With COVID-19 on the rise in Hawaii, a Big Island school teamed up with a four-legged detective. Cobra sniffs for viral odors in students and can also detect invasive species and tree-killing fungi.

Although detection dogs are valuable in military and law enforcement settings, a recent study by University of California at Davis professor Lisa Lit found that dogs give false alerts 85% of the time. This is often caused by handler cueing.

1. GoGo Stik Heavy Dootie Bags

As a responsible pet owner, you should pick up your dog’s poop. However, you don’t want to leave behind a trail of plastic-entombed fecal fossils. That’s why you need a bag that keeps the mess clean and odor-free while ensuring a tight seal.

These heavy-duty poo bags are designed to fit with the GoGo Stik pooper scooper. They feature a leakproof design that ensures the mess stays inside the bag, and they are more durable than traditional plastic grocery bags.

They also feature easy-to-tie handles, making them more convenient to use for long walks or multiple dogs. Additionally, these bags are certified compostable and biodegradable.

The scented bags contain activated baking soda, which helps to remove the smell of feces before it even hits the trash. Additionally, the bags are thicker than traditional grocery bags and can accommodate a larger volume of waste. They are also compatible with most pooper scoopers. They come in a box that dispenses one bag at a time, so they are easy to transport during a walk.

2. Pooch Paper Biodegradable Dog Waste Sheets

Pooch Paper is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic dog poop bags. Made in the USA, these paper waste sheets are 100 percent biodegradable and compostable and made using renewable energy. The sheets feature a grease-resistant coating, and they can be easily folded into a tight bundle before being discarded.

Founder Tracey Rosensteel came up with the idea for this sustainable product while visiting dog parks and walking her own pet, Indiana Jones. She says she was shocked to learn that ten million pounds of doggie doodie and 500 million single-use plastic bags clog landfills annually. She also learned that plastics break down into microplastics that contaminate water and enter the air we breathe.

Rosensteel went on Shark Tank in 2021 to pitch her eco-friendly product. Although she did not land a deal with Shark Kevin O’Leary, the company continues to grow and can now be found in stores around the world. In addition, the company partners with paper mills in the US and strives to keep jobs in the country.

3. Amazon Basic Poop Bags

Dog poop disposal is a big issue for pet owners, and while you’ll always want to pick up your dog’s feces, you also don’t want it to smell. Whether you’re disposing of it in your own backyard or bringing it to a public trash bin, odor-resistant bags can make the process much more pleasant for everyone involved.

The best Smell proof bags are not only made of biodegradable and recycled materials but are also ASTM D6400 certified for compostability and environmentally friendly disposal. They are also unscented and have large handles for easy tying, and a portion of proceeds from each purchase go to help support animal rescues and shelters.

The reusable option on this list, the OneTigris Poop Bag Pouch, offers an interesting design that’s reminiscent of a fire hydrant and comes with a roll of 15 waste bags for new dog owners. It’s a good choice for camping trips, hiking or everyday use and can be fastened to your dog’s harness, leash, belt or bag with Velcro straps.

4. Pogi’s Earth-Friendly Poop Bags

These bags are a great option for pet owners who want to help the environment while still providing their dog with a leak-proof, odor-free waste bag. The unscented bags are big enough for even the largest dogs and feature a handy carabiner-style leash attachment carrier.

The company’s mission is to reduce the amount of traditional plastic bags discarded by pet owners and to replace them with biodegradable bags made from recycled materials. These eco-friendly waste bags are available in a box of 18 individual rolls, a grab-and-go box of 140 bags, and a convenient leash dispenser.

While oxo-biodegradable bags will break down if disposed of properly, if they end up in a landfill or other common trash bin they can become encased in layers of garbage and cut off from oxygen and sunlight, meaning they won’t break down for a very long time. We recommend choosing a non-oxo-biodegradable, environmentally friendly dog waste bag that is just as good and is more affordable for the average pet owner.