We can all agree that composting is a really environmentally friendly way of getting rid of natural waste but have you considered composting your pet's poop? This may seem like a smelly subject choice, but we can assure you that everything you’re about to read will greatly improve your knowledge of composting and might even pave the way for a reduced-waste approach to pet ownership at home.  

Industrial composting

We're all familiar with the humble home compost bin, but industrial composting is like a turbo-charged version.  It happens in a designated composting facility and uses high temperatures to help products and waste biodegrade or compost very quickly, much quicker than at home.

Industrial compostable products can be treated with measured inputs of heat (temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees), water, and materials that are rich in carbon and nitrogen. The materials can also be shredded to help them break down faster.  This means that industrial composting can process some materials and products that are just too tough to compost at home.  

Can you put poop in an industrial composter? Well, yes, as it happens, but only if you own larger animals and lots of them.  Currently many zoos, farms and animal sanctuaries send their waste away to be converted into fertiliser, water and power at industrial composting sites.  The volume of poop created at these would just be too great to safely compost on a home scale.  

Home composting

Home composting is far more laid back.  Reaching temperatures of only 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, home composting is a far slower process and is not suitable for certain plastic products, meat, fish or dairy.  It is, however, a good option for your dog poop.

Typical home composting includes organic waste, food scraps, clippings from cutting the grass, tea bags and the like. These products all compost extremely easy and won’t take much time at all to degrade. Home composting is an everyday part of a zero-waste lifestyle. A garden compost bin will give homeowners a small area where they can create their own compost with the product scraps they have around – and they can add other things, like dog poop, to keep their waste output down.

Composting your pooch’s poop in your backyard can produce nutrient-rich soil which is perfect for growing non-food plants. Dog waste is a safe additive for soil if you’re landscaping or looking to revegetate, but you do need to be a little bit careful as the lower temperatures of home composting may not be sufficient to destroy all of the more dangerous bacteria.  It's always best to save this compost to use on your flowers and not your veg patch. 

If you need some tips on home composting your pet’s produce, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CnXFB6cWX0

Being an eco-friendly pet parent

Now that you know more about composting poop, let’s look at being a better eco-friendly pet parent. We have discussed composting your fluffy friend’s poop, but what about the poo bag that you’ve used to pick it up?

Well, you're in luck! There are a few companies that produce naturally biodegradable poo bags - but be careful.  These poop bags MUST have a proper certification so that you know you can compost them in your home compost: Both the packaging and the poo bag itself must have a TUV OK Compost HOME and EN 13432 numbered certification logo printed on.  If it doesn't then it's not certified.

Our Green Poop Bag is not only fully home compostable certified and naturally biodegradable within 3-6 months, but also vegan friendly, premium quality, strong, opaque and comes with handles in two forms and sizes to choose from 😊 find out more...

Moving away from poop, here are some more ways you can be an eco-friendly pet owner:

1. Buy or make your own sustainable pet food. If you buy your food, ensure to only purchase products in recyclable or biodegradable packaging.
2. Browse the eco-friendly toy section next time you’re at your favourite pet store. Wooden and rope toys are slowly making their way onto shelves for dogs and cats.
3. Always pick up and dispose of your pet waste – perhaps by using our trusty Green Poop Bags!
4. Spay or neuter your pets to avoid overpopulation, illnesses, unplanned pregnancies, and avoidable animal deaths.
5. Don’t buy from breeders, adopt from rescues, sanctuaries, or pet owners who weren’t expecting that litter of kittens or puppies and need good homes for them to thrive in.

Feature photo by
Hiro Takashima