Are Compostable Dog Poop Bags Environmentally Friendly ?

Not too long ago, biodegradable and compostable dog poop bags were seen as a pipe dream. Many experts ruled out this possibility and pinpointed the probability of the disparity between what manufacturers of the bags claim and what the bags do to the environment after they are disposed of.

According to an opinion by the FTC, manufacturers of the alleged biodegradable dog poop sacks “may be deceiving consumers with the use of their unqualified ‘biodegradable’ claim.”  

With increasing worldwide ecological consciousness, many do owners now are looking for the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of dog poop if they can’t find compostable poop bags.

What is the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of dog poop?

One of the biggest dilemmas most dog owners experience is what to do with their dog poop. According to a report by the Doody-Free Water Project, 22.9 trillion pounds of dog poop is produced in the United States alone, a huge percentage of which is usually left uncollected.

But dog poop, although biodegradable, poses some risks to environmental and human health because it contains pathogens and bacteria that can contaminate water as well as the marine ecosystem if disposed of poorly.

So what should you do? Is there an environmentally friendly way to dispose of dog poop? Yes, and we are going to discuss some of these ways below.

• Flushing it: Flushing your dog’s poop means it will be efficiently treated at a sewage plant or waste treatment facility. But note that not all compostable poop bags can be flushed since they need a lot of heat to decompose due to the formulated polythene that is contained in these dog poop bags, which also leave behind tiny fragmented plastic in the water.
• Using collection services: Another environment-friendly way to dispose of your dog poop is by using collection services. These services tend to haul the poop to a waste treatment facility, thus preventing this waste from finding its way to the landfill. Collection services can be a great option for you if you have limited mobility or lives in a townhouse and apartment that can shoulder the cost.
• Compost it: Perhaps the most beneficial way for you to ecologically dispose of dog poop is by converting it into organic fertilizer. Some municipals accept pet poop in biodegradable sacks along with other green wastes such as food in their compost environments.
• Using compostable dog poop: Go for a compostable green bag – also known as a green bag – to collect your dog waste instead of using plastic bags.

Biodegradable poop bags vs. compostable poop bags

What is the difference between biodegradable poop bags and compostable poop bags? When you hear biodegradable, it means the bag is still made of plastic, but it has microorganisms included to aid in breaking down the plastic.

These dog poop bags are similar in composition to degradable bags, which are also made of plastic but added other chemicals to allow the plastic to break down and degenerate when exposed to heat and sunlight.

Compostable poop bags on the other hand are often made from organic plant starch and don't emanate toxic fumes or materials.

Unlike biodegradable, compostable bags tend to disintegrate freely in a composting method, helped by microbial activity to create compost.

But not all compostable dog poop bags can be classified as compostable unless they meet a certain standard for compostability.

Note that compostable dog poop bags will not readily compost in a landfill.

The best compostable poop bags

 A quick search on the internet and you will come across many compostable dog waste bags that are made of plant-based and renewable materials.

But what makes the best compostable poop bag? Here is what all great compostable pet waste bags have:

• Plant-based: A compostable pet waste bag should be made from plant-based materials such as corn and tapioca.
• Packaging: When it comes to packaging, look for bags sold with very minimal packaging made of post-consumer materials.
• Unscented: Dog poop bags scented with artificial fragrances might contain noxious chemicals that are produced when the bag decomposes.
• Solid core: A good compostable dog poop bag should have a recyclable cardboard core and not plastic.

Here are some of the best compostable poop bags on the market today for the environmentally-friendly disposal of your pet waste.

• BioBag Pet Waste Bags

These dog poop bags are made from resin extracted from vegetable starch, plants as well as compostable polymers that make them easily degradable under heat or sunlight.

In addition to pet waste bags, the brand also manufacturer kitchen compost liners and garbage bags – all from the same eco-friendly materials.

• Earth Rated Poop Bags

We like these dog poop bags because they are not only made of plant-based materials, but their cores and packaging are also made from reprocessed materials.

• LAIKA Biodegradable & Compostable Dog Poop Bags

Certified OK Compost Industrial & Seedling and OK Compost Home under European standard by Tuv Austria Industrial/Home, it is not hard to see why these products are among the best in the industry.

These dog poop bags are 100% leak-proof and 100% compostable.

How long do LAIKA Compostable Dog Poop Bags take to decompose?

LAIKA Biodegradable & Compostable Dog Poop Bags are among the leading eco-friendly pet waste bags on the market today.

They are made of plant-based materials from corn starch and other bio-based proprietary materials that make them 100% compostable and 100% biodegradable.

The cardboard core and packaging of these compostable dog poop bags are made from 100% recyclable materials.

Having been made of 100% organic materials, the LAIKA Biodegradable & Compostable Dog Poop Bags take 90 days to fully decompose. During this microbial activity, the bags will not produce any harmful fumes or materials.

Other Eco-friendly ways to dispose of my dog’s waste

• Bury the waste: If you have enough space away from your home, you can just bury your dog poop waste some five inched below ground. Make sure you bury it away from any water sources and garden.
• Haul it: Another eco-friendly way to dispose of your dog waste is by haling it to a local industrial composting facility that accepts dog and other pet waste.