FTC warns dog poop companies that its ‘biodegradable’ waste bags aren’t what they claim
I shop at the public market. I recycle. I do my best to be eco-friendly and this includes my choice in dog waste bags. Imagine my shock at reading that the Federal Trade Commission has deemed many doggy poop bags to promote false advertising on its packaging.
Twenty companies that make and market waste bags as compostable or biodegradable have received letters from the FTC saying its marketing isn’t correct. The reason for this is because dog waste itself isn’t compostable. They’ve got us bent over retrieving our dog’s waste thinking that by paying more for the eco-friendly dog bags, we are saving the environment. We can’t clean up after our dog and throw it into the compost pile and have it compost as fast as natural materials.
Related:New York’s Potential Dog Poop Problem Will Scare The Crap Out Of You
For many of us city-dwellers, we clean up after every single number two with a bag. That works out to about three bags a day for adult dogs. For puppy owners, you’re using five or six… if you’re lucky. So the average dog living in the city requires over 1,000 bags a year!
The FTC warns us not to trust the claims of the waste bag manufacturers. They mention that just because a company didn’t receive a notice, it doesn’t mean their company is safe from the false claims. They urge marketers to review the standards and proceed accordingly.
Related:5 Reasons Why You Should Always Pick Up Dog Poop
When your behind is freezing this winter and you’re trying to figure out how to open the bag with mittens to clean up after your dog’s, remember… just any bag will do. Save money and frustration by using those free plastic shopping bags you get to hold fruit and veggies – now that’s recycling!
