I grew up with many rescue dogs. We’d run through the woods, they wood poop and we would keep going. But I grew up in the country, with rolling hills and woodlands. The perfect place to let dog poop break down naturally under the feet of dung beetles and blow flies.

Fast forward 20 years and I am in one of the largest cities in the U.S. On a regular basis I see poop bags tossed to the side of the path and wonder. Are dog walkers planning to come back to pick these up, or is that just what they tell themselves?

If the latter it is honestly better for the environment to not even use a poop bag — because let’s be frank those compostable ones don’t actually break down, unless tossed in a waste facility with very specific conditions.

Myth #1: Poop Bags are Hygienic Heroes

While collecting waste prevents unsightly messes and potential parasite transmission, the myth of absolute hygiene ignores the bigger picture.

Traditional plastic poop bags often end up in landfills, contributing to plastic pollution and microplastics entering the environment.

Additionally, some biodegradable bags don't truly biodegrade under landfill conditions, releasing harmful methane instead.

Myth #2: Leaving It in the Grass is Nature's Fertilizer

While dog waste does contain nutrients, it also harbors harmful bacteria and parasites like roundworms and hookworms. Each gram of dog waste contains 23 million fecal coliform bacteria.

It also contains nutrients like nitrogen, which can lead to excess algae in rivers and lakes. When the alga dies, it decomposes and takes up all the oxygen in the water. Sadly, the same algal blooms that dog poop contributes to can become a toxic mess — leading to health issues for your dog.

New advances in science have shown us the impacts of faraway poop. Scientists are able to use a technique called “microbial source tracking” to determine the source of the bacteria from a water body, and sure enough, dogs have often been identified as the culprit. When I worked on watershed monitoring in Baltimore City, we could track dog poop waste in a creek miles upstream to the specific yard it came from. 1984, here we are.

Myth #3: Composting is the Magic Answer

Composting dog waste can be a sustainable solution, but it's not as straightforward as it seems. Most municipal composting facilities don't accept pet waste due to hygiene concerns.

Home composting requires specific procedures and careful handling to ensure proper breakdown and prevent contamination. Sadly many items labelled “compostable” cannot be composted at home.

Certainly, dog poop could be composted using special digesters, but most city or county compost made from yard waste collections do not reach a high enough temperature during composting to kill off the fecal bacteria and pathogens.

Sustainable Scooping Solutions

Instead of clinging to myths, let's explore these eco-friendly alternatives:

Use paper bags. You don’t need a poop bag to last very long, so double bag a paper sandwich bag. Paper breaks down easily and is a sustainable source of materials. Make sure you look for paper bags that don’t have plastic liners, because these won’t break down so easily.

Invest in a poop scooper and dispose of waste responsibly: Use a metal or bamboo scooper and dispose of waste in a designated bin lined with compostable or biodegradable bags certified for home composting facilities.

Support dog waste disposal stations: Advocate for well-maintained stations with compostable bags or designated waste disposal areas in parks and public spaces.

Explore emerging technologies: Biogas digesters and dehydration systems offer innovative solutions for converting dog waste into energy or fertilizer, but their availability and accessibility may vary. Tell your local waste company about them.

Advocate for systemic change: Lobby for regulations requiring pet waste disposal and support research and development of sustainable waste management solutions.

Ranking Dog Poop Bags as a Sustainability Solution

Accuracy: The claim that dog poop bags are the most hygienic or sustainable solution for dog waste disposal is inaccurate. While they offer convenience, they often contribute to plastic pollution or methane emissions in landfills.

Ease of implementation: Using traditional plastic bags is readily available but not the most eco-friendly option. Implementing alternatives like scooping and responsible disposal requires a shift in mindset and potentially investment in a scooper.

Cost: Traditional plastic bags are generally the cheapest option, while compostable bags or biodegradable bags certified for home composting can be more expensive. Investing in a scooper adds an initial cost but can be cost-effective in the long run.

Ethics: Responsible disposal of dog waste through designated bins or home composting minimizes environmental and health risks associated with leaving waste in the open.

Impact on climate change: Choosing biodegradable bags certified for home composting or opting for scooping and responsible disposal can significantly reduce plastic pollution and methane emissions compared to traditional plastic bags ending up in landfills.