How you can Compost dog poop | Scratch
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Composting dog poop

When you’re picking up after your dog, their single poop probably doesn’t seem like an environmental catastrophe (although, if they’re not on Scratch, maybe it does). But the average dog produces an eye-watering 120 kilos of waste per year. Times that by nine million (the number of dogs in Australia) and you start to get a sense of the problem. If disposed of incorrectly, that mountain of poop can cause a lot of damage. 

Leaving dog poop in the streets is gross and it can make people and animals sick. Poop contains pathogens that when washed into waterways damage the environment and spread diseases including campylobacter, tapeworm, hookworm, roundworm, giardia and E.coli, and salmonella. 

Picking it up and chucking it in the closest bin isn’t a perfect solution either. While dog poop alone (being organic matter) will eventually decompose, the average plastic baggy will preserve it in landfill for centuries. 

Are poop bags bad for the environment?

It depends on the materials, but most plastic dog poop bags are terrible for the environment. Plastic can take centuries to break down. A single dog owner is estimated to use over over a thousand bags a year. That means many of us are creating a pile of plastic that will clog up landfill into the year 3000. Even then, in the next millennium, they won’t totally disappear. But rather plastic bags breakdown and become micro plastics that continue to pollute surrounding soil and water.

So, we’ve released our own biodegradable and compostable Eco Poop Bags.

Biodegradable poo bags

Are biodegradable and compostable bags more eco friendly?

Using biodegradable and compostable poop bags is a much more eco friendly choice. While they will still end up in landfill they’ll usually start to break down within weeks or months.

But buyer beware, not all “eco” or “green” poop bags are created equal. Depending on their materials some bags can still take over a year to decompose and may create microplastics. Pay attention to the label to choose a product that’s made out of natural materials and will break down within a few months. 

You can’t assume just because something says it’s environmentally sound it is. In the US there have been several cases of manufacturers claiming that bags were biodegradable or compostable when they weren’t.

Scratch dog poop bags

Can you compost dog poop?

As mentioned, dog poop alone itself breaks down quickly and easily. Meaning that it’s possible to be added to a designated compost heap and later used to fertilise non-edible plants (more on that later). 

There is a lot of great information online about starting, maintaining, and managing a compost system at home. Look after your compost properly and you’ll end up with a quality soil additive your garden will love.

NOTE: Compost containing dog poop must NEVER be used on edible plants. To be safe, it’s recommended you set up a separate, specific animal waste compost system.  

Is composting dog poop safe?

Yes, IF YOU DO IT RIGHT. Dog poop (or dog poop in a compostable bag) can be added to a compost bin. The USDA advises that if your compost bin is managed correctly, the process “destroys pathogens and produces a safe soil amendment.” 

As Professor M Leigh Ackland, a molecular biologist at Deakin University, told the Guardian: “Compost heaps are one of the best environments for breaking down waste because they have so many microbes, the microorganisms that can process waste.” But again, you need to keep an eye on it to make sure it’s being properly managed. As Professor Ackland explained: “A high temperature is critical. With grass clippings it can reach 60°C. It has to be maintained, turned over, and not become too moist. But that temperature should kill most bacteria.”

That doesn’t mean it’s totally safe to humans. Again, compost from a bin containing dog poop should never be used on edible plants (veggies, fruits, herbs, edible flowers etc).

It’s also important to remember that even a perfect compost heap contains mold and fungus spores. These can cause issues for people with allergies, children, pregnant women, and young puppies. For those reasons, always keep your compost in an isolated section of your yard.  

Finally, the simplest way to reduce the risk of pathogens spreading is by making sure your dog is healthy and up to date with their vaccinations and worming schedules. 

How to safely compost dog poop

As mentioned, the golden rule is do not use compost containing dog poop on edible plants. 

But it’s also important to keep any (non edible) plants treated with the dog poop compost away from edible plants to ensure there is NO chance for contamination. One good way to do this is to divide your garden in two. 

On one half you can keep your regular compost with your veggies, herbs, and edible flowers.

On the other you can keep your dog waste compost and remaining non edible plants.

Not only does it avoid any risk, it also saves you lugging compost across the yard!
You can check out a detailed breakdown of setting up a healthy compost heap here.


Scratch Eco Poop Bags are now shipping and available exclusively to Scratch customers. Get more info.