As a responsible dog owner, you know just how important it is to pick up your dog’s waste. Not only is it the right thing to do, it’s courteous to other dog owners and K9s who walk the same streets and trails that you do. So you do your part by carrying around those “biodegradable” green poop bags, ready to pick up after your four-legged friend when nature calls. You then toss the baggy in the closest trash bin and feel pretty good about it, right? After all, you’re helping the environment while cleaning up after your pup— it’s a real win, win! However, it’s possible your poop bags aren’t as earth-friendly as you may think.
If a product says it’s “biodegradable”, it’s safe to think that the product will break down naturally in the trash or composting bin. Unfortunately, this is not true for the poop bag industry. According to sources, marketers of big company dog waste bags “may be deceiving consumers with the use of their unqualified ‘biodegradable’ claim.” ASTM International standards determine the level to which plastics are biodegradable, and not all poop bags qualify under their most stringent guidelines. Although there are some poop bags that meet the requirements, the majority are only biodegrade under a very specific set of conditions i.e can only be discarded at an industrial composting facility or a dog waste-only composting bin.
So, where do we go from here? If I purchase “biodegradable” will they be discarded properly to make my pricey poop bag purchase all the more worthwhile? Is there even such a thing as a poop bag that’s good for the environment? Read on to find out why it’s not how you scoop the poop that matters, but how you throw it away. Plus, check out our list of earth-friendly poop bags and how to use them for optimal results.
Why the Term “Biodegradable” Can Be Misleading
When it comes to using the term “biodegradable” manufacturers should be able to prove that their product biodegrades as promised. Unfortunately, the majority of bags that claim to be earth-friendly or biodegradable don’t actually break down as promised, and some never degrade at all. But it’s not to say that all companies are being deceitful with their marketing or that it’s the product's fault. Most biodegradable plastics won’t degrade in a landfill, where compression and lack of oxygen lead to “mummification” of garbage. For biodegradable poop bags to work effectively, they need to be disposed of correctly.
The Don’ts of Disposing Waste
- Avoid trash cans. They’ll end up in a landfill.
- Avoid at-home compost. Animal waste can be harmful to humans.
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Avoid city waste bins. Most compost facilities do not allow pet waste.
How to Dispose Pet Waste Properly
- Dog-waste-only composting bin. It can be great fertilizer for flower gardens.
- Flush it. Make sure you have water-soluble waste bags and never flush pet waste into a septic tank.
- Bury it. Waste should be buried at least five inches underground, away from vegetable gardens and water sources.
- Transport it. Drop it off at a composting facility that accepts pet waste.
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Hire someone. Find a waste removal company that picks it up for you.
Of course, you can also avoid bags all together and use a hand-held scoop or shovel to transfer dog waste from the ground to a composting bin, or hole in the ground may be the most earth-friendly option. But for those of 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
Here are a few bags that meet the highest standards for eco-friendliness, and most are made with biobased and/or recycled materials, vegetable based-inks, and/or meet the restrictive ASTM D6400 standard.
