Poo-poo bags!

As you all know, never leave home without them! They are an essential! Mum makes sure she has a stash of poo bags in every handbag, every tote bag, every pocket of every coat. These days, along with her face masks.

But recently, she finally found a poo bag holder that was a perfect match for our Oonalfie leads and collars. So whenever we go out for walkies, this little guy comes with us!

This poo bag holder is one of Anya Hindmarch’s latest accessory. It is made from recycled nylon and lightweight, and clips onto our lead, Mum’s handbags or even belt!

We need to give him a name. What should we call him?

Now, the question is, which type of poo bags should we use?

May’s comment: Our friend, Belinda had done an overview of the different types of poo bags in the market and we have asked her to share her findings.

We are all trying to make lifestyle changes that are kinder to the planet and as dog owners there are simple steps we can take to lessen our carbon paw prints. Changing the type of poo bag used is an easy way to start your eco-friendly journey. The problem with making a change to a eco friendly alternative is knowing that what you purchase is indeed sustainable and green. The various types of bags available can be confusing so let’s try and explain what the terms mean.

Degradable / Oxo-degradable – this is normal plastic with a chemical additive.  The additive makes it fragment into microplastics BUT it cannot break down at the molecular level like biodegradable and compostable plastics. When plastics don’t or can’t degrade, they can easily end up back in the environment and end up in products we use and eat.

Biodegradable – would eventually break down into smaller and smaller pieces naturally. The problem is once a poo bag has degraded, it releases micro-plastics into the environment which can have further impact on the environment.

Compostable means that the product is made of organic material (usually cornstarch), and so it will degrade completely, usually in a matter of between three and six months in the right conditions. These bags break down naturally, but without leaving behind micro- plastics. Composting your pooch’s poop in your backyard can produce nutrient-rich soil which is perfect for growing non-food plants BUT don’t use it for edible plants because pathogens could remain.

In an ideal world, our compostable poo bags would be composted and you can do this at home, in a dedicated compost bin for poo, or in a wormery. But even if you are putting your compostable poo bag into the poo bin at the local park, they are still a far better alternative to plastic bags.

When they make their way to be incinerated, they won’t be releasing the same toxic fumes as the alternative plastic products, so there is still a benefit.And if they go into a landfill, they decompose naturally. So make the change to a compostable poo bag – it will be a small easy change that will have a positive effect on the environment.

The Scoop: We test drove compostable bags available in the UK …

Beco Compostable Poop Bags : Corn starch based 

• Strong 
• Leak proof 
• They feel light but are remarkably thick 
• Unscented or Mint scented

• Only one size 
• Slightly transparent 
• No handles 

• Percentage of profits donated to 1% For the Planet 

Fetch-it : GM free corn starch based 

• Very strong and thick
• Leak proof 
• Handles available to tie easily 
• Unscented
• Different sizes available – regular, mini and tie-handle
• A percentage of sales is donated to either Surfers Against Sewage, Underdog International or Moor Trees 

Adios Poop Bags : Corn starch based bag

• Strong 
• Easy to tie 
• Different sizes 
• With or without handles
• Range of colours and seasonal vibes depending on product selection
• A percentage of profits is donated to 1% For The Planet 

The Green Poop bag : Corn starch and sugar based 

• Strong 
• Handles make it easy to tie 
• Different sizes – XL and universal
• Donate a percentage of profits to Friends of the Earth 
• Won prestigious Environmental award 

And of course there’s a whole selection of poo bags holders in the market! That requires a whole new blog but we love having this little guy. Anya Hindmarch’s latest accessory, a dog poo bag holder is not just cute, light and a perfect size (14cm x 9cm x 6cm) but he is made from recycled nylon – ties in with us all doing our part for saving the planet.

This charm can be clipped onto a leash, a coat or bag for ease of access. Insert your own poo bags from the base of the dog. Makes a fab Christmas gift!

We were lucky to have been gifted this.