Learning how to deal with the responsibility of cleaning up after your dog is one of the critical elements of being a responsible pet parent.
Among the trickiest dilemmas of being a pet parent is what to do with their waste. Did you know that an estimated 84 million dogs create around 22.9 trillion pounds of poop annually in the USA alone? Or that a shockingly large percentage of this is left on the ground?
Discover the most eco-friendly ways to clean after your dog and why it’s so important.
First: Why Clean Up My Dog’s Poop?
If your dog relieves themselves in the great outdoors, it’s easy to think that their poop is a natural product that can decompose and won’t harm the environment. But that’s where you’d be wrong.
Due to the bacteria and pathogens present, your dog’s poop can significantly threaten the environment by contaminating the surrounding water supplies and affecting marine life.
Contrary to what many believe, rainwater will not simply wash away your dog’s poop. Instead, the waste is swept into drainage ditches and storm drains, ultimately landing in lakes and rivers. Not only does this pose a risk of contamination to drinking water supplies, but the high nitrogen content of the poop depletes oxygen from the surrounding water, which has severe consequences for marine life.
That’s why responsibly disposing of your dog’s mess is essential! It goes a long way in protecting local wildlife and your community.
1. Dispose of Waste in a “Green” Bag
Picking up your dog’s poop is the best way to prevent environmental impact and contamination. Still, the number one problem with picking up dog poop is the excessive use of plastic bags in the disposal process.
Instead, opt for a “green bag,” which is easily compostable and environmentally friendly. Many great products on the market fit this purpose; here’s what to look for when you buy one:
- Opt for renewable and plant-based materials, such as vegetable starches (corn, tapioca, etc.).
- If the bags come on a dispenser, choose one with a number five plastic that you can recycle after use (the same applies to the core of the roll).
- Always opt for unscented products as the sweeter-smelling varieties often contain several toxins that can later leech into the environment.
- Choose products that come with minimal packaging (and also packaging that you can recycle).
The purpose of a green bag is to provide a product with the least impact on the environment. You want a bag that breaks down easily, is compostable, and comes packaged in recyclable materials.
If you don’t have access to green bags, always opt for paper over plastic. It’s not the best way to dispose of your dog’s poop, but it will break down faster than plastic alternatives.
2. Compost Your Dog’s Waste
Composting is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to dispose of unwanted materials. Still, the issue with dog poop is that it contains many pathogens that can be harmful.
For example, you don’t want bacteria from your dog’s waste leaching into your veggie garden. If you dispose of your dog’s waste in your own compost pile, do your research first, as the risk of contamination is high.
There are many helpful guides online about composting, some of which include supply lists, step-by-step instruction guides, bin designs, and compost uses. Alternatively, you can purchase a composter specifically designed to handle dog waste.
Another solution is to ask your local council whether it accepts animal waste as part of your organic matter contributions. If so, you can compost your dog’s organic waste with your food scraps and allow the council to remove it each week/fortnight.
3. Flush Your Dog’s Waste Down the Toilet
Flushing your dog’s poop down the toilet may be one of the quickest and most effective ways to rid your home and garden of this matter.
The benefit of this practice is that you can rest assured that their waste is making its way to an established plant for proper treatment alongside human waste. Even the EPA cites this as one of the most effective ways to dispose of dog waste.
The problem is that not all areas and councils approve of this, as dog poop is different from human waste, and the bacteria and pathogens can lead to serious health issues. If in doubt, check your area’s local guidelines.
4. Employ a Professional Collection Service
If you’re fed up with picking up your Great Dane’s poop, and you don’t mind spending a few dollars each week, you could employ a professional service to come around and clear your garden and waste pile for you.
This is one of the more expensive options, but it is far less hassle, and if you opt for a reputable company, you can rest safely knowing they will dispose of the waste responsibly.
5. Plant Hardy Trees and Shrubs
It’s not just the general environment that can feel the effects of your dog’s waste not being adequately disposed of; your garden can suffer too.
One of the best ways to remedy this is to train your dog to use a specific part of your garden that you assign for peeing and pooping. Think of it as an outdoor doggy litterbox. In addition, opt for hardy and resilient plants that can cope with moderate changes to the composition of the surrounding soil.
Finally, if you grow food or veggies, ensure you keep your dog well away from their planting area. Dog poop in your veggie soil could have serious health implications and is something to avoid.
