Let’s just get this out of the way: all dogs need to answer the call of nature. If they’re eating quality dog food, they’ll digest it, extract the nutrients, and expel it from their bodies. And as their Owners, it’s our duty to clean up what they expel. When it comes to cleaning dog poop, the process is fairly simple – you scoop it, bag it, and bin it. However, if you don’t do it the right way, this seemingly harmless act can cause problems for the planet. That’s why we’ve prepared an easy guide for how to dispose of dog poop properly!
How to dispose of dog poop properly when you’re at home
Bury it if you can
Okay, that heading sounds ominous, but “bury it if you have the luxury of a backyard” looked a bit long. In any event, digging a hole will give you a planet-friendly way to dispose of dog poop properly. Before you bring out your hand-held shovel, though, ensure that:
- You don’t bury it directly beneath any plants
- You don’t use the same hole twice in a week
- The hole is around 12 inches deep, meaning your dog can’t unearth their waste (and possibly eat it). This is crucial if you have a dog who loves to dig
Flush it down the toilet
Now, this one might sound a bit obvious. In fact, you’ve likely done this with your dog’s leavings in the past. However, we couldn’t publish an article called “How to dispose of dog poop properly” without making mention of it. Simply scoop it up, apply those “egg and spoon race” skills to carry it to the bathroom, and flush. Provided your region isn’t facing a water shortage, this method is as eco-friendly as they come. No bags, no effort, and (unless you trip on your way to the toilet) no mess.
Add it to your compost
Before we expand on this method, we should offer a caveat: if you’ve only started composting recently, you may want to flush or dig for now. Compost needs to reach a certain temperature – around 71 degrees Celsius – in order to break down organic waste. As week-old compost heaps won’t have yet reached this temperature, they won’t decompose your dog’s leavings.
However, Dog Owners with veteran compost heaps can safely mix their dog’s manure into their mulch. This will not only get rid of your furry friend’s mess, it will also go towards fueling your garden.
How to dispose of dog poop properly when you’re out
Use biodegradable bags – and really make sure they’re biodegradable
Biodegradable dog poop bags have gained a lot of buzz in recent times. Unfortunately, while they may break down faster than standard plastic, they can still live on as micro-plastic. In other words, while they may not become lodged in any birds’ beaks, they’re still a scourge on the environment.
On the plus side, you can sidestep the micro-plastic issue by using non-plastic, compostable bags. To help you know your compostable from your plastic, the Australian Bioplastics Association issues logos for compostable dog poop bags. If you see a dog poop bag with either a seedling or a double arrow logo, you have a winner.
Dispose of the compostable bags in the right places
However, these bags only work if you use them the right way. While they’ll break down amongst soil or other compost, they have a much harder time in landfill. As a result, if you throw them into a “General Waste” bin, they’ll end up no better than many plastics.
For optimal results, take your full bags home. Then, follow the above steps to either bury or compost them. Sure, it may feel like a hassle to lug home bags filled with dog poop. Once you have, though, you’ll have done your part for a cleaner, more eco-friendly neighbourhood.
Of course, not all of us can have a compost heap or a backyard. Even so, we can still rid ourselves our doggy doo in a green manner. According to Leigh Ackland, Professor of Molecular Biosciences at Deakin University, platforms like Sharewaste allow you to gift your organic refuse to neighbours who compost. Put differently, your trash truly can become someone else’s treasure!
How do you dispose of your dog’s poop? Let us know in the comments section below!
