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Albeit far from anyone’s favourite activity, however, scooping the poop is the best thing we can do for the environment. This has left many eco-conscious pet parents looking for a greener alternative to the old plastic poop bag. Good news! Tried and tested, we’ve put together our ultimate list of the best eco-friendly dog poop bags. No matter your budget, whether you prefer scented, unscented, bags on a roll, or loose bags, we have an option for you.
The Eco-Friendly Dog Poop Bag Buying Guide
At a basic level, what we all want from a dog poo bag is for it to hold your dog’s poop without it leaking or splitting while concealing as much odour as possible. Additionally, the ease of handling and the speed at which you can get a poop bag open and then sealed again are all factors to be considered.
However, when shopping for an eco alternative there are more things to consider. ‘Biodegradable’, ‘Eco-Friendly’, and ‘Compostable’, what do they mean, and what is the difference?
In the UK, consumer protection legislation does not prevent companies from making environmental claims about their products, as long as they do not mislead consumers. While not perfect, it is a start. Things are a little more complicated in the US, as laws can vary between states. California, however, has led the way with its eco-labelling laws, which impose legal responsibilities on marketers.
With so many ‘eco-friendly’ dog poop bags on the market, all making various claims as to their environmental credentials, it can be very confusing.
Understanding Eco Jargon
It’s key to understand the green jargon used by companies so you know exactly what you are buying. That’s why we’ve put together an eco jargon buster to help make shopping a breeze!
- Eco-Friendly: a product designed to not be harmful to the environment or to be less harmful than similar products. It doesn’t guarantee that the product has no impact on the environment.
- Biodegradable: a product that will eventually break down into smaller and smaller pieces. Almost everything is biodegradable, even plastics. However, while plastics can break down into smaller particles, they potentially leak chemicals into the environment. The time taken for something to break down can vary greatly, from a few weeks to hundreds of years. Ultimately, the term biodegradable isn’t very helpful as it can easily be applied to so many things.
- Compostable: refers to a product that breaks down into safe, non-toxic, natural elements. The rate at which it decays is comparable to other organic materials and can produce usable compost.
- Bio-based Materials: these are substances that are derived from living matter. While common materials, such as paper, wood, and leather, are referred to as bio-based materials, typically the term refers to modern materials that have undergone extensive processing. Bio-based materials are often biodegradable, however, this is not always the case.
- ASTM D6400: this is the US standard specification for plastics designed to be composted. Requires compostable plastics to have degraded by 60% within 6 months. However, it is worth noting that the time scale is based on industrial composting facilities and not home composts.
- EN13432: this is the EU standard specification for plastics designed to be composted. Requires compostable plastics to have disintegrated within 12 weeks and degraded by 90% after 6 months. Similar to the US specification, the time scale is based on industrial composting facilities and not home composts.
Our Top 5 Eco-Friendly Dog Poop Bags
No method of dog poop disposal has zero impact, but when out and about with your dog you have to be ready to scoop the poop. While no poop bag is perfect, we can limit our dog’s impact by opting for a poop bag with better environmental credentials.
With this in mind, we’ve put together our favourite greener, more eco-friendly dog poop bags for you to try! We’ve included compostable options, recycled bags and bags made with bio-based materials, as well as rolls and loose bags, with and without handles. Whether you have small dogs or big dogs to clean up after, or whether you like to buy from companies that do good things and give back. There is something for everyone and every budget.
The Top 5 Rundown
Best Overall: Pogi’s Plant-Based Compostable Poop Bags
Best for Small Breeds: Beco Compostable Poop Bags
Best/Biggest Charitable Donation: Give A Sh!T Compostable Dog Poop Bags
Best Recycled: Beco Strong & Large Poop Bags
Best Value: PET N PET Dog Poo Bags 38% Biobased
Best Overall
Pogi’s Plant-Based Compostable Poop Bags
Pogi’s are a US-based company that makes high-quality pet products from sustainable materials. Staying true to the company’s earth-friendly values, they’ve sought out certifications to assure customers their products meet the highest biodegradable standards.
If you’re looking for a compostable poop bag that you can purchase at a reasonable price and in large quantities, these may be the poop bag for you. Pogi’s Plant-based Compostable Poop Bags are certified compostable to ASTM 6400 and EN13432 standards, and all outer packaging and roll cores are made from recycled materials and can be recycled.
These bags are the thickest compostable poop bags on our list at a mega 20 microns thick, and they really do feel very strong! You can definitely feel confident scooping the poop knowing that no poop-to-hand contact will occur with these trusty poop bags.
One of the things I like most about Pogi’s compostable range is the selection of bags they offer. Rolls are available both with or without handles, and loose bags are also available both with or without handles. It’s rare that compostable poop bags have this much variety, there really is an option for everyone.
Each roll is sealed with a little Pogi face sticker that is easily peeled without damaging the first bag. Rolls have an easy-tear perforated line and are very easy to open. They also fit any standard-size poop bag dispensers. Loose bags are also a breeze to open and the box doubles as a handy dispenser, which is great as it helps store the bags neatly.
Most compostable bags on the market are generally sold in smaller pack sizes, which can be annoying if, like me, you like to stock up. However, Pogi’s offers a fantastic range of larger pack sizes:
> Rolls without handles (22.9 x 34.3 cm) are available in packs of 135, 270, and 480.
> Rolls with handles (18 x 37 cm) are available in packs of 135, 270, and 480.
> Loose bags without handles (22.9 x 34.3 cm) are available in packs of 140 and 300.
> Loose bags with handles (18 x 37 cm) are available in packs of 120 and 250.
Super thick and reliable, Pogi’s are hands down the most competitively priced compostable poop bags around. They also have the best selection of compostable poop bags we’ve seen and a huge range of pack sizes. It’s easy to see why Pogi’s Plant-based Compostable Poop Bags are top of our list.
Best for Small Breeds
Beco Compostable Poop Bags
UK company Beco launched in 2009 and are renowned for creating sustainable products that are both good for your dog and the planet. Beco donates 1% of every sale to environmental and social projects. They also work in partnership with Dogs On The Street (DOTS), a charity that helps to care for dogs of the homeless community, donating meals with their Get One, Gift One initiative.
Beco’s Compostable Poop Bags are made from cornstarch, an entirely renewable material, and are certified compostable to ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 standards. Both the outer packaging and the core of the rolls are made from recycled materials and can be recycled.
These bags are the thinnest on our list, at 15 microns thick. While no issue occurred during testing they do feel a little thin, which may put some off. However, they had no issues locking in nasty odours.
Bags are available in both rolls and as loose bags. The rolls were a little tricky to separate at the perforated line, but once apart are quick and easy to get into. The rolls also fit most standard poop bag dispensers, or you can pick up one of Beco’s handy Pocket Poop Bag Dispensers made from bamboo and rice husks, a by-product of the rice farming industry. Loose bags come in a handy dispenser box which is great and allows you to take just as many as you need.
These bags are just a touch smaller than other bags we tested, which is great if your dog is a smaller breed. Smaller dogs don’t need as large a bag for obvious reasons, smaller bags mean fewer materials are used and less waste, a win-win.
While Beco’s pack sizes are on the small side they are a good option for those that don’t bulk buy or are short on space:
> Rolls without handles (20 x 33 cm) are available in packs of 48, 60, and 96
> Loose bags with handles (18 x 33 cm) come in packs of 96.
Beco’s compostable poop bags are perfect for those with a more petite hound to clean up after. And their smaller pack sizes are also great for anyone wanting to try compostable poop bags without having to commit to large stock holding.
Best/Biggest Charitable Donation
Give A Sh!T Compostable Dog Poop Bags
Give A Sh!t are a US company that creates high-quality products that help reduce the waste of pet ownership. We love companies that give back and Give A Sh!t donate a huge 10% of profits to the wonderful Soi Dog Foundation, a charity based in Thailand that rescues, treats, and rehomes thousands of stray dogs and cats every year, and fights to end the dog meat trade in Asia.
Give A Sh!t dog poop bags are made from cornstarch and are certified compostable to ASTM D6400 and EN 13432 standards. And as to be expected, the packaging of these poop bags is made from recycled materials and can be recycled.
The bags are 18 microns thick and definitely feel strong enough to hold even the biggest dog’s business. These compostable poo bags are available in both loose bags and rolls, and despite being unscented they do a great job concealing powerful pongs. It’s worth noting that the sticker used to seal each new roll was slightly tricky to remove without tearing the first bag, requiring a little extra care. However, the bags do separate very easily. Loose bags come in a regular box, and while technically it isn’t a dispenser box it does a perfectly good job of keeping the bags stored neatly.
Give A Sh!t doesn’t have as wide a variety of pack sizes as some other brands, however, the pack sizes are large enough to keep you stocked up for a while:
> Rolls (23 x 33 cm) are available in packs of 120 and 240.
> Loose bags with handles (12 x 46 cm) are available in packs of 240.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly dog poop bag that is compostable and made by a brand that is serious about giving back and donating big to a great cause, Give A Sh!t Compostable Dog Poop Bags might just be for you.
Best Recycled
Beco Strong & Large Poop Bags
This is a second entry for Beco, with their Strong & Large Poop Bags, and strong they most definitely are! While these bags don’t match the environmental credentials of Beco’s Compostable Poop Bags they are made with 40% post-consumer recycled plastics, giving a second life to plastic waste, and are more energy efficient to produce than new plastics.
These bags are available both on a roll (no handles) and loose (with handles), as well as unscented and scented (mint) options. While I’m not a huge fan of scented poop bags, I liked that Beco opted for a mint scent rather than the usual go-to fragrance, lavender.
Each new roll is sealed with a sticker that is easily peeled and doesn’t tear the first bag. However, the bags were slightly tricky to separate at the perforation line, but once apart were easy to get into. The loose bags come in a box that doubles as a dispenser, neatly allowing you to take as many as you need without bags going everywhere.
As always with Beco packaging, both the roll cores and the outer packaging are made from recycled materials and can be recycled.
Beco provides a great variety of pack sizes in the Strong & Large range:
> Unscented Rolls (22 x 33 cm) are available in packs of 60, 120, 270, and 540.
> XL Roll box dispenser (22 x 33 cm) in a pack of 300.
> Loose bags with handles (18 x 33 cm) in packs of 120.
> Mint-Scented Rolls (22 x 33 cm) are available in packs of 60, 120, and 270.
It is worth noting that these bags are cheaper than their compostable counterparts, coming in at about half the price at the time of writing. For those looking for a good economical option, while still reducing their pet’s impact these are a great choice.
Best Value
PET N PET Dog Poo Bags 38% Biobased
US company PET N PET have been making pet products for more than five years, combining environmentally friendly products with competitive pricing. PET N PET also like to give back and support animal shelters and rescue centres.
If you’re looking for a more eco-friendly dog poop bag, that reduces your pet’s plastic usage without breaking the bank, these might be for you. PET N PET Dog Poo Bags contain less plastic than the average poop bag, making them a cost-effective, greener alternative. Made with 38% USDA-certified bio-based materials, resulting in less plastic going into the environment.
PET N PET Dog Poo Bags are available in both rolls (no handles) and loose (with handles), with both unscented and lavender-scented options. The rolls also come in a variety of colours to choose from. The outer packaging and the roll cores are made from recycled materials that can also be recycled.
These bags are 17 microns thick but when compared to the other brands we tested they did feel somewhat on the thin side. However, none split during testing but the bag’s overall feel may leave some questioning their strength and durability.
I really liked that the sticker used to secure each new roll has a perforated line, making it easy to get into without tearing and wasting a bag. The bags also have an easy tear line with a clearly marked ‘Open’ arrow and are quick and easy to separate.
The loose bags are very roomy thanks to the added extra wide gusset, which is very helpful for those picking up after a larger pooch. Also, the box has a handy dispenser flap, which keeps the bags neat and tidy.
Our favourite thing about PET N PET Dog Poo Bags is their larger pack sizes:
> Scented loose bags with handles (20 x 38 cm, with 6.3 cm gusset) are available in packs of 200.
> Unscented loose bags with handles (20 x 38 cm, with 6.3 cm gusset) in packs of 200 and 800.
> Scented rolls (22.8 x 33 cm) are available in packs 270 and 540.
> Unscented rolls (22.8 x 33 cm) in packs of 270, 540, and a huge 1080!
While these PET N PET are not the top eco-friendly dog poop bag on our list they are 38% bio-based and contain less plastic than a standard poop bag. And less plastic is always a good thing. Also, the competitively priced bumper 1080 pack is more than a year’s supply for the average dog, making them the best value and most budget-friendly option.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best eco-friendly dog poop isn’t easy, but overall compostable poop bags have the best eco-credentials. And opting for compostable dog poop bags will go a long way in reducing your dog’s yearly plastic usage. However, compostable poop bags can be more expensive than their plastic counterpart. A more economical option is to choose a poop bag made from recycled plastics or one that is in part made from bio-based materials. While not perfect, they’re definitely a more eco-friendly dog poop bag choice than the standard plastic poo bag and a great way to help reduce your pet’s carbon pawprint.
I hope you’ve found our list of The Best Eco-Friendly Dog Poop Bags useful and that you give some of these poop bags a try! If you want to know more about different ways to dispose of dog poop, check out our article The Best Way To Dispose Of Dog Poop.
Happy scooping friends!
