To Scoop or Not To Scoop, That Is the Question

For some dog owners, it is still a question whether or not to scoop up their dog’s poop. Apparently they are not thinking of the germs or the environment, or possibly they think “the rain will take care of it”. If you’re one of those dog owners that cleans up after your pooch, let us start by saying: thank you!

Here’s why: the way we dispose of our pup’s poo can be a huge opportunity to promote environmental sustainability and of course, clean streets and parks for everyone to enjoy.

When it comes to environmental consciousness, pet waste bags are certainly the best choice for transferring your dog’s poop from the ground to a garbage can.

But is a garbage can really the best place to discard the droppings?

Unfortunately, landfill conditions are not conducive to the breakdown of bags, even if they’re biodegradable. As it sits without decomposing, the feces produces flammable methane and can contaminate nearby water sources. This is why many landfills don’t technically allow any type of feces; but it ends up there, anyway. About ten million tons of dog poop get dumped in landfills every year.

So, what should dog owners do about their dog’s poop?

Here’s what Livescience.com has to say about the subject:

Doggie doody should not be left on the ground. If it’s washed into water sources, it can fill them with bacteria. Feces is also high in nitrogen, meaning it displaces life-sustaining oxygen. This can result in the suffocation of aquatic life that’s O2 dependent.

So, if we want to be environmentally conscious, what would be the best thing to do? After wrapping the poop in a biodegradable bag, you can dispose of it by either composting or flushing it.

If you choose to compost, create a pit dedicated only to pup poo, or purchase a dog waste compost bin from a pet or garden store, which is designed specifically for this purpose. A third option (if you’re not squeamish) is to vermicompost, or add worms to the poop pile. They’ll feed off the dog waste and do the composting for you. In the proper setting, the bags will be able to break down, resulting in nutrient-rich soil for gardens. One important thing to note is that dog compost should not be added to edible gardens—like fruit and vegetable plants—to prevent bacteria from being ingested.

The second safe method is to dispose of the poo the way humans do—flush it! This might sound too much for some, but just flushing your dog’s poop down the toilet is a way to keep from contaminating the landfills (and your trash can).

Who knew that something like your dog poop could have such a huge impact on the environment? If all dog owners took a few simple steps to dispose of feces properly, there would be healthier water sources, wildlife, and less waste in our landfills.

If you’re looking for the right bag to pick up after your dog, click here.