What Happens to Dog Poo from Dog Bins? Vet Advice 2025 🩺💩 — The Truth About Waste, Landfill & Eco Options

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

💩 Have you ever stopped mid-walk and wondered, “What actually happens to all the dog poo once I throw it away?” It’s a common question — and an important one for anyone trying to be a more environmentally responsible pet owner. 🐾

As a veterinarian who’s passionate about sustainability, I think it’s vital that owners understand the full journey of their dog’s waste — from bag to bin to final destination. Knowing where it ends up helps us choose the most responsible and realistic eco options. 🌿

🗑️ 1. The Truth About Where Dog Poo Goes

In the UK, nearly all dog waste collected in bins or general waste is treated as general waste. That means it’s either sent to landfill or incineration facilities. 🔥

Unfortunately, there are currently no industrial composting systems in the UK that accept dog waste due to pathogen risks and regulatory restrictions. 🧫 Composting plants designed for food or garden waste won’t take dog poo because it can contain parasites such as Toxocara canis and bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli.

Vet insight 🩺: These pathogens can survive for long periods if not treated at very high temperatures, so dog waste requires specific handling — not standard composting. 🌡️

🏭 2. What Happens in Landfill?

When dog poo bags are sent to landfill, they’re compacted and buried deep underground in oxygen-poor conditions. These are the opposite of what’s needed for biodegradation or composting. 🚫🌬️

In landfill, even certified compostable poo bags struggle to break down. Without oxygen, the microbes that drive natural decomposition can’t function properly. Instead, waste materials slowly degrade anaerobically, producing methane — a greenhouse gas more than 25 times stronger than carbon dioxide. 🌋

Over time, these gases contribute significantly to global warming. In fact, methane emissions from organic waste in landfill are one of the UK’s major environmental challenges. 🌍

🔥 3. What Happens in Incineration?

When dog poo and bags are sent to incineration, everything is burned at very high temperatures. This process reduces waste volume and kills pathogens — which is good — but it comes with a trade-off. 🏭

The incineration of biodegradable and compostable plastics can release carcinogenic fumes and other pollutants. Some studies show that burning bioplastics (such as PBAT) produces more toxins than conventional plastics due to their chemical additives. ⚗️

Vet note 🩺: While incineration helps reduce landfill use, it’s still far from a perfect environmental solution. The goal should always be to reduce waste before it reaches that point. ♻️

🌿 4. Why “Compostable” Doesn’t Mean “Compostable Everywhere”

Compostable poo bags are designed to decompose aerobically — meaning with oxygen, heat, and microbial activity — conditions only found in proper compost systems. In landfill or incineration, those ideal conditions simply don’t exist. 🔬

That’s why even the most eco-labelled bags often end up acting like traditional plastic in the real world. Many “biodegradable” bags also only fragment into microplastics rather than fully breaking down, which still harms ecosystems and wildlife. 🐢

💚 5. Rethinking What “Eco-Friendly” Really Means

To truly evaluate a poo bag’s eco-friendliness, we need to look beyond the buzzwords. If all dog waste ends up in landfill or incineration, then the most sustainable bag is one made from materials already destined for those same waste streams. ♻️

In other words: the best option isn’t necessarily “biodegradable” — it’s one that makes the best use of existing waste while reducing new plastic production. 🌏

🌎 6. The Problem of Greenwashing in 2025

As we enter 2025, the market is flooded with products claiming to be “eco,” “green,” or “planet-safe.” But these claims often hide the truth — that the bags still contain fossil-based plastics like PBAT, or can’t break down in typical waste systems. 💼

Vet advice 🩺: Always read the fine print. Look for transparent information about what the bags are made of and how they should be disposed of. A bag can only be considered eco-friendly if its full life cycle — from raw materials to disposal — benefits the planet. 🌱

🌾 7. So, What Dog Poo Bag Should You Use?

Knowing where dog waste actually goes changes how we should choose our bags. Since almost everything ends up in landfill or incineration, the most sustainable option is one that reuses existing waste instead of creating new materials. 🔄

That’s why I recommend Woopf 100% Compostable Poo Bags — a veterinary-approved solution designed for real-world disposal conditions. These bags are made from plant-based materials that safely biodegrade when buried in soil, yet still perform well even when sent to landfill or incineration. 🌿

How to use Woopf Bags responsibly:

• 💩 Use them for all your dog’s waste — they’re leak-proof and durable.
• 🌱 If possible, bury the bag in soil (away from edible plants) — it will decompose within 90 days.
• 🚮 If burial isn’t an option, dispose of it in general waste — it’s still more sustainable than plastic.

By using bags like Woopf, you’re reducing new plastic production, cutting down emissions, and supporting more sustainable supply chains. 🐕💚

♻️ 8. Why Waste-Based Bags Are the Smartest Step Forward

Using recycled or repurposed waste materials — like those in Plastic-Negative or ReSEAcled designs — ensures that existing pollution is removed and reused. This circular approach helps balance the environmental footprint we can’t avoid entirely. 🌊

For example, Plastic-Negative products offset more plastic than they produce. Woopf and similar sustainable options represent the next generation of pet products — designed with science and the environment in mind. 🧬

💬 9. Vet’s Final Thoughts

Dog poo might seem like a small, everyday concern, but multiplied across millions of dogs, it adds up to a massive environmental issue. By understanding what happens after disposal, we can make smarter choices that align with reality — not marketing. 🩺🌍

I understand that not every owner can compost or make major changes — and that’s okay. My goal is to guide you toward practical, safe, and achievable steps that still protect the planet. Whether it’s switching to Woopf Compostable Bags or simply being mindful of waste, every small action matters. 🐾💚

📱 Ask A Vet Recommendation

Want help finding sustainable, vet-approved pet products? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet App 📲. Our team of veterinary professionals can help you choose eco-friendly options and healthy habits for your pets. 🌿🐕‍🦺

Written by Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, 2025