Compostable dog poo bags: an Australian buyer's guide

Every dog owner gets through a lot of poo bags. Switching to a compostable one is one of the easiest swaps you can make, as long as you know what to look for. Here's a quick guide to choosing a bag that does the job on the walk, and doesn't leave conventional plastic behind.

Our Puppy Waste Bag comes in packs of 90 bags for $14.95, and it's certified home compostable (TÜV Austria OK compost HOME).

1. Check the certification

This is the most important thing on the pack. "Biodegradable", "eco" and "plant-based" aren't compostability standards. Look for a named certification instead:

• AS 5810 is the Australian standard for home compostable products.
• TÜV Austria OK compost HOME is an international home compostable certification.
• AS 4736 is the Australian standard for commercial (industrial) compostable products.

Home compostable certification means the bag has been tested to break down in the cooler conditions of a home system, not just in a commercial facility. Our guide to home compostable vs industrial explains the difference.

Avoid oxo-degradable bags. They're conventional plastic with additives that make them break into smaller pieces, and they don't compost.

2. Make sure it's strong enough

A poo bag has one job, and it has to do it every time. When you're comparing bags:

• Size: pick a bag big enough for your dog. Bigger dogs need roomier bags.
• Thickness and feel: the bag should feel sturdy enough that you're not worried about your fingers going through it.
• Easy to open and tie: you'll often be doing this one-handed with a lead in the other.
• Dispenser fit: check the roll fits the holder on your lead.

Try a bag at home before your first long walk with a new roll. A quick open, fill and tie test (with something like a handful of rice) tells you a lot.

3. Store bags properly

Compostable bags are designed to break down, so storage matters. Keep spare rolls somewhere cool and dry, not in the car glovebox or a hot shed, and use older rolls first. Our shelf life guide has more.

4. Have a disposal plan

Dog poo carries pathogens, so it needs more care than food scraps.

• Home compost: only where your compost setup and your council's guidance allow pet waste. Use a separate system just for pet waste, and never use the compost on edible plants.
• Council FOGO bin: most councils don't accept pet waste in the green bin, whatever bag it's in. Check your council's rules.
• General waste: if home composting isn't an option, follow your council's guidance for the general bin.

Our guide to disposing of dog poo without plastic goes into more detail.

Your quick checklist

• A named home compostable certification (AS 5810 or OK compost HOME)?
• Big and sturdy enough for your dog?
• Fits your lead dispenser?
• Somewhere cool and dry to store spare rolls?
• A disposal plan that fits your home and your council's rules?

ZERO's Puppy Waste Bag

Our Puppy Waste Bag is certified home compostable (TÜV Austria OK compost HOME), and comes in packs of 90 bags for $14.95. Clip a roll to the lead, and you're sorted.

Got a little one at home as well as a pup? Our Nappy Waste Bag is certified home compostable too, also 90 bags for $14.95.

How many bags will you need?

Do the maths for your own dog. One dog, two walks a day, one bag per walk is about 60 bags a month, so a 90-bag pack lasts roughly six weeks. Two dogs, or a dog who likes to go more than once a walk, and you'll get through them faster.

That's worth knowing for two reasons. It tells you how many packs to keep on hand, and it helps you avoid storing more than you'll use while it's still in good condition. Buy what you'll get through, keep spares somewhere cool and dry, and use the oldest roll first.

Home compostable or industrial: which matters more for poo bags?

For dog poo bags, home compostable certification gives you the most flexibility. Most councils don't take pet waste in the FOGO bin, so an industrial-only bag has few places to go where it can actually be composted. A home compostable bag can go into a separate pet waste compost wherever your setup and council guidance allow it. And if it goes in the general bin, you still haven't added conventional plastic film.

A few habits that help on the walk

• Keep a spare roll in the car or your bag so you're never caught short.
• Tie the bag off straight away to contain smell.
• Use the nearest appropriate bin rather than carrying a bag for the whole walk, or bring a small lidded container if you're taking it home to compost.

FAQ

Are compostable dog poo bags better than plastic ones?

A certified compostable bag is designed to break down fully in compost, while conventional plastic persists. Choose a home compostable bag and a disposal method that suits your setup and council.

Can I put dog poo bags in my green bin?

Most councils don't accept pet waste in the FOGO bin. Check your council's rules.

Is ZERO's Puppy Waste Bag home compostable?

Yes, it's certified home compostable (TÜV Austria OK compost HOME).

Can I compost dog poo at home?

Only where your compost setup and your council's guidance allow it. Keep it in a separate system and never use the compost on food plants.