Biodegradable Bags

Finding eco-friendly bags like biodegradable or compostable ones is tricky because of the amount of green washing and regulations involved. Biodegradable means that the bags will break down into natural, natural substances over time. However, the term "biodegradable" can be somewhat misleading. Biodegradable bags are still made with factory processes that burn fossil fuels and release Co2, some break down and leave behind microplastics, some only break down in very specific conditions (which aren’t the conditions found in commercial landfills or recycling plants) and some aren’t biodegradable at all — it is a complete lie!  If you’re aware of all these things and know what things to look out for, you can find bags that have certifications which guarantee that the bags meet established standards for biodegradability. You can also check the composition of the bags and choose bags made with renewable, plant-based materials. Also find carbon neutral or carbon offset products. Look also at the packaging the bags come in, to look for recycled or recyclable cardboard or biodegradable packaging, to minimise waste.

Compostable Bags

 If you can’t find biodegradable bags, you can also try compostable bags. In an ideal world, you could nurture your garden with both plant-based materials and your pet’s waste. Compostable bags are typically made from plant-based materials, such as cornstarch or sugarcane, and can be composted along with your pet's waste in a designated composting system, whether at home or in a commercial facility. The tricky thing is, just like biodegradable bags, composting can be complicated or can be an outright lie. When choosing compostable bags, make sure they are certified as "home compostable" or "commercial compostable" to ensure they meet specific decomposition criteria. Products with the codes AS 5810-2010 and AS 4736-2006 are certified to be composted at home or in an industrial facility respectively (2010 at home and 2006 in a facility). Once again, it is good to look out for the kind of materials being used and the efforts of the company to reduce their impact. 

If you’re not interested in purchasing either of these products, which can sometimes be inaccessible or expensive, there are other ways to reduce your footprint including recycling old products. If you’re clever you can find ways to use leftover packaging, newspapers, old bags, envelopes, cardboard and paper.