cloth bag, the time savings and cleanliness are noticeable.

If you’re very cost-sensitive or you already have a painless system for emptying your cloth bag into paper lawn sacks, you may not see the same value. The BV-008 bags don’t turn a blower-vac into a lawn tractor; they simply streamline the bagging step and make it tidier.

What could be better

• Size options. A slightly larger version would reduce swap frequency for bigger yards.
• Clearer bundling with the BV-009. Because the diffuser and strap are crucial to the experience, I’d love to see a starter kit option for folks who don’t already own them.
• Wet performance. While asking a compostable liner to thrive with soggy mulch is a big ask, a version optimized for damp debris would be interesting.

What the BV-008 bags get right

• Dust control. Tying off a full bag is cleaner than dumping a reusable one, period.
• Seam and film strength for their class. They handle typical leaf mulch without drama.
• Easy setup with compatible models. The elastic mouth and diffuser interface work as they should.
• Compostability with guidance. Certified material, plus clear instructions to remove the elastic and follow local rules.

Who they’re for

• Homeowners who do frequent dry-leaf vacuuming and want a cleaner, faster turnaround between fills.
• Allergy-prone users who want to minimize exposure to leaf dust.
• Anyone with a compatible Black & Decker blower-vac who values a tidy workflow over the extra step of emptying a cloth bag.

Final take and recommendation

After using the BV-008 bags across a few cleanup cycles, I’m convinced they make blower-vac work cleaner and more efficient. They don’t increase suction or magically expand capacity, and you’ll still swap bags on big jobs. But they eliminate the dusty hassle of dumping—and that alone made my fall weekends more pleasant. The material holds up for a single use, the fit on compatible models is secure (with the BV-009 diffuser and strap), and disposal is straightforward as long as you follow local composting rules and remove the elastic.

I recommend the BV-008 bags to anyone with a compatible Black & Decker blower-vac who prioritizes cleanliness and convenience during leaf season. If your routine already includes easy transfers from a cloth bag into yard-waste barrels and you don’t mind the dust, you can skip them. For everyone else, especially on dry-leaf days, these bags are a simple upgrade that removes a chore from the chore.