Did you know that only 9% of plastics are actually recycled? You may be wondering what happens to the other 91%. The truth is the rest either ends up on our landfills and finds its way into our oceans.
A huge culprit of this is plastic bags.
Traditional plastic bags are made out of ethylene, which doesn’t degrade naturally. Therefore, switching to organic or more eco-friendly options, especially when it comes to dog poop bags, is a much better alternative.
Dog owners are probably already aware of how many poop bags they go through, and some may even be conscious about the amount of plastic that requires!
Well, today, we’ve gathered up some more biodegradable alternatives that will help to ease your mind and benefit the environment, too.
Keep in mind that generally, biodegradable poop bags are usually way more expensive than regular ones. Plus, some of them aren’t actually as “biodegradable” as they claim. Some brands are actually “oxo-biodegradable,” which means that the bags will eventually break down, but not completely.
Fortunately, the dog poop bags that we’ve gathered in this guide meet the ASTM D6400 standard, meaning they meet the biodegradation test requirements and will fully break down.
So, read on to see the top Trash Backwards approved brands!
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#1 Doggy Do Good Biodegradable Poop Bags
The Doggy Do Good vegetable-based biodegradable poops bags are pretty great for numerous reasons.
These biodegradable bags are made out of cornstarch and other eco-friendly ingredients, which will break down in 90 days or less. The bags are also compostable, which is good news if you already own a compost bin (check out the best kitchen compost bins).
Additionally, many reviews claim that the bags are durable and thick, and some customers even use them for kitty litter. I also like that everything about the Doggy Do Good bags, down to the packaging, is recyclable, with no unnecessary plastic in sight!
Plus, the bags hold an ASTM D6400 certification – meaning that they are fully biodegradable.
Pros
- ASTM D6400 certified
- Plenty of positive reviews
- Extra thick
Cons
- A little expensive
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#2 My AlphaPet Poop Bags (Scented Pink or Red)
If you want something that will help cover up the smell of dog poop, you may like the My AlphaPet poop bags.
The bags are pleasantly fragranced using only organic rose scents, and the bags come in either pink or red color options.
During our search we found that most scented alternatives weren’t fully biodegradable, but not the AlphaPet bag. These are both ASTM D6400 certified, and they smell good!
The bags are made out of cornstarch and are totally compostable.
They won’t tear in your hands either since they have a 20-micron thickness, which is pretty durable.
Some customers found the smell a little too “fragrant” – but it beats dog poop, right?
Pros
- 20 microns thick
- Fragranced
- Different color options
- Compostable
Cons
- Scent can be a little too overwhelming
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#3 My AlphaPet Dog Poop Bags with Bamboo Dispenser
The AlphaPet Dog poop bags also include a handy bamboo dispenser.
Like the other bags we mentioned today, the AlphaPet dog poop bags are eco-friendly and biodegradable. They come with the ASTM D6400 certification, so you can rest assured they are truly compostable.
The bamboo dispenser is also a handy addition, and it can hold a 15-bag roll at a time. However, the bamboo holder is only 70% percent biodegradable – but it’s still a much better alternative to plastic!
The bags themselves are fragrance-free and come in a lime green color tone. They measure at 9 x 13 inches and are thick enough to create extra layers between your hand and your dog’s poop.
Pros
- 18 microns thick
- Comes with a dispenser
- ASTM D6400 certified
Cons
- Bamboo dispenser isn’t fully biodegradable
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#4 UNNI Compostable Trash Bags
The UNNI compostable bags are kind of great for everything.
Whether you have a huge dog or deal with a ton of kitty litter, or you want to switch your household bin bags for a more eco-friendly swap, the UNNI bags are a one size fits all option.
The bags are available in sizes as big as 65 gallons or even 2.6 gallons, ideal as dog poop bags.
The UNNI compostable bags aren’t as thick as most of its competitors, and they’re a little see-through. However, they still remain very durable! Just don’t let them sit around for longer than a day or two as they will begin to break down.
Pros
- ASTM D6400 certified
- Available in a variety of sizes
- Multi-purpose
Cons
- Only 18 microns thick
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#5 Planet Poop Compostable Dog Poop Bags
The Planet Poop compostable dog poop bags come with extra long handles for those of you who have trouble with tying the knot!.
You’ll get 60 bags measuring at 9″ x 16″ in a convenient roll form – which is easy to stash in your pocket.
Plus, the bags are 100% compostable since they are made from eco-friendly materials like cornstarch and are an extra 20 microns thick – making them highly durable.
Pros
- 20 microns thick
- ASTM D6400 certified
- Measuring at 9″ x 16″
Cons
- The roll may not fit into some dispensers
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#6 Doodie Flush Dog Poop Bags
Have you heard of water-soluble poo bags? The Doodie Flush dog poop bags are ideal if you have limited access to outdoor space since they can simply be flushed down the toilet after!
Just be sure to check with your sewage plant first, as you don’t want any accidents after.
These Doodie Flush bags are a way better alternative than using toilet paper. Since the bags are made out of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), this means they’ll dissolve in minutes once in contact with water.
Pros
- ASTM D6400 certified
- Water-soluble
- Measuring at 8.5″ x 10.5″
Cons
- Doesn’t suit all toilet systems
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
#7 BARK Poop Bags
Last but not least, we have the BARK Poop bags.
We left it at the last alternative because they aren’t compostable, but they sure are cute! The dog poops bags come with an ASTM D6954 certification, meaning that they are oxo-biodegradable and won’t degrade fully.
Of course, they are a still better alternative than regular plastic bags, and they come with cute phrases that make them almost Instagram-worthy!
The dog poop bags come in a box of 20 rolls, totaling 300 bags, and they are pretty sturdy too – which is great!
While we recommend switching to 100% biodegradable bags in the future, the BARK poop bags are a great and stylish stepping stone in that direction!
Pros
- Sturdy
- 6.38 x 2.56 x 5.04 inches
- 300 Count
- Cute
Cons
- Not entirely biodegradable
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What did you think of the biodegradable dog poop bag option we listed? Do you use any of them? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and thanks for reading!
Also, check out our take on 10 Eco-Friendly Zero Waste Dog Toys That Won’t Hurt The Planet.
Anna Miller is a content manager at TrashBackwards. She’s passionate about living a zero-waste lifestyle. Anna has been writing about eco-friendly tips for years now, and she’s got some great ideas on how you can go plastic-free! She loves sharing her knowledge about eco-lifestyle with others. Her articles are always witty and insightful! Shoot her a message if you’ve got any questions about how you can start going green.
