As responsible pet owners, it's important to pick up after our furry friends when we take them for walks or to the park. However, the type of bag we use to pick up their waste can have a significant impact on the environment. While plastic dog poo bags are a common choice, they have a detrimental effect on the environment, and compostable dog poo bags are a much better choice.

Pictured above: Animals in Charge Compostable Dog Poo Bags Being Placed Inside a Holder.

Why You Should Always Choose Compostable Dog Poo Bags

1. Plastic bags take hundreds of years to decompose: Plastic dog poo bags can take anywhere from 10 to 1000 years to decompose, which means they'll be sitting in landfills or polluting the environment for a long time. This can harm wildlife and the ecosystem and can also contribute to climate change.
2. Compostable bags break down quickly: Compostable dog poo bags, on the other hand, are made from plant-based materials and are designed to break down quickly and naturally. In most cases, they'll decompose within a few months, leaving behind nutrient-rich soil that can be used for gardening or landscaping.
3. They reduce our dependence on fossil fuels: Plastic bags are made from non-renewable fossil fuels, which means they contribute to our reliance on these limited resources. Compostable bags, on the other hand, are made from renewable resources, such as corn starch, which means they're a more sustainable choice.
4. They can be used for composting: Compostable dog poo bags are designed to be used for composting, which means you can dispose of them in your compost bin along with your other organic waste. This not only reduces the amount of waste going to landfills but also creates nutrient-rich compost that can be used to fertilize plants.
5. They're just as effective: Compostable dog poo bags are just as effective at picking up your dog's waste as plastic bags. They're strong, durable, and leak-proof, so you don't have to worry about any messes.

The Role of Corn Starch in Compostable Dog Poo Bags

Most compostable products utilise a natural polymer base. At Animals in Charge, we use Corn Starch as that natural polymer in our compostable poo bags.

Here are some of the reasons why corn starch is great when used in compostable packaging:

1. Biodegradability: Corn starch is a biodegradable material, which means that it can be broken down naturally by microorganisms into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. This makes it an ideal material for use in compostable packaging, which can be composted at the end of its life cycle.
2. Renewable resource: Corn starch is made from corn, which is a renewable resource. This means that it can be grown and harvested repeatedly without depleting natural resources, unlike non-renewable resources like fossil fuels.
3. Non-toxic: Corn starch is a non-toxic material, which means that it does not release harmful chemicals or pollutants into the environment. This makes it safe for use in food packaging and other applications that require non-toxic materials.
4. Versatile: Corn starch can be processed into a wide variety of shapes and sizes, making it a versatile material for use in packaging. It can be molded into different forms, such as bags, containers, and trays, and can be used for food and non-food applications.
5. Cost-effective: Corn starch is a cost-effective material for use in compostable packaging, as it is abundant and readily available. This makes it an attractive alternative to non-compostable materials that are expensive and non-renewable, and helps us to bridge the price gap between non-compostable poo bags, and compostable poo bags.

Compostable dog poo bags are a better choice than plastic dog poo bags for several reasons. They break down quickly, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, can be used for composting, and are just as effective as plastic bags. So, the next time you're out walking your furry friend, consider making the easy switch to compostable dog poo bags and do your part for the environment.