Millions of people across the world live with canine friends, and of course, dogs produce a lot of poop! But conventional dog poop bags are made from non-biodegradable plastic. And even those made from recycled plastic never biodegrade. Modern versions are made from biodegradable ingredients that break down (along with poop). But which are the best brands, and are there are any other options? There are! Read this post to find out more. Also read how to find good dog walks (covers the Countryside Code, to keep both dogs and livestock safe).
Dog poop is naturally biodegradable, but has to be picked up. This is because it contains a toxin that can cause blindness in pets and children, if they fell in it. And this does not break down over time (in fact the older white poop that has dried out may be more dangerous). These bags do compost but you should never compost dog poop to grow fruits and veggies (although it can be composted to grow flowers, if done right. – read of toxic flowers to pets. Most dogs eat meat, so dog poop carries bacteria that could harm a human.
Not picking up dog poop can lead to parasites that can harm other dogs, wildlife, livestock or children if they came into contact with it. Councils can help by installing more dog poop bins (some councils have biodegradable rolls of bags attached, in case people forget). This still works out cheaper, than sending staff out to pick up poop that has not been picked up.
No matter whose ‘fault it is’, it’s the council’s responsibility to pick up poop that’s been left, if on public land. You can report any litter at Fix My Street (these complaints are sent to the council, but also go public on the website, which tends to speed things up!)
Dicky Bag (Cornwall) is an award-winning mobile bag that’s lightweight, airtight, washable and leakproof, to use until you find a bin, if you’re somewhere remote.
FETCH.IT compostable dog poop bags are strong and thick, with carry handles. The difference is that these bags break down within weeks, leaving no plastic waste behind. You can actually compost dog poop as long as it’s a separate bin, and not used to grow food for human consumption. If not, just bin them, and they will safely break down at landfill. These bags are extra large and split-proof and suitable for dogs of all sizes. A portion of proceeds from each sale goes to the charity Surfers Against Sewage, which organises volunteer beach cleans nationwide. The bags are available also without handles, or on a roll. Store these bags away from sunlight or they will biodegrade. If you have issues with peeling the sticker off the roll, this handy video shows you how.
The company also sells portable bags that you can attach to your belt, to deposit poop bags in, say if you’re at the beach or out in the country, until you find a bin. You can 3 or 6 months supply of bags (the new mitts appear to have fragrance and honey, so just stick to the conventional bags).
The Green Poop Bag (UK) are sold in 2 month supply bags. Designed by a ‘crazy cat lady’, these are made with sugar and cornstarch, with a dark opaque print, handy tie and carry handles. The box and cores are made from cardboard. Unscented.
Inspirational Dog Poop Bags from Abroad
Little Green Dog (NZ) sells compostable bags made from biodegradable materials. The company also make Poo Pod dispensers (each one made from five recycled cola bottles) to transform a waste product into something useful.
Pooch Paper (US) is a recycled, non-chlorine-bleached paper alternative to single-use plastic dog poop bags. These biodegradable and compostable bags are made with green energy, and have a grease-resistant coating made naturally during the pulp-drying process. This ensures your doggie’s doodie remains inside the paper, and not on your hand! Each box contains a month’s supply and can be discarded in any refuse container or composted (not for fruits/vegetables). The company also make Pooch Paper Dispensers for parks etc, made from weatherproof, powder-coated mild steel, install on any standard steel mounting post. Refill with bulk 500 or 100 paper pack and sold with an instructional waste bin sticker.
The Ultimate Poop Bag Combo (NZ) is all you need to be chief poop picker-upper! Leaving dog poop on the ground is not good (although biodegradable, it can cause blindness for any dog or child that fell in it). This combo is ideal if you like long walks, and don’t want to carry the poop bag in your hand, until you reach a bin. The Combo contains:
- 1 canvas dog poop dispenser in various colour choices. Small and chic, the handy design enables you to clip the dispenser to your lead or bag, so it’s easy to keep your hands free.
- 1 box of compostable dog poop bags (do not compost pet poop, if growing vegetables). Or just throw in the bin, where the poop and bag will both naturally degrade. These break down faster than biodegradable bags, around 6 months. Strong and leak-proof, they are ethically made and fit all types of dispensers. They are also unscented, and sold in sustainable packaging.
A Street Lamp Powered by Poop!
A few years ago, a project in the US made a park light powered by dog poop. It encouraged locals to pick up the poop, which was then put in a device and hand-cranked to power the light. Today such ideas are worldwide, with the UK’s first one launching in the Malvern HIlls, Worcestershire. Looking a bit like a giant washing machine, 10 bags of poop can give 2 hours of light! It’s also a great way to recycle dog poop, which if left where it sits, can cause blindness to both humans and children, if they fell in it.
The lamps work by using an anaerobic digester to produce methane gas. The lamp was invented by Brian Harper over 3 years, who was fed up of seeing poop in bags hanging from trees, or left on grass verges. In Canada, people are asked to drop their poop bags into concrete storage units, which are then emptied by trucks and transported to be turned into electricity (the fertiliser by-product is then sold to farmers).
Benevo Biodegradable Poop Bags are made from cornstarch and break down safely after use (manhy ‘degradable poop bags’ still break down into billions of tiny plastic particles over hundreds of years). These break down in 12 weeks and completely bidoegrade in 6 months, and the rolls and boxes are made with recycled paper and printed with water inks. They come in handy rolls of 15 bags with easy-tear perforations to separate each bags. In sets of 8, so 120 bags in total.
