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If you’re anything like me, you pick up your dog’s waste in a green poop bag, toss it in the trash bin, and feel pretty good. After all, you’re helping the environment while cleaning up after your pooch, right?
Not so fast. Unfortunately, there’s something stinky in the world of “biodegradable” poop bag manufacturers.
According to the FTC, marketers of dog waste bags “may be deceiving consumers with the use of their unqualified ‘biodegradable’ claim.” If, for example, a product says it’s biodegradable, consumers like you and me probably think it will break down in the trash or composting bin. But due to unregulated guidelines and misleading packaging, it’s possible the poop bags you’re using aren’t as earth-friendly as they seem.
ASTM International standards determine the level to which plastics are biodegradable, and not all poop bags degrade quickly or safely according to these standards (most are never even certified to verify they do). Even among poop bags that meet the ASTM’s most stringent criteria for products that actually compost, most are only able to break down under a very specific set of conditions, usually at an industrial pet waste composting facility or a dog waste-only composting bin.
So what’s a responsible dog owner to do? Is there such a thing as a poop bag that’s good for the environment? We’ve got the scoop on earth-friendly poop bags and how to use them.
BioBag Pet Waste Bags
Plant-based BioBag Pet Waste Bags break down completely under the right conditions.
Why “Biodegradable” Can Be Misleading
According to the FTC’s Green Guide, which provides information to companies on how to truthfully market earth-friendly products, “a marketer making an unqualified degradable claim should have competent and reliable scientific evidence that the entire item will completely break down and return to nature…within a reasonably short period of time.” In other words, poop bag manufacturers should be able to prove that their product biodegrades as promised. And that’s simply not possible for many brands.
Unfortunately, many poop bags that claim to be earth-friendly or biodegradable don’t actually break down within a year, and some never degrade at all.
But it’s not necessarily the poop bag’s fault. Even the very best, most scientifically-proven biodegradable plastics won’t degrade in a landfill, where compression and lack of oxygen lead to “mummification” of garbage. To get the best results from earth-friendly poop bags, you have to dispose of them correctly.
Due to the controversy over labeling and evolving laws and regulations on a state-by-state basis, some poop bag companies have changed the language on their labels. For example, PoopBags.com no longer includes the term “biodegradable” on their packaging, even though their poop bags are USDA certified biobased and made from plants.
How Not to Scoop the Poop
I know what you’re thinking: isn’t there only one way to use a poop bag? It’s not how you scoop the poop that matters, but how you throw it away. It takes a little extra legwork to maximize a poop bag’s earth-friendliness. First, here are a few “don’ts” of dog doo-doo disposal:
- Don’t throw poop bags in the regular trash, where they’ll end up in a landfill
- Don’t put them in your home garden compost, as animal waste contains pathogens that can be harmful to humans
- Don’t put them in municipal yard waste bins, as most city compost facilities do not allow pet waste
For biodegradable poop bags to work effectively, they need to be disposed of correctly.
How to Be a Super Scooper
Here are some ways to make the best use of biodegradable pet waste bags:
- Use a dog-waste-only composting bin. There are several commercial options like the Doggie Dooley on the market, but you can also make your own with supplies available at your local home and garden store. While pet waste compost should never be used on edible plants, it can be great fertilizer for decorative gardens! (Seattle even has a start-up, Poogooder, that aims to curb improperly-disposed-of poop and “become a catalyst for local governments to start implementing dog-poo composting capabilities.” You can read more about it here.)
- Flush it. Yes, depending on where you live, you can flush dog poop unbagged, straight down the toilet, or in water-soluble waste bags. Just be sure to check with your municipal sewage guidelines, triple-check your bags are the right kind, and never flush pet waste into a septic tank.
- Bury it. This option works best if you live in a rural area with space away from the house. Waste should be buried at least five inches underground, away from vegetable gardens and water sources.
- Transport it to an industrial composting facility that accepts pet waste, or hire a waste removal company that does the dirty work for you (for example, the Green Pet Compost Company, which offers services in the Seattle and Portland areas).
Of course, you can also forgo the bag completely. Using a hand-held scoop or shovel to transfer dog waste from the ground to a composting bin, toilet, or hole in the ground may be the most earth-friendly option. But let’s be realistic: for those of us living and working in densely populated areas, the poop bag is the way to go. We just need to use them correctly.
The Best Earth-Friendly Poop Bags Available
Okay, so you’ve considered all of the above, and now you want some bags that meet high standards for eco-friendliness and will reduce your carbon footprint (when disposed of properly). We’ve got you covered.
BioBag Pet Waste Bags
BioBag Pet Waste Bags are made out of a resin derived from plants, vegetable oils, and compostable polymers, and break down completely under the right conditions. The company also makes great household garbage bags and kitchen compost liners from the same material.
BioBag Pet Waste Bags
Plant-based BioBag Pet Waste Bags break down completely under the right conditions.
The Original Poop Bags
Compostable under the right conditions, The Original Poop Bags come in a four-pack of 15 bags per roll. We love this paired with the equally-earth-friendly Hydrant Poop Bag Dispenser.
The Original Poop Bags
These certified biobased bags are one of the cleanest and greenest on the market, which is why we carry them at the Rover store.
Earth Rated Poop Bags
Earth Rated Poop Bags‘ plant-based, compostable waste bags are made from vegetables. As a eco-friendly bonus, the packaging and cores are also made from recycled materials to reduce their environmental impact.
Earth Rated Poop Bags
Vegetable-based and unscented, Earth Rated’s compostable pet poop bags also come in recycled packaging.
Doodie Flush Poop Bags
If you’re looking for a non-toxic flushable option, Doodie Flush Poop Bags are durable yet designed to start to break down when introduced to water.
Doodie Flush Poop Bags
Designed to break down in water and be flushable, you can also compost these bags under the right conditions.
BeyondGreen Bags
Made with USDA certified bio-based material, these poop bags by BeyondGreen are compostable and higher strength than plastic bags. They’re a great non-toxic option, using corn, vegetable oils, and water-based inks (for the print).
BeyondGreen Bags
These certified bio-based bags are made with non-toxic ingredients including corn and vegetable oils.
Further Reading
For more on environmentally-friendly pet products check out the articles below.
