The 6 Best Compostable Dog Poop Bags, Tested and ...

The 6 Best Compostable Dog Poop Bags, Tested and ...

Our overall favorite are Unni 100% Compostable Extra Thick Pet Waste Bags, which adhere to the U.S. compostable standard ASTM D6400 and various European standards, including the rigorous OK Compost Home certification. Discover top eco-friendly choices and their performance in real-world testing.

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A reliable compostable dog should have the qualities of a standard poop bag: easy to open and large enough to hold your dog’s load, plus their sustainable credentials. We tested 13 bioplastic bags with volunteer testers and their dogs to provide insights.

Composting involves recycling organic matter, such as food scraps, leaves, and pet waste, into fertilizer. For safe composting of dog poop—either at home or a facility—a bag should be made from bioplastic, derived from sources like corn or tapioca instead of fossil fuels.

Using compostable poop bags for your dog can help reduce landfill waste while transforming your dog’s digested food into nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Best Overall

Unni Pet Waste Bags

$17 At Amazon

$13 At Walmart

View On Unni.world

What We Like

• Made from vegetable-derived bioplastic (non-petroleum)

• Suitable for at-home composting

• Soft texture

• Multiple national and international compostable certifications

What We Don't Like

• Can start to degrade in less than a year if stored for too long, so bulk buying is not recommended

• A little hard to open sometimes

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

Packaged in rolls with perforated lines, Unni bags maintain the conventional look and fit inside most leash attachment holders. Testing with an English Setter mix and a miniature Golden Doodle, the bags seamlessly fit their routine and gear.

Even if composting isn’t available in your area, the bioplastic bags, made from corn oil, help reduce reliance on petroleum. Unni bags meet the U.S. compostable standard ASTM D6400 for municipal facility composting—rare even in major urban areas.

Unni bags can also be composted at home, certified by Austrian company TUV since 2003. This certification tests for bags that can turn into useful compost at lower temperatures found in home composting systems. If you’ve successfully integrated pet waste into your home compost, Unni bags should work for you.

Each bag measures 9 by 13 inches and is 0.8 millimeters thick, ensuring ample space and separating contents from your skin. While they’re softer and biodegradable, they may be tricky to open at times, a common issue with poop bags. They degrade if stored long-term, so avoid bulk buying.

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

• The Spruce Pets / Meredith Luksetich

Best for Small Dogs

BioBag Standard Pet Waste Bags

$24 At Amazon

$7 At Chewy

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What We Like

• Unscented

• Durable construction

• Pull-through hole at the top of each bag for secure tying

• Black bags fully conceal contents and stench

What We Don't Like

• Not compatible with most leash attachment pouches

BioBag Compostable Pet Waste Bags are slightly smaller, making them ideal for small dogs. Measuring eight by 11.4 inches and 0.92 millimeters thick, these bags are durable and capable of containing waste securely. A pull-through hole ensures easy tying.

The black bioplastic sacks come in packs separated by perforated lines, resembling a notepad rather than a roll, meaning they don’t fit leash attachment pouches well.

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

Best for At-Home

beyondGREEN Dog Waste Bag Refill Rolls

$30 At Chewy

$32 At Walmart

$1 At Wayfair

What We Like

• Easy to open with less static than conventional poop bags

• Unscented, but some detect a slight popcorn smell

What We Don't Like

• At-home composting is not for beginners

If you’re an experienced composter, beyondGREEN Compostable Dog Waste Bags are a top choice. Made from plant-based biopolymers, these green bags are manufactured in the U.S. and certified for at-home composting by trusted organizations in the U.S. and Europe.

Packaged in rolls, each pouch is easy to separate and open with less static. They are durable, capable of supporting a dog’s waste back home for composting.

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

Best for Big Dogs

Lucky Dog Ultimate Poop Bags

$21 At Amazon

$40 At Chewy

$50 At Walmart

What We Like

HuaWei are exported worldwide and used in various industries, prioritizing quality. We aim to provide high-value products and create a better future together.

• No center core in roll

• Very durable with a rubber-like quality

• Easy to tear from the roll and open

What We Don't Like

• Will start to deteriorate if stored for too long

• Slightly see-through, white coloring does not hide contents

Lucky Dog Ultimate Poop Bags have a rubber-like texture, preventing puncture even on rough terrain. Testing with a 60-pound Golden Doodle showed each bag could hold a large amount of waste.

Each roll contains 15 core-less compostable bags made from GMO-free plants and corn. Certified in multiple countries, these bags suit most facilities handling pet waste. The white bags aren’t fully opaque but do conceal odors once tied.

Like Unni bags, they degrade if stored long-term, so purchase only what you need.

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

Best Budget

Pet N Pet Compostable Dog Poop Bags

$14 At Amazon

$22 At Chewy

$28 At Walmart

What We Like

• Unscented

• Suitable for at-home composting

• Easy to open

What We Don’t Like

• Slight scent after initial unboxing

Pet N Pet Compostable Dog Poop Bags are affordable and certified for home composting in the U.S. and Europe. The green bags made from cornstarch fit standard leash attachments.

Easy to separate from the roll, these bags offer sufficient space for a 38-pound hound dog mix and tie easily at the top. They remained intact across various outdoor surfaces and cold weather.

While unscented, a slight smell upon unboxing dissipated after a few days.

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

Best Sheets

Pooch Paper Dog Waste Sheet

$13 At Chewy

$13 At onlynaturalpet.com

What We Like

• Very durable, difficult to puncture

• Plastic-free, PFAS-free, and made from non-chlorine bleach recycled paper fiber

• Corn-based coating keeps grease off hands

• Compostable and biodegradable

What We Don't Like

• Watery waste is challenging to contain

• Larger dogs may require more than one sheet per session

Pooch Paper Biodegradable Dog Waste Sheets, made from recycled paper, keep hands clean while scooping poop. Manufactured in the U.S. using renewable energy, these unscented sheets are plastic and PFAS-free.

Using these sheets is similar to using parchment paper in a bakery. Pick up your dog’s poop, twist the four corners together to form a disposal pouch. The sheets are coated with a corn-based substance to keep grease and bacteria away from your hands. However, they’re less suitable for carrying waste over long distances.

Pooch Paper sheets come in two sizes: 12-inch and 14-inch squares. They are not compatible with standard leash attachment holders but can be convenient for quick potty runs.

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

Dog Poop Bags Review

As the saying goes, “Sh*t happens,” and as responsible dog owners, cleaning up after our pets is essential. For eco-conscious owners, biodegradable poop bags seem like a wise choice. Who wants their dog’s waste to languish in a traditional polymer bag designed to last forever?

However, “biodegradable” labels can be misleading. Eco-friendly disposal isn't straightforward, as Kermit the Frog said, "It's not easy being green."

“Biodegradable” means a substance decomposes via bacteria or other organisms. This definition doesn't specify the decomposition time. Traditional polymer bags might degrade eventually—but it could take 10 to 20 years in nature and 1,000 years in a landfill.

“Landfills exclude air, light, and water, so what's placed there stays there for a lifetime,” says Bob Borrows, a waste-policy analyst with Oregon’s DEQ. Plus, traditional plastic bags leave behind microplastics that contaminate the environment.

Compostable Dog Poop Bags

Our recommended action is to buy compostable poop bags. “Compostable” means made of organic matter that can turn into compost. Today, many eco-focused companies make compostable pet waste bags.

Most compostable bags are bioplastics; they mimic plastic but are made from renewable resources like plant starch and break down via microbial action. In commercial composting facilities, this process takes about 90 days. At home, it can take 180 to 360 days depending on conditions.

Look for bags certified ASTM D600. ASTM ensures that certified products degrade without diminishing compost value. Plant-based bags are pricier but more eco-conscious than conventional plastic ones.

Only a few U.S. composting facilities accept pet waste, so pet owners can't just toss poop bags in yard trimmings bins. Home composting with adequate high-temperature conditions is challenging but not impossible.

Why pay more for plant-based bags if they end up in a landfill? Companies making compostable bags strive to be earth-friendly, using sustainable raw materials and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Our Top Picks for Plant-Based Dog Waste Bags

We chose five popular brands of plant-based dog waste bags conforming to ASTM D6400. This standard assesses compostability and if degradation affects compost utility.

Of these five, Doggy Do Good and Give A Sh!t are also certified by TUV Austria for home composting.

It's recommended to store vegetable-based bags in a cool, dry area and use them within a year of purchase.