Reasons to Choose Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags
There are 900 million dogs on earth who combined do over 2 billion poops a day! So that’s over 3 trillion kilos of carbon dioxide added to our planet, by using plastic poop bags.
Picking up after your dog is part of being a responsible guardian, but there’s more to it than just clearing the mess. The bag you use can affect the environment, your daily routine and even your neighbourhood.
Biodegradable dog poop bags are quickly becoming the go-to choice for people who care about their pets and their planet. Here’s a closer look at why choosing these bags is a wise and positive step.
Pick up poop immediately (white poop is also a toxin that can harm dogs, wildlife and children, and even cause blindness). Keep compostable poop bags in a cool dark place, away from pets and children.
Bin after use (not good to compost them due to medicines/shampoos in poop, and not legal to sell food made with it).
Councils can invest in better dog poop stations, which include free biodegradable poop bags, in case people forget. This costs less than sending out council workers to clean up poop afterwards.
Kinder to the Environment
Biodegradable bags break down much faster than regular plastic, using plant-based materials that decompose in the right conditions.
Standard plastic bags often linger in landfill for decades, sometimes even centuries, while biodegradable options disappear far more quickly. This means a smaller footprint for you and a cleaner world for everyone.
Simple to Use Every Day
Using biodegradable bags feels just like using traditional ones. They fit most dispensers and are just as strong, so you don’t have to change your daily routine.
Even the most eco-friendly options offer the same comfort and reliability, sliding easily into any pocket or clip-on holder.
Read our posts on volunteer dog walking and humane dog training (includes info on safe collars to avoid accidents off-lead).
Reduces Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is a huge problem, clogging up streets, parks and waterways. Biodegradable poop bags help cut back on single-use plastic, taking tonnes of waste out of the system every year.
A small switch in your daily habits can have a ripple effect, helping to keep your town, park or local nature spot free from unnecessary plastic.
Safer for Wildlife
Animals can mistake plastic bags for food or nesting material. Traditional bags pose a threat to birds, small mammals and marine life.
Biodegradable bags break apart harmlessly and don’t stick around long enough to become a danger to curious wildlife.
No Nasty Chemicals
Many biodegradable bags are made without harsh chemicals or dyes. This protects not just the soil but also your hands and your dog. If you’ve ever worried about what’s in your bags, switching to a simpler, plant-based option brings extra peace of mind.
Keeps Lawns and Pavements Cleaner
Dog waste left in non-biodegradable bags can take ages to disappear, leaving unsightly messes that last for months.
Biodegradable options break down with the contents, keeping lawns, footpaths and bins tidier. Your local council will thank you, and so will your neighbours.
Supports Greener Companies
Many businesses making biodegradable dog poop bags focus on sustainability and fair practices. When you buy from them, you support efforts for better packaging, supply chains and manufacturing.
Every pound you spend helps encourage responsible business decisions.
Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Making and disposing of traditional plastics uses energy from fossil fuels, releasing greenhouse gases. Biodegradable poop bags often come from renewable sources and break down without releasing as much carbon.
This is a direct way to cut your own contribution to climate change.
Better Bin Hygiene
Bags that break down naturally make life easier for waste collectors and anyone handling bins. There’s less chance of lingering smells or sticky residue left behind over time.
It’s a small upgrade, but it makes things nicer for everyone involved in the clean-up process.
A Statement of Responsibility
Choosing biodegradable bags sends a clear message: you care about your community and the planet. By using these bags, you show others that small changes matter and set a positive example for other pet owners to follow.
Choosing Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags
- Planet Underdog (London) create fully compostable bags (not just biodegradable which can take years to break down). Wrapped around paper card rolls, these are big enough for the scariest poops!
- Onya Dog Poop Bags (with refills) are certified compostable and each set has 30 bags (2 rolls). Includes an rPET pouch to hold them.
- The Green Poop Bag are unscented and strong (made from sugar and cornstarch) and also opaque with a smart print, handy ties, carry handles and easy-to-remove stickers. Sold in cardboard.
- Fetch It! make compostable poop bags (with Dicky Bags to hold them). Made in Cornwall from neoprene (wetsuit material) for a lightweight, soft and waterproof place to stack used bags, clip to your harness, lead or rucksack. The strong seam joint prevents odours.
Pooch Paper (with doo-doo resistant coating)
Pooch Paper (US) is a non-chlorine alternative to bags, made with green energy. It features grease-resistant coating to ensure doggie’s doodie remains inside paper, and not on your hand! Each box has a month’s supply.
You can also buy a zipped canvas bag to keep 20 sheets, and there’s a pooch paper dispensing station for councils, parks, tenant buildings and animal shelters.
We don’t have an alternative retail product yet in the UK, but councils and shops can buy paper scoop bags wholesale, as an alternative option (good for campsites etc, to prevent plastic waste).
Light Public Parks with Dog Poop!
Park Spark Project (US) is a great idea, to encourage people to pick up the poop. People literally throw the poop inside, use a hand crank and this produces energy to light the park!
