We Tested 13 Compostable Dog Poop Bags And Found The Very Best (2024)

Our Top Picks

Combining a standard poop bag design with the most comprehensive composting certifications, the Unni 100% Compostable Extra Thick Pet Waste Bags are the best compostable dog poop bags for most people.

Packaged as rolls with easy-to-tear perforated lines separating each pouch, the Unni 100% Compostable Extra Thick Pet Waste Bags maintain the look and design of conventional dog poop bags, so they fit inside most leash attachment holders. While testing the bags on walks with an English Setter mix and a miniature Golden Doodle the compostable bags seamlessly fit into their existing routine and gear.

Even if composting is not an option in your area, the bioplastic bags are made from corn oil instead of fossil fuels, allowing you to divest from petroleum sources. Unni bags adhere to the U.S. compostable standard ASTM D6400 for composting in a municipal facility—a rare utility, even in major urban areas.

However, Unni poop bags can also be composted at home, according to the certification standards set by Austrian testing company TÜV, which established the OK Compost Home certification in 2003, setting standards that have shaped biodegradable plastic policies throughout Europe and in Australia. The certification tests for bags that can be turned into useful compost at the lower temperatures found in home compost systems. Composting pet waste comes with some unique challenges, but if you've safely incorporated pet waste into your home composting system, then Unni bags should work for you.

Each bag is 9 by 13 inches and 0.8 millimeters thick which provides ample space for your dog’s waste and will sufficiently separate the fresh contents inside from your skin. The durable bags feel softer than their polyethylene counterparts, but we found them to be slightly tricky to open at times–common among poop bags. Unlike, non-ethylene dog bags, these bags start to degrade if stored for too long (about a year), so we do not recommend buying in bulk.

_{Size: 9 x 13 inches | Material: Corn and plant starch-based plastic | Colors: Green}

BioBag Compostable Pet Waste Bags are slightly smaller than other compostable dog poop bags that made our list, so they are ideal for scooping up after little dogs who expend less matter during their potty sessions.

Each bag is eight by 11.4 inches providing sufficient space to hold waste, and 0.92 millimeters thick, so they are durable and capable of supporting the weight of dog poop. A pull-through hole at the top of the bag makes it easy to secure and knot the bag, fully concealing the contents and its associated aroma.

Similar to a notepad, these black bioplastic sacks come in packs connected at the top with a perforated line separating each pouch. Unlike conventional poop bags packaged in a roll, these bags aren’t designed to be carried in a leash attachment pouch so it’s not as seamless to swap the BioBags into an established walking routine.

_{Size: 8 x 11.4 inches | Material: Starches of plants, vegetable oils, and compostable polymers | Color: Black}

If you are an experienced composter in search of dog poop bags to facilitate the composting process–which is not easy, BeyondGreen Compostable Dog Waste Bags are our top pick.

These green-colored bags are manufactured in the United States and made out of plant-based biopolymers to fully decompose while composting. These BeyondGreen bags have certification from various trusted organizations in America and Europe to meet the standards for composting at home.

Packaged in rolls, each pouch is easy to separate, with less static than conventional plastic bags, so they open up without a struggle. They are sturdy and capable of supporting the weight of a dog’s poop all the way back home for composting.

_{Size: 9 x12 inches | Material: Plant-based biopolymers | Color: Green}

Lucky Dog Ultimate Poop Bags have a rubber-like texture designed to endure heavy loads and prevent puncture holes even when used on pointy outdoor terrain. During our testing period picking up after a 60-pound Golden Doodle, one bag was capable of holding a hefty amount of number two.

Each core-less roll contains 15 compostable bags made from GMO-free plants and corn. With biodegradability and composting certification in the United States, Canada, and Europe, these bags are suitable for most facilities where pet waste is accepted and processed. The bags are white but not completely opaque so there is no hiding what’s inside, but they do conceal the off-putting aroma of dog poop once securely tied in a knot.

Like our pick for Best Overall, Unni 100% Compostable Extra Thick Pet Waste Bags, these bags will begin to deteriorate if stored for a long period of time. We recommend purchasing the minimum amount of bags you need at a given time and refreshing your stash regularly throughout the year.

_{Size: 9 x 13 inches | Material: GMO-free plant-based resin | Color: White}

Pet N Pet Compostable Dog Poop Bags are priced affordably and certified for home composting in the United States and Europe. The green-colored bags are made from cornstarch and easily fit into a standard leash attachment.

Each bag is easy to separate from the roll along a perforated line, and we found them easier to open than other compostable bags we tested. The bags offered sufficient space for picking up after a 38-pound hound dog mix with extra slack to tie at the top. They remained intact across a variety of outdoor surfaces and cold weather conditions.

The bags are unscented but we noticed a slight scent after unboxing that dissipated after a few days.

_{Size: 9 x13 inches | Material: Cornstarch bio-based material | Color: Green}

Using previously-discarded, recycled paper, Pooch Paper Biodegradable Dog Waste Sheets are square-shaped sheets designed to keep hands clean while scooping poop. Made in the United States using renewable energy, the unscented sheets are completely free of plastic and PFAS-S—the manmade substances commonly referred to as "forever chemicals," which break into microplastics instead of decomposing.

Similar to using parchment paper to select a muffin at a bakery, you use each sheet to protect your hand while picking up poop. The unconventional shape might take some time to get used to, but they are easy to use once you get the hang of it. After you pick up your dog’s poop, the four corners come together and can be twisted shut, forming a pouch for disposal. The tan-colored sheets are coated with a corn-based substance to keep the grease and bacteria from your dog’s poop away from your hands. But even the twisted pouch can't keep these for leaking, so they're more appropriate for the dog park than carrying waste around for the rest of a walk.

Pooch Paper sheets come in two sizes: 12-inch squares and larger. While Pooch Paper sheets are easy to stash in a pocket before going on a walk, they're not compatible with standard leash poop bag holders. Instead, check out the Pooch Pouch if you're looking for a portable storage solution.

_{Size: 12 x 12 inches (regular); 14 x 14 inches (large) | Material: Recycled, unbleached paper | Color: Tan}

Final Verdict

Our top choice is the Unni 100% Compostable Extra Thick Pet Waste Bags, which can be composted at home and are made from corn-derived bioplastics instead of petroleum. We also really like Pooch Paper Biodegradable Dog Waste Sheets made out of bleach-free recycled paper and designed to deteriorate along with the doggie poop you scoop up. Even if you don’t plan to compost, both of these options are more environmentally friendly than traditional plastic poop bags.

FAQ

• Do compostable dog poop bags break down in a landfill?

  Typically not. While compostable bags are designed to break down under certain conditions, landfills don't often offer the necessary heat and oxygen for compostable bags to degrade. While our favorite compostable bags are made from non-petroleum sources—making them a more eco-friendly initial purchase—they'll act just like normal poop bags if thrown in the trash.

• Is it safe to use compost made from pet waste as fertilizer in a garden?

  Yes and no. The risk of spreading harmful bacteria in a garden where vegetables or fruits are grown is too high. Fertilizers made with composted pet waste can be used in ornamental gardens, but should never be used in a space with produce.
  "Dog waste compost can be used as a soil additive for revegetation, lawn establishment, and planting beds. It should not be used on crops grown for human consumption," the USDA states in their guidance.
  

• How do you dispose of compostable dog poop bags?

  If you use compostable bags, you can dispose of them at municipal facilities (if they accept dog waste) or compost them in a separate bin if they're suitable for home compost. There are also poop disposal symptoms that work as mini septic tanks. You bury them in the ground and then periodically add water and powdered enzymes to speed up the composting process.

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