As responsible pet owners, we all want to clean up our pet’s poop when we walk our dogs and keep the environment clean. And “biodegradable dog poop bags” seem to be a perfect solution, both convenient and environmentally friendly. But is it really so?
This article will take a deep dive into the decomposition process of biodegradable dog poop bags, the best way to dispose of them, and expose some marketing traps to help you make a more informed choice.
Compared with ordinary plastic bags or biodegradable bags, dog poop bags have their own special features in terms of composition, thickness, and purpose. Most biodegradable dog poop bags are made of PBAT (polybutylene adipate/terephthalate), PLA (polylactic acid), or a mixture of the two. They are usually thicker than shopping bags to ensure strength and prevent rupture. The most critical difference is that they contain pet feces, which significantly changes the decomposition environment.
Compostable dog poop bags: These bags are designed to decompose in a composting environment, usually in an industrial composting facility.
Biodegradable dog poop bags: These bags are designed to decompose in a variety of environments, but the rate of decomposition may vary depending on the conditions.
Effects of Pet Excrement
Microbial community: Dog feces carry a large number of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, etc., which can affect the microbial balance in soil or compost. Some bacteria may help decomposition, but others may be harmful pathogens.
Chemical composition: Feces contain elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and other organic matter, which are released during decomposition and affect the nutrient cycle and pH value of the soil. Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus may cause eutrophication of water bodies.
pH value: The acidity and alkalinity of feces affect the activity of enzymes and the growth of surrounding microorganisms. An overly acidic or alkaline environment is not conducive to the decomposition activities of microorganisms.
How Long Do Biodegradable Dog Poop Bags Take to Decompose
Orizon’s biodegradable dog poop bag is 18 microns thick, less than a third of a meter, and under the favorable decomposition conditions of nature in Hamburg’s spring, only partial knots remained after only 12 weeks. Biodegradable bags (decompose in about three months).
Aerobic degradation: In an aerobic environment, such as a composting pile, organic matter in the feces is broken down by microorganisms into carbon dioxide, water, and humus. This process requires sufficient oxygen, appropriate temperature and humidity, and an active microbial community.
Anaerobic degradation: In an oxygen-deficient environment, such as a landfill, dog bags cannot effectively decompose aerobically. Organic matter in feces decomposes anaerobically, producing harmful gases such as methane and hydrogen sulfide, which exacerbate the greenhouse effect and air pollution.
How to Dispose of Dog Poop Bags
Industrial composting: This is the best way to dispose of dog bags. Industrial composting facilities are able to provide high temperature, high humidity, sufficient oxygen, and abundant microorganisms to accelerate the decomposition of dog bags and feces. However, not all municipal composting facilities accept pet feces, so it is necessary to consult in advance.
Home composting: It is less feasible to compost dog bags at home because the temperature and humidity of home composting are usually not enough to kill pathogens in feces. If you choose home composting, you must use professional composting bins and strictly control the composting conditions.
Avoid littering: The worst practice is to discard dog bags randomly in natural environments such as roadsides and grasslands. This is not only unsightly, but also causes serious environmental pollution because dog bags are difficult to completely decompose under natural conditions.
Flushing down the toilet: Some dog owners choose to remove the poop from the bag and flush it down the toilet. While this avoids the problem of plastic bags, untreated pet poop can add to the burden on sewage systems.
Landfill without composting: Even biodegradable dog poop bags take a long time to break down in a landfill. In an oxygen-depleted environment, they can remain like traditional plastics for decades.
How to Choose the Right Dog Poop Bag Manufacturers
Check certifications: Give priority to dog poop bag products that have passed international certifications such as ASTM D6400. These certifications indicate that the product has been rigorously tested and meets specific compostable or biodegradable standards.
Pay attention to ingredients: Read the product description carefully to understand the ingredients of the dog poop bag. Avoid products with vague ingredients or harmful additives.
Be rational about the promotion: Don’t believe the exaggerated promotion of the product’s decomposition speed. The actual decomposition time depends on many factors, including environmental conditions, handling methods, etc.
Embrace sustainability
Reusable tools: Using a shovel and reusable containers to clean up pet waste can completely avoid single-use plastic bags.
Pet-friendly toilets: Pet-friendly toilets are designed to connect directly to your home’s sewer line.
Conclusion:
Biodegradable dog poop bags are not a one-size-fits-all environmental solution. They can decompose under certain conditions, but if they are not handled properly, they will also cause pollution to the environment. As responsible pet owners, we should fully understand the characteristics of biodegradable dog poop bags, choose the right products, and take the right approach to disposal. More importantly, we should actively explore more sustainable pet feces disposal methods to contribute to protecting the environment.
