Healthy Dogs | September 16, 2018
Many people buy biodegradable plastic bags to reduce the impact of pet waste on the environment. But when you’re staring at a wall of green plastic bags, it can be difficult to know exactly what to choose.
To find out the differences between green bags, we talked to Jennifer Blaese, founder of Loft 312. When Jennifer launched her own company, she wanted to create a biodegradable bag for the dog owner on the go. As a resident of Chicago, the thought of thousands of plastic bags sitting in landfills helped her realize there was an opportunity to develop a bag that breaks down in a landfill environment. The resulting bags, Greenline Poop Bags, required hundreds of hours to develop and two years to launch.
JB: Biodegradable is a general term used to talk about many green pet waste bags. To determine if a bag is really going to break down, you need to consider how the bag or product is disposed of. When you look for a bag, it’s important to read the packaging closely. You want to make sure the bag’s packaging uses the actual word biodegradable. The Federal Trade Commission has created a Green Guide for all consumer products to prevent companies from making false environmental claims, so companies must meet those standards.
When Loft 312 developed our bags, we wanted people to be able to throw them away in the trash. So we knew the bag needed to break down in its place of disposal to be labeled biodegradable. Having a bag break down in a landfill is tough because it’s a dark, dry environment. Landfills are required to compact and cover the waste with soil daily, so the bags are buried within days. So there were a lot of unique challenges we had to overcome.
Right now, there are a few types of green bags on the market. They are either oxo-degradable bags, compostable bags or landfill biodegradable bags.
Oxo-degradable bags contain plastic and an additive, but they only biodegrade when exposed to heat, sunlight and oxygen. In a traditional landfill, bags won’t be exposed to sunlight and oxygen. Even under perfect conditions–where they’re exposed to heat, sunlight and oxygen–oxo-degradable plastics do not completely disintegrate. Instead, they break down into tiny fragments, which can potentially have adverse effects on the environment.
Compostable bags are different as they are made of various plant-based starches. These bags will be labeled compostable but require commercial composting to break down. The controlled environment of commercial composting is able to provide the high temperatures, aeration, water and nitrogen that a landfill cannot.
A lot of cities do not have composting programs. Even if you live in a city that offers composting, many cities specifically state pet waste is not allowed. So people who use compostable bags often throw them into the trash. And since the landfill is a dry, dark environment, the compostable bags do not biodegrade.
Landfill biodegradable pet waste bags are new to the market. They contain plastic and an organic additive, which renders it biodegradable in a landfill environment. The additive attracts bacteria and microbes already present in a landfill. They colonize on the plastic and completely break it down resulting in natural organic matter. Greenline Poop Bags are landfill biodegradable because we think its the best option for people who don’t have access to composting but want to lessen the environmental impact of bag use.
JB: Is this bag strong? Will my hand break through it? Does it smell?
There’s a certain amount of touch and feel involved when choosing a bag. People want to know how thick it is and some people want an opaque bag so they can’t see the poop inside.
The size of the bag is important. You want a bag big enough to cover your hand and tie it closed. If you have a large dog, multiple dogs or scoop litter, you want a bag that is large enough to scoop heavy loads.
And some people have a preference on how the bag smells. The majority of customers prefer an unscented bag, which is why we don’t make a scented bag. Plus, if I can avoid more additives in the bags, I will.
JB: Creating biodegradable bags took my company over a year. I started doing research on plastics and connected with people in the plastics industry. There seemed to be conflicting opinions on why type of plastic or additive I should use. I was introduced to a lab that specializes in testing biodegradable and compostable products and they referred me to a small company in Portland, Oregon that developed the technology I needed to make my biodegradable bags.
After several months of development, we had a finished product but before we went to market, we wanted to authenticate our biodegradable claims. The lab did a 6-month accelerated test (ASTM D5511) and a natural long-term test, which was completed in 28 months once the bags had fully biodegraded. Both tests measure the rate in which the plastic biodegrades in an anaerobic landfill environment.
It was a journey learning about biodegradable plastics in general. When I was a regular consumer, I thought I was buying bags that would degrade in landfills. I was upset when I found out that the bags I was buying did not biodegrade. There is a lot of greenwashing and marketing that can make it difficult to choose the right bag. But once you know what to look for, you can find a truly biodegradable bag.***
Jennifer Blaese is the founder of Loft 312, makers of GreenLine Biodegradable Poop Bags. She does the product development, marketing and sales for the company. She loves to talk about the environment and has a passion for pets and their wellbeing. When she is not at the office, she is spending time with her two Australian Shepherds exploring the city.
Furvor bone 🦴 broth for dogs is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is highly concentrated, so every squeeze adds real nutrition to your dog’s routine.
🐕 It’s packed with protein, amino acids, and nutrients that can support gut health, mobility, skin and coat, and overall wellness.
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It’s also an easy way to boost hydration and bring a little excitement back to the bowl—especially for picky eaters. Just mix it with water, pour it over kibble, or serve it on its own.
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Shop Furvor 🛒 🛍️ 🐕 Bone Broth in-store or online at Mud Bay!
#mudbay #furvor #bonebroth #dogs #healthypets
Weruva WX Phos Focused Freeze-Dried Chicken and Tilapia is a low-phosphorus, high-protein supplement made from 93% boneless, skinless chicken breast, tilapia, and egg white. It has no grains, fillers, bones, or organs.
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Due to its naturally low phosphorus content, this food is suitable for cats requiring phosphorus management, particularly those with kidney conditions. Additionally, it’s highly digestible protein helps maintain lean muscle mass.
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You can serve it dry or add water to soften the texture. Adding water can help your cat digest it more easily and boost their daily water intake. This recipe is meant as a supplement and works well as a topper or treat alongside a complete, balanced diet.
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If you want help figuring out if this is right for your cat, visit your local Mud Bay and speak with a Muddy, or shop with us online today.
#mudbay #healthypets #kidneyhealth #cats #catfood
If your pup brings the energy indoors, meet their new favorite toy. The ultra plush Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball is designed for fetch, toss, and all-out play.
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With a strong inner mesh liner and concealed double stitching, it delivers the durability Fluff & Tuff is known for in a soft, soccer-inspired design.
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Kick off the fun and shop the Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogs #timetoplay #healthypets
Need to keep your dog engaged while you work, host, or help them burn energy?
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The Woof LickMat and LickMix make enrichment easy.
The textured design encourages longer licking, helping promote calm behavior and engagement. Premeasured lines make portioning easy every time.
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Simply mix the grain-free Cheddar and Bacon LickMix. It’s easy to digest, simple to prepare, and each bag provides 10 or more lick sessions. Made from 100 percent silicone, BPA-free, and dishwasher safe. Strong suction cups keep the LickMat stable for easy, everyday use.
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Enhance your dog’s daily enrichment—visit us in-store or online and bring home the woof LickMat and LickMix today.
#mudbay #woof #healthypets #dogs #petenrichment
👀 Looking for a way to slow down mealtime and keep your dog thinking? The GURU Pet Company Bobble Ball turns your dog’s food into an interactive activity.
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Simply fill it with kibble or small treats, screw the top back on, and let the wobble begin. The weighted base creates unpredictable movement that keeps dogs engaged and working for every bite.
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A great option for dogs new to enrichment or seasoned puzzle pros.
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Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay today.
#mudbay #dogs #staybusy #healthypets #dogtoys
🎉 New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are now available in-store and online at Mud Bay!
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We’re excited to offer two new formulas that are complete and balanced for both cats and dogs.
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The Digestive Support Formula has beneficial fiber from lentils and sweet potato, along with probiotic inulin from chicory root. It also includes organic apple cider vinegar for extra immune and digestive support.
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Our Hip & Joint Support Formula features turmeric, oat flour, and omega-3 fatty acids from tuna 🐟 to help support joint mobility and immune health.
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All Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated and free of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives. And they are convenient and easy to use as a complete meal, a treat, or a topper.
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You can find the full line—including Skin & Coat, Cognitive, Digestive, and Hip & Joint Support formulas—exclusively at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #healthypets #mealtime #pnwpets #mudbayairdriedtoppers
💫 New at Mud Bay!
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CocoTherapy Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie Coco-Charms. Small in size and low in calories, they are an ideal training treat.
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Made with 100% organic ingredients, you can feel good giving them to your dog during longer training sessions. CocoTherapy Coco-Charms are also free from grains, dairy, gluten, eggs, and preservatives, and are low glycemic.
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Shop the Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie CocoTherapy Coco-Charms in-store or online today!
#mudbay #cocotherapy #trainingtreats #dogs #healthypets
🎉 🎉 GIVEAWAY! New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers for Cats & Dogs
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We’re excited to give you a chance to win a bag of one of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper formulas.
Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated, complete and balanced for cats and dogs, and easy to use as a topper, treat, or complete meal.
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New Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper Formulas:
Digestive Support
Made with turkey, chicken, and lentils, plus organic apple cider vinegar and chicory root to help support healthy digestion and immune function.
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Hip and Joint Support:
Made with turkey, chicken, fish, and oats, plus turmeric and omega-3s from tuna to help support mobility and joint health.
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To enter:
👍 Like this post
😃 Tag us and tag a friend
🤝 Follow us
We’ll pick winners at random and notify them on April 16th. Each winner will receive a bag of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers. 🍀 🤞 Good luck!
#mudbay #foodtoppers #dogs #cats #petfood
Check out these new aquatic-themed toys for your pup from Fluff & Tuff.
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Available in-store now: Claude the squid, with tentacles that are great for tugging.
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We also have Dottie the Puffer Fish, who will keep your pup active with a nice fetch session, and, last but not least, we have Millie the Axolotl, who is an engaging option for all of the above and ready to shake up your pup’s toy selection.
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Shop these fun new Aquatic options for your pup in-store or online today!
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogtoys #playtime #pnwpets
We visited the local dog park today to share a fun spring surprise 👀🎉
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The park pups got to try our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers!
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We can’t share all the details on these new toppers yet, but here’s what we can tell you:
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Two new formulas are coming soon, and you’ll find them both in stores and online. They’ll be available in 8-ounce and 24-ounce bags.
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Just like our current toppers, these new formulas give both cats and dogs complete and balanced nutrition. You can serve them as a full meal, sprinkle them on top of their food, or offer them as a treat.
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Thank you to all the pups who came by to try them today.🐾🎉
Check back next week because we have a giveaway coming up. Stay tuned and have a great spring!🌈 💐 🌷 ☀️ ☔
#mudbay #dogpark #sneaktreat #mudbayairdriedtoppers #new
Keep your pet happy and blissfully engaged with the woof LickMat and LickMix.
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The LickMat is BPA-free, 100% silicone, and dishwasher safe on the top rack, with suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking. It also features suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking, while its built-in mixing bowl and measuring lines make mixing easy.
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The Bacon and Cheese LickMix is grain-free and designed for use with the LickMat, woof Pupsicle, or as a meal topper. Each bag yields about 10 LickMat sessions when used as directed.
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Treat your dog with the Woof LickMat and LickMix. Shop all woof products in-store and online today!
#mudbay #woof #dogs #enrichment #petproducts
Stock up on your dog’s favorite Bulk Biscuits and make every refill count.
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Mud Bay’s Bulk Biscuits are all-natural, with many locally sourced options, including organic and grain-free varieties. When you refill your Mud Bay Mud Bucket, you pay $4.24 per pound instead of $4.99 on every refill. That’s 75 cents saved per pound, or 15% off each refill.
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Our Mud Buckets are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and come in two handy sizes: 2.75 liters and 8.5 liters. Designed for easy refills and fresher storage, they help make treating your dog simple and eco-friendly.
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Refill. Reuse. Re-Biscuit. Visit your local Mud Bay today to pick up a Mud Bay Mud Bucket and some tasty biscuits for your dog!!
#mudbay #mudbuckets #dogs #treats #healthypets
