It is a lovely moment to run with your little furry friends in the field of play around the yard. However, toilet breaks will often disrupt these precious moments, and as a call of nature, you have no option rather than obliging. The worst is that the moments come with the responsibility to ensure the waste lies in the correct place.
That’s why poop bags are some of the necessities you have to carry while going out with your pet. Statistics show that America has about 89.7 million dogs, with an average pooch producing around 4lbs of poop weekly. In other words, the environment has to deal with an average of 18 billion pounds of dogs poop yearly.
If you’re fond of picking your dog’s poop, as the law requires, you need a pat on the back, as the environment won’t be the same without your efforts. However, the next question after picking your pet’s waste is where to take it next. We have a comprehensive answer to that question in this article.
Why is it Important to Dispose of Dog’s Poop Correctly?
Rains typically wash dogs’ waste down to water bodies, including streams, lakes, and creeks, if you don’t practice how to dispose of dog poop the green way. Studies show that a significant percentage of bacteria in most water system results from dog waste.
Similarly, a sheer amount of dog poop can also compromise air quality; of course, you know how nasty the stuff smells. Another reason you need to take care of your pup’s mess is that it contains bacteria that can hurt humans and the environment.
Is Dogs’ Poop Different from Other Animals’?
Wild animals typically feed on nutrients and resources that are naturally occurring. As a result, their waste is often beneficial to the ecosystem. On the other hand, dogs and other pets often feed on nutrient-dense commercial pet meals. As a result, a dog’s poop typically contains high quantities of nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, leading to imbalances in the ecosystem.
According to the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, leaving your pet’s poop in the preserves causes nutrients misbalancing, leading to instability in the ecosystem. In return, the fluxes allow algae to bloom in waterways and other invasive plants to sprout and thrive.
Similarly, dog poops contain pathogens and other bacteria which can endanger human health.
Is it Right to Dispose of a Dog Poop in Plastic Bags?
Plastic bags are indeed better than leaving the matter lying bare on the ground, and the feces will decently decompose. However, the plastic bags take so long to decompose, exposing the landfills to large deposits of plastic bags after every single purpose use. Similarly, the poop in the landfills can still wash down to streams and other water bodies, leading to contamination and infections.
Better Ways of Disposing Dog Poop
1. Disposing of the Poop in Trash
This method could sound contradictory, considering the disadvantages of disposing of pet poop in plastic bags. However, these bags aren’t cut from the same material. For instance, the plastic bread bags and grocery bags common for this task may not be the best option. However, the same can’t be said about biodegradable dog poop bags, as they decompose much faster.
But still, they aren’t the best as some biodegradable bags may take longer to decompose, while others don’t break down entirely into harmless substances. If you opt for this option, consider poop bags labeled “compostable” rather than “biodegradable.” They are most likely to decompose at home and are a better choice than those made from plastic powder. Similarly, they’re primarily corn-based rather than oil-based.
Also, consider double-bagging the poop and tie knots at the top of each bag. Also, ensure that you compel as much air from the bag as possible so the poop bag doesn’t bust and expose its contents. Bagging your pet waste and disposing of the trash isn’t a better deal, but it is ideal compared to leaving it on the ground bare. Read on to find out more ways to dispose of your dog poop the green way.
2. Burying
Burying dog waste is a common and easy way to do away with your pet’s poop, especially if you own the land. It may be better than leaving the mess on the lawn, but not a perfect solution as it compromises the soil quality as it concentrates all bacteria from your dog’s poop in one spot.
However, contact your city before commencing any process, as this could lead you to problems with the authorities, especially if you expose any buried lines.
Also, remember that burying doesn’t protect the watersheds; hence the bacteria may still find their way to the rivers and lakes. Similarly, the poop may take around two months to decompose completely under favoring conditions, but bacteria may take much longer.
3. Registering for a Dog Waste Disposal Service
Signing up for a dog poop disposal service is one of the best options, especially if you live in a multi-unit residence where you cost-share the expenses with other dog owners. Similarly, it’s also a favorable option if you don’t like the idea of handling your pet’s poop.
Even better, most companies collecting these wastes compost them, limiting the harm to the environment. However, it may still be harmful to the environment if your company takes the trash they collect to a landfill, as rains can still wash them into the creeks and rivers.
If you find this ideal, check-in, your locality to establish whether there are pick-up areas where you drop the waste or if the company collects them from your yard directly.
4. Fixing a DIY Waste Septic System
Installing a pooch waste septic insert is another excellent idea for disposing of your dogs’ poop. You only need to screw the line attachment into the sewer or septic clean-out, put dog’s waste into the cylinder, use a hose to wash it down, and it goes directly into your sewer system.
This process is more or less the same as flushing dog poop down the toilet. However, the only difference is that you skip the plumbing systems in this method and drown the waste directly into the sewer tank.
However, you may want to note your locality’s climate. The system won’t deliver results when the weather is cold if you experience extremely cold temperatures; it’s better to consider other options.
5. Installing a Dog Poop Containment System
Like a composter, a dog waste disposal bin uses natural bacteria to decompose pet waste, making it less harmful to the soil and your pets. Similarly, the digester powder you’ll need to add also contains enzyme cultures and natural bacteria, hence safe to your household and the environment too.
On the first time you use your waste container, add some septic starter and wait for 48 hours before placing poop in the system daily. The waster biodegrades the waste and lets it flow back into the soil. However, the system doesn’t function properly in cold temperatures. You may want to incorporate a poop storage tank to keep the waste until the weather is conducive for decomposing
6. Flushing into the Toilet
Ensure that you exclusively flush the poop with no sticks or debris that you might have picked it up along. Also, you may consider flushable pet bags in the market since not all bags can drain into plumbing lines.
Likewise, take note of your home’s age, as older houses may not have stable sewer lines to drain the flushable bags. In this case, you may consider flushing the poop independently, without the bag, by scooping it directly into the toilet and flushing.
Again, talk to your water treatment plant to establish if they can handle dogs’ poop bags, and let your plumber help you determine if your home’s line is up to the task.
7. Using a Worm Farm
Compost worms and earthworms find pleasure in devouring decomposing materials, given that they have no teeth. As a result, starting a worm farm with your dog’s poop may be the best disposal method for the waste.
Even better, worm bins have no smell, and so do the spot on your backyard that you’ll situate the worm farm. The worms will decompose the piles quickly. However, you may have to stir the bin sometimes.
Apart from decomposing your dog’s waste, you’ll have a steady flow of wrigglers if you have worm-feeding pets, fertilizer to use on your non-edible plants, and fish bait if you enjoy fishing in freshwater. However, avoid using poop from a recently- dewormed canine, as the medication can harm your worms on the farm. It’s safer to wait for one to two weeks.
8. Using a Digester Bin
Waste digester bins are perfect options if you want to decompose your dog’s poop at home. They use a collection of enzymes and bacteria, similar to pet septic tanks, to break down the dog’s waste.
It’s easy to use. You only need to remove the lid, add in poop and some water and enzymes to liquefy the waste. For the liquefiers (water and enzymes), you may consider adding them weekly. The digester breaks down the poop, leaving you with a fertilizer-like substance that you can use in your garden. However, avoid using the fertilizer on vegetables, as it may have some traces of bacteria from the dog’s poop.
9. Composting
It’s easy to do, doesn’t cost much, and is an excellent way if you’re interested in how to get rid of dog poop the green way. To do this, you need to spot a dry place for the compost site and note where the water from the site flows. Ensure it doesn’t flow into your kid’s play area or dog’s pen.
The process is eco-friendly and gives you fertilizer to use for your flowers, shrubs, and grass. Avoid using dog poop fertilizers on your vegetables, as they could be harmful to your health.
10. Giving it out for Bio Gas Harvesting
Biogas harvesting is a great way to handle your dog’s poop. According to research, biogas can power everything, ranging from homes to streetlights. However, the service isn’t available in all regions. You can do some homework to determine if it’s available in your locality.
Is My Dog Healthy?
While a dog’s poop can be a nuisance to deal with, it can also show you whether your furry friend is healthy or if you need to call in the veterinarian. For instance, a yellow dog poop can signify that your dog has some infections or ate non-food substances. Similarly, black may be an indication of something unusual in your dog. Similarly, dog potty behaviors may be a sign that you need to act, especially if your once-disciplined pet start pooping and peeing in his dog crate out of the blue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Get Rid of Dog Poop at Home?
There are several ways you can dispose of your dog’s poop safely at home. Burying is the most common method but isn’t quite advisable as the bacteria from the poop can easily flow into streams and other water bodies.
For greener methods, you may consider starting a worm farm to decompose the poop, use a DIY compost, flush down the toilet, set up a DIY dog poop septic system, or use a digester bin.
Can You Throw Away Dog Poop?
Throwing a dog poop isn’t the perfect way to dispose of your pet’s waste, considering that it contains bacteria and pathogens which can be harmful to humans, other pets, and the environment [1]. The rains often wash these wastes down the streams, contaminating the water and causing infections.
What’s the Most Eco-Friendly Method to Dispose of Dog Poop?
There are several ways you can dispose of the dog’s waste. However, composting is the most effective method, as it gives you fertilizer you can use on non-food plants and makes the waste less harmful to the environment.
Does Dog Poop Go in Compost or Garbage?
Dogs’ poops can sometimes land in compost or landfills. While biodegradable poop bags often decompose with the waste, garbage isn’t the best place to direct your pet’s poops. As a result, you can consider compost as the waste undergoes treatment to make it less harmful to humans, other pets, and the environment.
