Are Waste Bags Biodegradable?
The simple answer is that some are and some are not. According to the Federal Trade Commission, there’s a lot of deceptive labeling occurring in the pet waste bag industry. While biodegradable bags are preferable, ultimately the important point is that it’s imperative that the waste be collected and disposed of in a responsible manner.
Biodegradable Bags
Pet waste bags are often marketed as biodegradable or compostable. One important thing to know about biodegradable bags is that even though they’ll eventually break down, there are certain conditions that must prevail and they can still take a considerable amount of time to decompose. Pet waste should never be composted in plant beds or gardens.
Vegetable-Based Bags
Biodegradable bags are manufactured from vegetable and water-based resins that are non-toxic. The resins decompose through the actions of fungi and bacteria that eat through the plastic, thereby converting it back to a natural material. In a commercial composting facility, these bioplastics have the potential to decompose in about 90 days.
Decomposition Process
Even when biodegradable bags are used, when placed in a landfill, they don’t decompose. Moisture and oxygen are required for the decomposition process to take place. Deprived of those two elements and contained within a pet waste bag, the feces will transition into a hard, dry material.
Toxicity
Pet waste can take up to a year to decompose if left on the ground. Two air quality studies revealed that 10 to 50 percent of the air contained bacteria from dog feces. That number varies by location, the number of dogs in a city, how dog waste is disposed of, and how diligent people are about cleaning up after their canines.
No matter whether the bags are disposable or not, removing dog waste from neighborhoods is critical. If left on the ground, it contaminates soil, water, and washes into waterways where it stimulates algae blooms. It spreads bacterial, fungal and viral diseases, along with parasites to people, other pets and wildlife.
At Crown Products, we create high-quality, focused products that, in essence, improve the quality of life for everyone who uses your facilities and public spaces. Visitors benefit from a cleaner space and resources to keep it clean, staff can focus on important maintenance rather than cleaning up litter and waste, and you can enjoy a pristine and appreciated space!
If you’re an existing distributor, you can place an order here to restock your inventory. If you’re interested in becoming an official distributor of Crown Products, learn more and apply here. And if you’re interested in purchasing Crown Products’ goods for your facility or public space, you can find a distributor here.