Choosing Biodegradable Pet Waste Bags

I remember the moment it hit me. I was watching my dog, Buster, happily chase a ball in the park, and I did some quick, uncomfortable math. At two or three walks a day, we were using nearly a thousand little plastic bags every single year. That's a mountain of single-use plastic just for one dog. As someone trying to live more sustainably, that number felt completely out of sync with my values. It was a classic 'aha' moment, and I knew I had to find a better, more responsible way to handle his waste.

What 'biodegradable' really means for pet waste bags

My first step was to grab a box of bags labeled 'biodegradable' at the store, feeling pretty good about myself. But when I got home, I did some digging, and what I found was honestly a bit frustrating. The term 'biodegradable' can be incredibly misleading. While it technically means something can be broken down by microorganisms, the definition lacks a specific timeframe or set of conditions. In a modern, oxygen-deprived landfill, many so-called biodegradable plastics can take centuries to break down, if at all, sometimes leaving behind microplastics.

This led me to the key distinction: biodegradable vs. compostable. A product certified as 'compostable' must break down into natural elements in a composting environment within a specific timeframe, leaving no toxic residue behind. This was the standard I realized I should be aiming for.

My personal checklist for choosing better bags

After a lot of trial and error (and a few unfortunate bag-splitting incidents!), I developed a simple checklist that I now use to choose our waste bags. It's helped me cut through the greenwashing and find products I can trust.

Look for certifications

This is my number one rule. Vague claims like 'eco-friendly' or 'earth-friendly' don't mean much without proof. I specifically look for certifications on the box that prove the bags meet stringent standards for compostability. In the US, the key one is ASTM D6400. For my friends and readers in Europe, you'll want to look for the EN 13432 standard. These certifications guarantee the bags will break down properly in an industrial composting facility.

Check the material and feel

The best bags I've found are made from plant-based materials like cornstarch (often listed as PLA). They have a distinct silky, slightly softer feel compared to traditional plastic bags. From my experience, they need to be thick enough to be reliable. There is absolutely nothing worse than a bag failing at a critical moment. Don't be afraid to choose a slightly thicker bag if it means you'll never have to double-bag, which ultimately defeats the purpose.

Don't forget the packaging

I also look at the packaging itself. It’s a small detail, but it shows a company’s overall commitment. I always opt for brands that use a recycled cardboard box and a cardboard core for the roll of bags, rather than a plastic one. It all adds up.

The compostable conundrum: what to do with the bags

Here’s the tricky part. Even with certified compostable bags, you can't just toss them in your backyard compost heap that you use for your vegetable garden. Pet waste contains pathogens that can be harmful to humans. The best-case scenario is to find a local industrial composting facility that accepts pet waste. You can often find this information on your local municipality's website. If that's not an option, using a certified compostable bag is still, in my opinion, a better choice than using a traditional plastic bag, as it's made from renewable resources and is designed to break down under the right conditions, even if its end-of-life isn't perfect.

Switching to truly compostable bags was a small change in our daily routine, but it made a big difference to my peace of mind. It’s one less piece of petroleum-based plastic out in the world, and for me and Buster, that’s a step in the right direction.