Best biodegradable poo bags

Pick up your dog’s waste using biodegradable poo bags. These are our top choices, and they’re ideal for used cat litter, too.

Person walking dog along pavement seen from behind
(Image credit: Photo by Tatiana Rodriguez on Unsplash)

If you’re a dog owner, cleaning up after your pet is essential, and biodegradable poo bags are the best thing for the job. With a supply of these bags, picking up after your pooch is mess-free, and disposal is easy and eco-friendly. They’re ideal for cleaning out cat litter trays as well if you share your home with feline companions. Our selection includes multiple sizes and tie-handle designs too. Choose the style that fits your needs.

Best overall

biodegradable poo bags

(Image credit: Amazon)

Earth Rated poop bags

At the ready

Vegetable starch bags on a roll that can be home composted.

Pros:

  • Made from vegetable starch 
  • Dispenser-sized
  • Recycled roll core and packaging material

Cons:

  • No tie handles

These biodegradable poo bags are made from vegetable starch, so they'll be accepted by a local facility that takes pet waste. They also have certification for home composting. Both the packaging and roll cores are made from recycled materials, so you can feel good about your choice. The bags are unscented, but once sealed, you shouldn’t be troubled by any unpleasant niffs. They'll also fit into a dispenser to make taking them with you on walks fuss-free. On the downside, however, they don’t have tie handles, which many of us prefer.

Best for litter, too

biodegradable poo bags

(Image credit: Amazon)

My AlphaPet poop bags

Strong solution

GM-free cornstarch bags on a roll suitable for dog and cat messes.

Pros:

  • Thick bases
  • Home compostable
  • Easy to separate

Cons:

  • Don’t tie shut

If you have both canine and feline housemates, these biodegradable poo bags could be the perfect choice. They are tear-proof and have a sealed base to prevent escapes, so they'll effectively clean up after the dog but are also good for cat litter. On a roll, they‘re easy to dispense when you’re picking up after either species. The bags break down and decompose in just 90 days because of their vegetable-based composition. 

Best for big dogs

biodegradable poo bags

(Image credit: Amazon)

Tuff Pets heavy-duty dog waste bags

Large and strong

Tie-handle bags that fit into standard lead dispensers.

Pros:

  • Home compostable
  • Easy to tear off
  • Simple to seal

Cons:

  • Roll cores not recycled material

Owners of larger dogs might prefer these biodegradable poo bags that are 34-by-14 centimetres in size to cope with the necessary clean-up. They’re also thick and strong to avoid any mess after retrieval and have tie handles for fuss-free sealing. These bags are cornstarch-based and can be added to the garden compost heap if you like the idea of at-home disposal. You’ll get 12 rolls in a pack, and they should fit a standard dispenser, as well as in your pocket.

Best for easy-opening

biodegradable poo bags

(Image credit: Amazon)

Anwa poop bags

Neat design

These bags are made with cornstarch and are suitable for clean-up after dogs and cats.

Pros:

  • Home compostable
  • Good size
  • Recycled packaging and roll cores

Cons:

  • No handles

Avoid the struggling to open bags when windy and wet with these biodegradable poo bags. They tear off the roll easily, and their texture makes them easy to separate. The roll sticker is easy to lift, too, to avoid tears. They’re another design that breaks down in 90 days and can be disposed of in your own garden. Rolls and boxes, made of recycled material, are eco-friendly, and even the print uses water-based inks.

Best for multi-dog homes

biodegradable poo bags

(Image credit: Amazon)

Beco poop bags

Strong seams

Tie-handle bags sized to suit the mess of big breeds and small.

Pros:

  • Made from cornstarch
  • Can be disposed of in the garden
  • Recycled roll core

Cons:

  • A bit see-through

These biodegradable poo bags are each 33-by-22 centimetres in size, so they should cope with clean-ups after dogs from small to large. They can go into the compost for home disposal, so you can avoid worrying about adding plastics to the environment. They’re a leak-proof design with strong seams to keep hands pristine. Bear in mind, though, that they are a little see-through because of the colour, so they might not be a great look on the walk home.

Best for avoiding accidents

biodegradable poo bags

(Image credit: Amazon)

Umi dog poop bag

Dispenser-sized

Leak-proof tie-handle design you can dispose of easily at home.

Pros:

  • Vegetable-based
  • Garden disposable
  • Tie handles

Cons:

  • A little pricier per bag than some

These biodegradable poo bags have a thick membrane to keep hands clean when dealing with your pooch’s mess. They also have tie handles, making sealing them a simple task. These bags also compost in 90 days, and you can dispose of them in your own garden, although they are also suitable for industrial disposal. I like the fact that it’s not just the bags themselves that have green credentials. The packaging and roll cores are Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified, which provides reassurance about their eco-friendliness. 

Our verdict

Why you can trust Gardeningetc Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Pick up after your dog or cat and keep the environment in mind with biodegradable poo bags. Our number one choice is the Earth Rated poop bags. Made from vegetable starch, they can be home composted if you prefer and fit into a lead dispenser.

Owner of a big dog? Check out Tuff Pets heavy-duty dog waste bags. They are large and strong to make cleaning up easy and hygienic. They tie shut as well, so sealing is simple.

Why trust us?

At GardeningEtc, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously – testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Sarah Warwick
Freelance writer

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor writing for websites, national newspapers, and magazines. She’s spent most of her journalistic career specialising in homes and gardens and loves investigating the benefits, costs and practicalities of home improvement. It's no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house revamper.