We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. The 5 Best Compostable Dog Poop Bags of 2026 Keep hands clean and help turn waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer By Anna Mejorada Anna Mejorada Anna Mejorada is an editor for The Spruce Pets and best friends with a Pomeranian named Gidget. She has tested hundreds of products, many with the help of Gidget, whose refined taste and cheerful nature continuously inspire Anna's work. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 09/10/25 In This Article View All In This Article Top Picks Reviews How We Tested Composting Dog Waste What to Look For FAQ Why Trust The Spruce Pets Credit: The Spruce Pets / Lecia Landis Picking up after your dog with a compostable poop bag can reduce the amount of waste that ends up in a landfill while turning your dog’s digested food into nutrient-rich fertilizer. Composting is the process of recycling organic matter, such as food scraps, leaves, and even pet waste, into fertilizer that can be used to enrich soil and plants. To safely compost dog poop, at home or at a composting facility, a bag needs to be made out of bioplastic, which is a type of plastic made from non-petroleum sources—often corn or tapioca—instead of fossil fuels. A reliable compostable dog should have all the qualities of a standard poop bag—easy to open, large enough to hold your dog’s load—in addition to their sustainable bona fides. We tested 13 bags made from bioplastics under real-world conditions, using volunteer testers and their dogs. Our overall favorites are G.A.S. Home Compostable Dog Poop Bags, which adhere to U.S. compostable standard ASTM D6400 and various European standards, including the rigorous OK Compost Home certification. Top Picks Best Overall : G.A.S. Compostable Dog Poop Bags at Amazon $25 Jump to Review Best for Small Dogs: BioBag Standard Pet Waste Bags at Amazon $30 Jump to Review Best for At-Home Composting: beyondGREEN Dog Waste Bag Refill Rolls at Amazon $14 Jump to Review Best Budget: Pet N Pet Compostable Dog Poop Bags at Amazon $14 Jump to Review Also Great: Pogi's Compostable Dog Poop Bags at Amazon $20 Jump to Review Best Overall G.A.S. Compostable Dog Poop Bags Credit: Amazon $25 at Amazon View on Giveasht.com What We Like Made from cornstarch Approved for at-home composting Dispenses and opens easily ASTM D6400, EN 13432, and NF T51-800 certifications What We Don't Like Available only through Amazon and G.A.S. With multiple national and international composting certifications and a functional, sturdy design, G.A.S. (Give A Sh*t) Home Compostable Dog Poop Bags are the best compostable dog poop bags for most people. While we didn't test this compostable dog poop bag, over 6,000 Amazon shoppers gave it a 5-star rating, so it's safe to say that pet parents love it. Many appreciate the bags' high quality, eco-friendliness, and durability. These dog poop bags adhere to the American compostable standard ASTM D6400 for composting in a municipal facility. They can also be composted at home, according to the certification standards set by Austrian testing company TÜV, which tests for bags that can be turned into useful compost at the lower temperatures found in home compost systems. In keeping with the brand's Earth-friendly mission, even the core and packaging are made of 100 percent recycled materials. Measuring 9 x 13 inches, these extra-thick, leakproof, and odorless bags are perfectly sized to accommodate even large messes. They are also easy to dispense from the roll and open. Each 15-count roll fits all standard leash-attachable holders. The perforated rolls come in 120- or 240-count options; there are also 240-count handled poop bags. Currently, the dog poop bags are only available through Amazon or G.A.S.online. G.A.S. donates 10 percent of all profits to the SOI foundation, a rescue organization that saves animals across Asia. Made of cornstarch-based bioplastic Best for Small Dogs BioBag Standard Pet Waste Bags Credit: Amazon $30 at Amazon View on Chewy View on Petco What We Like Unscented Durable construction Pull-through hole at the top of each bag for secure tying Black bags fully conceal contents and stench What We Don't Like Not compatible with most leash attachment pouches BioBag Compostable Pet Waste Bags are slightly smaller than other compostable dog poop bags that made our list, so they are ideal for scooping up after little dogs who produce less waste during their potty sessions. Each bag is 8 x 11.4 inches, providing sufficient space to hold waste, and 0.92 millimeters thick, so they are durable and capable of supporting the weight of dog poop. A pull-through hole at the top of the bag makes it easy to secure and knot the bag, fully concealing the contents and associated aroma. Similar to a notepad, these black bioplastic sacks come in packs connected at the top with a perforated line separating each pouch. Unlike conventional poop bags packaged in a roll, these bags aren’t designed to be carried in a leash attachment pouch, so it’s not as seamless to swap the BioBags into an established walking routine. Made from plant starches, vegetable oils, and compostable polymers Best for At-Home Composting beyondGREEN Dog Waste Bag Refill Rolls Credit: Chewy $14 at Amazon $30 at Chewy $31 at Wayfair What We Like Easy to open with less static than conventional poop bags Unscented Sturdy What We Don't Like At home composting is not for beginners If you are an experienced composter in search of dog poop bags to facilitate the composting process—which is not easy—BeyondGreen Compostable Dog Waste Bags are our top pick. These green-colored bags are manufactured in the United States and made out of plant-based biopolymers to fully decompose while composting. The bags have certifications from various trusted organizations in America and Europe to meet the standards for composting at home. Packaged in rolls, each pouch is easy to separate, with less static than conventional plastic bags, so they open up without a struggle. They are sturdy and capable of supporting the weight of a dog’s poop all the way back home for composting. Made from plant-based biopolymers Best Budget Pet N Pet Compostable Dog Poop Bags Credit: Amazon $14 at Amazon $22 at Chewy $24 at Walmart What We Like Fairly substantial capacity Suitable for at-home composting Easy to open What We Don’t Like Slight scent after initial unboxing Pet N Pet Compostable Dog Poop Bags are priced affordably and certified for home composting in the United States and Europe. The green-colored bags are made from cornstarch and easily fit into a standard leash attachment. Each bag is easy to separate from the roll along a perforated line, and we found them easier to open than other compostable bags we tested. The bags offered sufficient space for picking up after a 38-pound hound dog mix with extra slack to tie at the top. They remained intact across a variety of outdoor surfaces and cold weather conditions. The bags are unscented, but we noticed a slight scent after unboxing that dissipated after a few days. Made from bio-based polyethylene and cornstarch Also Great Pogi's Compostable Dog Poop Bags Credit: Amazon $20 at Amazon View on Pogis.com What We Like Large enough to pick up after all dogs Available with handles No scent What We Don't Like Perforated rolls don't always dispense well Another top pick from our dog poop bag testing is Pogi's Earth Friendly Poop Bags with Handles. We have not tested the compostable version from Pogi’s, but they are certified for composting through various global organizations, including ASTM D6400, ASTM 6868, EN 13432, and AS 5810—2010. They are suitable for composting at home and within an industrial facility. The bags are available with convenient handles—making them easier to transport to the nearest composting facility, and packaged in rolls which are perforated to facilitate individual bag separation. The plant-based bags are durable and large enough to clean up after dogs of all sizes. Made from bio-based vegetable material Final Verdict Our top choice is G.A.S. Certified Home Compostable Dog Poop Bags, which can be composted at home and are made from cornstarch-based bioplastics. We also really like Pet N Pet Compostable Poop Bags, which are durable and readily available. Even if you don’t plan to compost, both of these options are more environmentally friendly than traditional plastic poop bags. How We Tested Dog Poop Bags We purchased 13 compostable products designed for picking up dog poop with human hands and sent each one to a tester's home for real-world testing. For a week, human testers used their assigned product to pick up after their dog from various outdoor surfaces, including concrete/pavement and grass. Each participant documented their experience and offered insight into the performance of the product. Using our first-hand information paired with the standards set by ASTM International for biodegradable and compostable products in the United States, we ranked and categorized our top picks. Credit: The Spruce Pets / Meredith Luksetich Composting Dog Waste To dispose of pet waste, the best option for the environment is composting. There are composting facilities located throughout the United States, but not all of them accept pet waste, so you'll need to check with local facilities to see what their guidelines are. At home, composting of pet waste requires relatively high heat and should only be incorporated into a well-established compost process. If not handled properly, the risk of spreading bacteria is significant, making composting pet waste better suited for someone with significant composting experience. For those skilled in the practice of home composting with the proper composter in place, the poop can be used as fertilizer for ornamental gardens. To prevent contamination, pet waste compost should never be used in gardens that produce fruits or vegetables. While recommending against the use of pet waste compost to grow crops for human consumption, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a document outlining how to safely compost pet waste for other garden uses. What to Look For in Compostable Dog Poop Bags Biodegradable vs. Oxo-Biodegradable The ability to biodegrade does not make a bag suitable for composting, but all bags suitable for composting will deteriorate during the composting process. Compostable dog poop products are made from organic materials, such as recycled pulp and bioplastics, which are materials derived from vegetables or starches. Conventional plastic dog poop bags can take hundreds of years to decompose, but even bags with biodegradable claims—often labeled as "oxo-biodegradable"—remain intact for several years. These bags are made from standard plastic but include an additive designed to make the bag break down when exposed to oxygen and sunlight. This means they are unlikely to decompose in a landfill, but will break down into smaller and smaller parts if left out as litter. The full environmental effects of degrading additives are still unknown, but early research suggests that oxo-biodegradable bags can create environmental microplastics.  We recommend that eco-conscious dog poop bag buyers who are unable to compost opt for bags made from recycled plastic and bioplastics that are made from non-petroleum sources. Certifications for Bioplastics and Composting ASTM D6400 (American Standard) EN 13432 (European Standard) TUV OK Compost Home TUV Ok Compost Industrial Compost Manufacturing Alliance FAQ Do compostable dog poop bags break down in a landfill? Typically not. While compostable bags are designed to break down under certain conditions, landfills don't often offer the necessary heat and oxygen for compostable bags to degrade. While our favorite compostable bags are made from non-petroleum sources—making them a more eco-friendly initial purchase—they'll act just like normal poop bags if thrown in the trash. Is it safe to use compost made from pet waste as fertilizer in a garden? Yes and no. The risk of spreading harmful bacteria in a garden where vegetables or fruits are grown is too high. Fertilizers made with composted pet waste can be used in ornamental gardens, but should never be used in a space with produce."Dog waste compost can be used as a soil additive for revegetation, lawn establishment, and planting beds. It should not be used on crops grown for human consumption," the USDA states in its guidance. How do you dispose of compostable dog poop bags? If you use compostable bags, you can dispose of them at municipal facilities (if they accept dog waste) or compost them in a separate bin if they're suitable for home compost. There are also poop disposal systems that work as mini septic tanks. You bury them in the ground and then periodically add water and powdered enzymes to speed up the composting process. Why Trust The Spruce Pets This roundup was written by Anna Mejorada, an editor for The Spruce, who shares her home with a happy pomeranian named Gidget. Before researching and writing about pet products for a living, Mejorada embarked on a self-mandated, ongoing quest to find the optimal items for her dog. She is now delightfully devoted to helping humans discover and select the most favorable products for their pets. The 10 Best Dog Poop Bag Dispensers Explore more: What to Buy Dog Products Dog Supplies Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Fact Sheet: Composting Dog Waste. US Department of Agriculture.