What's the best way to dispose of dog waste?
A sign in suburbia
Photo by Flickr user johannal
A story today from the (Portland ) Oregonian addresses the issue, which is front and center there as measures to ban plastic shopping bags are being considered at City Hall and in the state Capitol.
The article lays out several options for disposing of pet waste: using biodegradable pet waste bags (takes too much energy/resources to produce), flushing it down the toilet (a strain on the sewer system), re-using plastic bread and newspaper bags (not a bad idea).
But the best method, according to the article, is a pet waste compost pile. It states:
That's where some of the pet-store bags come in handy, finally. Some brands are compostable (if you plan on using them this way, make sure the bags are specifically labeled as such, and not just as biodegradable). You can pick up your dog's waste, carry it home and put it in the pile or one of the special composters available for this purpose (search online for "dog composter" for several recommendations).But don't go throwing dog feces on the same pile as potato peels and coffee grounds.
A typical backyard compost pile doesn't generate enough heat to kill the bacteria in the waste.
Comments
Thor143
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 6:13 p.m.
Why not do what I do. Throw it in the neighbor's yard?
K Thompson
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 9:35 a.m.
This article could be more complete. A wider explanation of several aspects eof the cycle need to be explained. Where should one locate this alleged compost pile? How long does it take to degrade? What does one do about the smell and liquid run off that occur? How does one use said compost? How does one have this in a small city yard or apartment? Won't it irritate neighbors? Does one then need a garden for this? Is it safe for a vegetable garden of produce for human consumption? (need info or research) What does one do with a huge 'compost' pile of dog waste? The Portland article does say to mix it with sawdust, but, still, then what?! Using the plastic bag, bread wrapper, or 'biodegradable' bags still doesn't get rid of plastic. And a plastic bag ban doesn't address the bread wrappers or other plastic we so easily throw away either. The Portland article gives good detail about this also, though no sympathy for those crying about ban on plastic grocery bags. Get real, bring bags with you to the store! The 'solutions' described in the article are myopic. The author could do further investigation and offer more practical and complete information.
LA
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 9:18 a.m.
I don't suppose the A2 city compost pick up would allow us to put dog waste in the containers - would they? If it was wrapped in a compostable bag? Or even a brown paper bag or newspaper? I barely have room for a regular compost pile in my yard, let alone for an extra poop pile composting away in the corner. I have heard there are items you can put on it to help it dissolve, and a product that you can bury it with, but again, that takes up space. Until a more convenient, less expensive and green alternative is available, I think plastic is still the best, cleanest and most convenient way for us city dwellers to dispose of our pets waste. I love the bags that attach to the leashes!! Esp because you may need more than one, and it's great to be able to offer one to others who may have forgotten their or just suddenly need another!
Lorrie Shaw
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 12:41 a.m.
Plastic newspaper sleeves work great, they ARE more compact. When walking dogs, admittedly I do slip on a disposable nitrile glove on before picking up any waste with a bag as an added measure to protect my hands until we return to home, as I have an increased amount of exposure. I've busy hands. I am glad to see more environmentally friendly bags on the market (and from the market), so I guess there's no excuse for folks to not do a better job of picking up after their dogs. :)
breadman
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9:50 p.m.
I have a dog and I buy the plastic bags thae go on the leash for dog poop. I live on Dexter Ave between Maple and Huron/Jackson split. But it seems that the residents on Allen Dr. and Glendale bring there dogs on Dexter to leave a deposit on your lawn and just walk away. I followed this one down the street to see where they lived with two dogs on a leash. (left poop in my yard) Does Ann Arbor have a law about scoop your dogs poop? You can not complaint because the city does not enforce it! Look at the money is tickets that they could collect. I have pictures of dogs poop in my yard while the owners just stand there and watch. It is a City ordinance 9:45 Definitions; Sanitation nuisance. Unsanitary conditions resulting from animal droppings, food waste, or any other thing to cause vermin infestation, odors,or disease hazards. Look up in the city codes!
Urban Sombrero
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 7:36 p.m.
I grab it with toilet paper and flush it. Works like a charm.
Rasputin
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 3:19 p.m.
This article makes plenty of sense to those of us that don't own dogs either, yet have rude neighbors that let their dogs poop in our yards because they're too lazy to pick up their pet's feces themselves. Yes, plastic shopping bags or being phased out, but you want to know what works even better? Those plastic bags that newspaper carriers use! Smaller, available everywhere (from all those unwanted newspapers that appear ever Thursday), and easily disposed of.