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.
Let your dog relax 💆 and unwind with a Puptail.
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After a walk, run, hike, or just because, this brunch-inspired Puptail is a fun way to help your pup slow down and take it easy. It’s easy to make and flexible, so you can mix and match to make it your own.
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Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Green Juju Golden Blend
- 1 tbsp blueberries
- 1 tbsp banana slices
- 1/2 cup Primal Raw Goat’s Milk Cranberry Blast
- Swell Dog Gelato Banana and Peanut Butter (for topping)
- Wagster Banana and Toasted Coconut Biscuits
- Green Juju Freeze Dried Vitality Blend
- Furvor Concentrated Beef Bone Broth (for ice cubes)
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Optional Extras 🐕 🐶
Blueberry and bone broth ice cubes
Wag and Bright Supply Co. Spirulina and Beef Collagen dog chew
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Directions
1. Add Green Juju Golden Blend as your base
2. Layer in blueberries and banana slices
3. Pour in goat’s milk between layers
4. Repeat layers as desired, then freeze or serve as is
5. Top with gelato, biscuits, and freeze-dried blend
6. Add ice cubes and extras for a cool finish
#mudbay #treatyoself #pup #summeriscoming #puptail
Furvor bone broth is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is up to 30 times more concentrated than regular broths. It provides protein, collagen, amino acids, and important nutrients to help your dog’s gut, joints, skin, coat, and overall health.
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The 20 oz bottle provides more than 20 servings, making it an easy way to add beneficial nutrition to your dog’s daily routine at home.
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If you’re out and about, Furvor’s single-serve pouches will help keep your dog hydrated, with a pep in their step wherever you go. They’re great for summer, hikes, walks, or days by the water.
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Just tear open, squeeze, and serve. You can mix it with water, pour it over kibble, or give it on its own. You can buy them one at a time or in a pack of six.
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Shop Furvor Bone Broth in-store or online today! 🛍️ 🐾
#mudbay #furvor #healthypets #pnwpets #bonebroth
Capstar Oral Flea & Tick Treatment
🐾When fleas show up, it helps to act quickly. Capstar is an easy-to-use oral treatment that starts working in about 30 minutes and can kill most fleas within the first few hours. It’s a simple way to bring fast relief and can be used alongside your dog’s regular flea and tick routine.
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Vetality Flea & Tick Monthly Topical Treatment
🐾 For ongoing protection, Vetality Avantect offers vet-quality coverage at a great value.
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These broad-spectrum topicals kill and repel fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and mosquitoes, while also targeting all stages of the flea life cycle. It also helps repel biting flies and kill lice. Available in four weight ranges and a four-month supply for continued protection.
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🛍️ Shop in-store or online today.
#mudbay #fleaandtickseason #healthypets #dogs #fleafree
We have all the treats, toys, and zoomie-inducing catnip options for your cat, both in-store and online at Mud Bay.
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So whether you have a cat who likes to bite, rabbit-kick, or lie back and relax with a nice treat and some catnip, we have what your feline friend needs to keep them happy, healthy, and engaged.🐈
#mudbay #cats #cattreats #catnip #cattoys
Oven-fresh meals straight to your dog’s bowl.
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Nulo Culinary Harvest is a high-protein, oven-baked dog food, basted in bone broth to support your dog’s digestion and joint health.
Nulo only uses high-quality proteins like turkey, herring, chicken, pork, lamb, and beef, then bakes each formula slowly at low temperatures to retain nutrients and make meals easier to digest.
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Choose from Adult recipes such as Chicken & Whitefish, Turkey & Herring, or Pork & Lamb, available in 4-lb or 25-lb bags. For small breeds, Beef & Lamb comes in 4-lb and 10-lb bags.
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Shop Nulo Culinary Harvest Oven-Baked Dog Food in stores or order online today!
#mudbay #nulo #healthypets #ovenbaked #dogfood
Did you know that Mud Bay now has sushi 🍣 for cats?
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Thanks to our friends at Fabcat, your cat can now enjoy a 5-piece sushi combo platter at Mud Bay. Each piece is not only fun to play with, but also filled with North American-grown catnip that will get your cat excited to bite, swat, and zoom around.
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Check out the Fabcat Sushi Combo Platter and treat your cat to something special. Available in-store or online.
#mudbay #sushitime #orderup #cats #catnip
Looking for a simple way to slow things down at mealtime or keep your dog busy?🤔
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The Walkabout from Woof is a multi-purpose enrichment toy that can hold up to 2 cups of food or treats. Just twist it open, fill it up, and rotate the inner dial to adjust how quickly food is released.
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It’s designed for quieter play, gentle on teeth, and safe for your floors—no marks, no noise, just steady engagement.
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A great option for busy days, working from home, or dogs that need a little extra enrichment. 🛒 🛍️ Shop the Walkabout in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #puzzletoy #woof #dogs #healthypets
You heard us, now we want to hear from you! 📣 👂
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We want to know your dog’s favorite woof Pupsicle recipe. Let us know what your pup loves most in their Pupsicle. We’d love to share your recipes with our followers, too.
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Send us a DM, leave a comment, share photos, or tag us in your favorite woof recipe. We might even make your recipe in-store and give you a shout-out! We can’t wait to hear from you.
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Stay tuned, because we’ll be sharing some of your recipes 🧑🍳 in the coming weeks!
#mudbay #woof #letusknow #healthypets #pupsicle
Nulo Culinary Harvest coming soon at Mud Bay!
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This new option from Nulo is an oven-baked, high-protein dog food basted in bone broth. And because it’s oven-baked, that means it’s cooked at a lower temperature, so your dog can absorb more nutrients and get the most out of each meal. The bone broth also adds extra flavor, perfect for dogs who appreciate something extra at mealtime that also has functional benefits to their overall health.
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Nulo Culinary Harvest for Adult and Small Breed dogs, will soon be available both in-store and online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #healthypets #nulo #dogfood
🐝 🌷 🌈 Spring is here, and that means fleas and ticks are back. To help protect your cat, we’re excited to offer new TropiClean 🌴 options designed to make care simple and effective.
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TropiClean Laundry Additive helps tackle fleas, ticks, eggs, and larvae right in your wash. Just add half a cup with your regular detergent, let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes, and use it on bedding, towels, blankets, rugs, and toys. Plus, it’s safe for use with your dog!
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TropiClean Gentle No-Rinse Cat Shampoo offers an easy way to clean and protect without the hassle. It helps eliminate fleas, ticks, and mites, protects against mosquitoes, and is safe for pets and kids.
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TropiClean Gentle Mist for Cats is a quick, on-the-go option for added protection. Just spray and go for an easy way to help protect against fleas, ticks, mites, and mosquitoes.
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You can shop TropiClean products for your cat in-store and online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #fleaprotection #tropiclean #tropicalclean #healthypets
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
