When it comes to caring for our cats and dogs, most of us pet parents are diligent about our daily routines —walking the dog, scooping the litter boxes, and keeping our homes (and neighborhoods) tidy. But what happens to all this pet waste once it’s tossed away? The answer has big implications for our environment, from local water quality to the global issue of plastic pollution. In honor of Earth Day, which is celebrated annually on April 22nd, today I’m discussing a brand of truly landfill-biodegradable poop bags and how they minimize our pets’ significant impact on Planet Earth. Read this before you spend another dollar on “earth-friendly” poop bags!
The Environmental Problem with Pet Waste
It may seem harmless, but dog poop and cat litter box waste create significant environmental challenges. In the U.S. alone, dogs produce an estimated 11 million tons of waste each year. Cat owners contribute millions more pounds of soiled litter. If not managed properly, this waste becomes more than just a smelly annoyance. Following are the concerns associated with these types of pet waste:
- Waterway Pollution: When dog poop is left on the ground, rain can wash bacteria like E. coli and parasites from the waste into storm drains, rivers, and lakes. This contaminates water supplies and can harm human health, wildlife, and delicate aquatic ecosystems
- Methane Production: Both dog poop and cat litter waste, when sent to landfills, generate methane—a potent greenhouse gas—during decomposition.
- Plastic Bag Waste: The majority of pet owners use plastic bags to pick up after their pets. Standard plastic bags can take hundreds of years to break down in a landfill (if they ever do!), adding to the global plastic pollution problem and leaching microplastics into the environment.
Why Traditional Poop Bags Fall Short
While most of us understand the importance of picking up dog food and discarding litter waste, the bags we use matter a lot more than we may think.
Many bags labeled “biodegradable” or “compostable” break down only in perfect conditions. Biodegradable bags need sunlight to break down but, because landfills are sealed-off environments, with little oxygen and no sunlight, these so-called biodegradable bags persist for years, just like regular plastic. Compostable bags are designed to biodegrade in the tightly controlled environmental conditions of home or industrial composts, which most people don’t have and don’t plan to use.
When you think about it, we are paying more for biodegradable and compostable bags, but aren’t actually helping the environment, which is extremely frustrating!
Truly Landfill-Biodegradable Poop Bags to the Rescue
Greenline Pet Supply makes landfill biodegradable poop bags that actually biodegrade in a landfill environment! Their bags are engineered to degrade even in a landfill’s no-oxygen, sunless conditions. By using an earth-safe additive and earth-friendly materials, Greenline Pet Supply’s poop bags break down much faster than traditional plastics and don’t harm the environment in the process.
We recently became affiliates with Greenline Pet Supply and are using these bags when providing dog walking and pet sitting services. Our team is thrilled to bring you this great company and product at a discount.
Special Promo!
April 22nd is Earth Day and April 23-29th is National Scoop the poop week. Use our affiliate link and enter the following promo for extra discounts:
- 20% off order
- Use code: scooppoop20
- No minimum purchase required
- Unlimited use during promo period
- May not be combined with other offers
- Valid April 22-29th
Outside of this promo, you can use our code for 10% off. By using our affiliate link, you are supporting our business and a brand we love at no added cost to you!
The Best Care for West Houston Pets & The Planet
While dog poop and litter box waste may seem like small problems in the face of larger environmental issues, every little bit adds up—especially when there are millions of pets involved. By choosing Greenline Pet Supply poop bags and checking out their other upcycled products, you can do your part to minimize harm and help ensure a cleaner, greener planet for future generations, both human and animal!
At Animal Admiration, we are passionate about our planet and community. For this reason, our team is diligent about following your earth-friendly routines like recycling. If there is anything we can do while in your home to carry out your sustainability initiatives, please let us know. We’re happy to help!
Animal Admiration Pet Care offers quality dog sitting, cat sitting, and dog walking in Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Energy Corridor, Memorial, West Houston, and Cypress. For new clients, please contact us at info@animaladmiration.com or (281) 391-1015 to learn about our in-home pet care services. Existing clients, schedule your pet care visits here.
If you are outside our above-listed areas, please visit Pet Sitters International or the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters to find a professional pet care provider near you.
This post contains affiliate links that earn us a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Brooke Rozell began her professional pet sitting career in 2003. In 2011, she established Animal Admiration to bring trusted, professional pet care to the Katy, Cypress, Fulshear, and West Houston areas while elevating the pet sitting industry as a whole. Brooke is an active member of Pet Sitters International, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, the Texas Pet Sitters Association, and the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce. Learn more about Brooke.
