If you're worried about global plastic waste, you're not alone. Around 400 million tonnes of the stuff is produced every year, with an estimated 50% of this being single-use plastic. But what can we do to reduce our individual plastic footprint as pet owners? The answer's simpler than you might think...
Poo bags are an unavoidable part of life for dog owners. With around 13 million dogs in UK homes, the daily tally of waste bags used across the country is staggering. Unfortunately, the journey of these bags doesn’t end when we throw them in the bin. Instead, many of them go on to contribute to one of the planet's biggest challenges — plastic pollution.
The problem with traditional plastic poo bags lies in how they break down. These bags, often made from petroleum-based plastics, don’t decompose naturally. Instead, they can take hundreds of years to degrade in landfill, all the while breaking into smaller pieces known as microplastics. These tiny particles contaminate soil and waterways, harm wildlife, and even make their way into our bodies!
The bags that don't make it to landfill are often incinerated instead; this process releases toxic chemicals, microplastics and greenhouses gases. While it may save space in landfill, it certainly isn't a better option for our environment.
Clearly, traditional bags just won't cut it anymore — so what are the alternatives?
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Recycled
Recycled plastic bags are made using post-consumer waste, including plastic bottles and other single-use plastics that may have otherwise polluted our environment. While this is not a perfect solution (plastic still ultimately ends up in landfill), plastic recycling saves between 30% and 80% of the carbon emissions associated with virgin plastic. If you must use plastic bags, opt for ones with a high recycled plastic content.
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Degradable vs Biodegradable
Degradable bags are commonly mistaken for biodegradable bags, it's an easy mistake to make. A degradable bag is a petroleum-based plastic bag that can take hundreds of years to decompose into microplastic fragments.Biodegradable bags are made from bioplastics which can be converted into water, carbon dioxide (CO2) and bio-mass over time with the help of micro-organisms — this process is called biodegradation. Simply saying a bag is biodegradable isn't specific enough, as the length of time biodegradation takes is subject to environmental conditions such as humidity and temperature (compostable bags are where this gets cleared up, we'll talk more about those below!).
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Oxobiodegradable
Even more concerning are oxo-degradable bags, which are commonly sold in the UK. These bags are made from regular plastic with added chemicals to speed up their fragmentation. But this doesn’t mean they disappear — it just means they break into microplastics faster. The result? Tiny plastic particles that linger in the environment, causing lasting damage.
So, what’s the solution?
Certified compostable and biodegradable bags are the way forward for reducing your plastic footprint as a dog owner.
Compostable bags are totally plastic free, typically made from a cornstarch blend — meaning no harmful chemicals or microplastics are left behind when they decompose. To identify a compostable and biodegradable bag, look out for the TUV and EN 13432 certifications.
Read on for our 3 top picks for compostable, biodegradable dog waste bags at Healthful Pets...
The Green Poop Bag – Compostable Poo Bags
- Fully biodegradable and compostable, TUV and EN 13432 tested and certified
- Large bags with easy to tie handles
- Unscented and vegan friendly
- Price: £9.90 for a box of 120 bags
Adios Plastic Compostable Poop Bags
- Fully biodegradable and compostable, TUV and EN 13432 tested and certified
- Extra-strong, large bags (20% thicker than the competition!)
- Leak proof, odour proof and rain proof
- Price: £5.99 for a 60 bags, £8.50 for 120 bags
Available in rainbow (pictured below), coral pink or slate grey.
BioBag Compostable Dog Waste Bags
- Fully biodegradable and compostable, TUV and EN 13432 tested and certified
- Large, opaque bags
- Strong and leakproof
- Price: £4.75 for a box of 40
While poo bags are essential for responsible dog ownership, they don’t have to come at the planet’s expense. By making a simple switch to plastic-free, compostable alternatives, we can all do our part to reduce plastic pollution. These alternatives are designed to break down completely, leaving no harmful residues behind, meaning you can clean up after your dog in confidence that you're doing your best for the planet!
Shop our full range of eco-friendly and natural dog poop bags and clean-up essentials here. For any questions, please feel free to get in touch on 01565 740777 or email us at [email protected]
