Compostable, Biobased & Environmental Claims

Why can't pet waste bags simply claim compostable?

Updated:

Direct answer

The bag material and the waste inside it are two separate questions. Even if the film meets a compostability standard, many composting programs do not accept pet waste because of pathogen and contamination concerns.

The bag material and the waste inside it are two separate questions.

Even if the film meets a compostability standard, many composting programs do not accept pet waste because of pathogen and contamination concerns. Home composting may also be inappropriate for pet waste unless a properly managed system is used for non-food applications.

That means a consumer could misunderstand "compostable poop bag" as permission to place the filled bag in any compost bin.

A more responsible approach is to focus on verified material content and product performance, then provide a clear instruction such as:

"Dispose of pet waste according to local regulations. Compost only where pet waste is specifically accepted."

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