Member Article

Inventor's harmless dog poo bags set to clean up across the globe

A dog lover is all set for global sales after innovating a range of sustainable dog mess bags that dissolve in water.

The idea for what George Greer’s new environmentally-friendly product came after walking his beloved four-year-old Swiss Shepherd, Noah.

What should have been an enjoyable stroll turned into a rubbish-strewn obstacle course as they visited Loch Long .

“I saw an awful scene of plastic bags and debris all along the shoreline.” Said George, a former payments network director, of Edinburgh who quit his job to invest his time in his ambitious new venture Project Harmless.

“I was shocked. It underlined just how much plastic is in our water. In fact, ten per cent of general waste plastic worldwide ends up in rivers and oceans,” said George.

“The UK throws away more than ten billion plastic bags of dog waste a year.”

So rather than simply complaining or forgetting about it, George set up Project Harmless to cut down on the use of harmful plastic and improve the planet.

He continued with product development amid subsequent restrictions and his business began to grow through word of mouth.

Now the bags are available to UK dog lovers and are all set for the worldwide market. Interest has come from Ireland, Belgium, and America, with a subscription box idea gaining traction.

George added: “Dog owners are a hugely responsible group of people and are keen to help.”

“I am very encouraged by the support and opportunities so far. There are around thirteen million dogs in the UK alone. Each one of those dogs does its business about three times a day. More than twenty-five million bags are being used, every single day.

Project Harmless came up with a new approach after they found research pointing to current sustainable solutions not measuring up to anticipated results.

George said: “We believe some biodegradable and plant-based bags, made using corn-starch, are better than degradable bags, but they are still not ideal.”

His partner had previously researched materials used in the making of medical pills which dissolve as they are digested.

“Unlike any biodegradable or plant-based bags made using corn-starch, or single-use plastic, our bags are water-reactive, and they dissolve in the presence of water.” says George. “If one of our poop bags gets into landfill, it will disintegrate very quickly. If it gets into the open environment, or into rivers or oceans, it will disintegrate rapidly. So, that’s no threat to fish or wildlife.

“Protecting millions of marine animals who die from eating harmful plastics is a massive consideration.

“It is also made of harmless non-toxic and micro-plastic free material.

“That’s why I call it probably the most harmless poop bag on the planet.

“If dog owners simply replace their existing harmful dog waste bags for Harmless Poop Bags, they can make the planet a better place one bag at a time.”

George says the price of the bags compares well against cheaper varieties when you consider the quality and positive effect on the environment.

Future plans include supporting local communities and charities as well as providing more environmentally products and services.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Linda .