What not to do with dog poop

This short communication paper comments on the controversial but highly unpleasant topic of littered plastic dog waste bags in the environment. Littered plastic dog waste bags are a source of plastic and microplastic pollution and dog faeces contained in these littered bags also pose human and ecological health risks. This short communication suggests that this littering may be occurring due to confusion by pet owners, who may believe that these so called 'biodegradable' bags are compositable, which in the absence of industrial composting facilities, are not. Thus, plastic dog waste bags continue to be a source of plastic and microplastic pollution in the environment long after they have been littered. All pet owners should deposit plastic dog poop bags in appropriate waste bins, not in the environment.

Automated summary

This paper discusses the issue of littered plastic dog waste bags in the environment, which is controversial and unpleasant. These bags contribute to plastic and microplastic pollution, and the dog feces they contain also pose risks to human and ecological health. The confusion among pet owners, who may mistakenly believe that these 'biodegradable' bags are compostable, leads to the littering. However, without industrial composting facilities, these bags do not degrade and continue to pollute the environment. It is important for all pet owners to dispose of plastic dog waste bags in appropriate waste bins, instead of littering them in the environment.