Dog Waste Bags

We understand some residents and dog owners are concerned about the City offering single use dog bags and have requested the City provide biodegradable or compostable bags as an alternative.

During the City’s most recent procurement process for dog bags the City reviewed compostable or biodegradable bags. The information below outlines the City’s position on both of these options and what the City is doing to divert waste from landfill.

Will the City consider using biodegradable dog waste bags?

The term ‘biodegradable’ can be misleading. Just like traditional bags, biodegradable bags break down into smaller pieces of plastic which remain in the environment.

Given biodegradable bags are placed into general waste (not compost bins or green waste bins) that then go to landfill they do not provide significant environmental benefits for the City to consider using them.

Additionally, there is a significant cost increase associated with use of biodegradable bags. The City has identified that using biodegradable bags would cost 325% more than non-biodegradable bags, exceeding the available budget by $75,000.

Will the City consider using compostable dog waste bags?

Compostable bags break down quickly when exposed to weather conditions and are more suited for personal use than for general council supply in storage containers that remain open to the elements.

While some local governments have chosen to upgrade their infrastructure to store compostable bags in their parks and reserves for residents and their dogs to use, the City is directing its resources towards a solution (Australia’s first Waste to Energy plant) that will ultimately see the majority of residential rubbish including dog bags diverted from landfill.

The WtE plant is scheduled to be operational by late 2022. It will help the City significantly reduce its reliance on landfill disposal; making a change towards achieving its zero waste objective.

Find out more about Waste to Energy here.