The Best Way to Dispose of Dog Poop

We can all agree that dog poop stinks or that it tells a lot about a dog’s health. One misconception, though, is that it can serve as a natural fertilizer, but it can do more harm than good. With that in mind, it goes without saying that we need to get rid of Fido’s droppings as soon as possible. If you’re looking for the best way to dispose of dog poop, you’re where you need to be. This article covers every method you can use to make your dog’s feces disappear.

Tossing the Feces in the Trash

Picking up dog poop and tossing it in the trash is the most common dog poop disposal method. Each City and Municipality has different guidelines on where they want you to place dog poo; trash, green bins, or compost bins. Many cities across America are rolling out a new collection method: compost bins. No matter where you dispose of it, every city requires that you pick it up after your pooch. Of course, having a poo-bag with you should make things much easier. 

While it’s not the best solution, it’s a much better alternative to leaving it on the side of the road. Poop that’s left on the sidewalk will eventually produce methane and might end up contaminating important waterways. 

Tips for Tossing Poop in the Trash

When you throw dog poop in the trash, it ends up in a landfill—not very environment-friendly. It’s even worse if you use plastic bags to put the poop in before tossing it in the trash. Why preserve dog poo in plastic forever? While newspapers can be a much better and eco-friendly alternative, using them to pick up the poop can be quite messy. 

The question remains: how to dispose of dog poop and stay as friendly to the environment as possible. This is where SmartPoopy Walking Bags come in handy. These biodegradable and compostable bags come with a dispenser, which conveniently attaches to Fido’s leash. So, while throwing the poop into a trash bin can be the right thing to do, it’s much better if you use biodegradable bags while you’re at it. 

Flushing the Poop

Flushing your dog’s droppings down the toilet is one of the best ways to dispose of dog poop. That is because toilet water goes to a sewage treatment plant before reaching a river or stream. The treatment plant removes most pollutants before sending the waste into the streams. Picking up Fido’s poop and dumping it into the toilet is no pleasant task, but it’s definitely one of the preferred dog poop disposal methods. 

Tips for Flushing Dog Poop

Poop in your yard is much easier to deal with than poop on the side of the road. A quick scoop with PooPail should do the trick. Simply place the bin next to the feces, scoop it, and take a quick trip to the toilet. You won’t even have to bend down since the scoopers are pretty long. We also have a new product coming out that will make this easier still. Watch this space for PoopyScoopy.

Needless to say, what you don’t want to do is throw the poop in with the bag.

Composting the Droppings

Another one of the best ways to dispose of dog poop is composting. Instead of tossing Fido’s droppings in the trash or down the toilet, you can turn them into something useful. Composting is an eco-friendly way to break down dog waste and get rid of nasty pathogens. Plus, some doggy bags like the PooPail liner bags are made from natural plant materials and can be composted too, which means you can actually toss the whole thing in the home composter or commercial compost bins.

As mentioned earlier, many cities are rolling out compost bins in addition to trash, recycle, and green waste bins. Tossing your SmartPoopy Walking Bags or PooPail Liner Bag right in the compost bin is the best method of disposal. This type of industrial composting is done at a large facility, where the ingredients reach internal heat much higher than a home composter can. This high temperature will kill the toxins in dog poo, making it the ideal way to dispose of pet waste. Check with your local trash service to see if, or when they plan to offer this service in your area.

Tips for Composting Dog Feces

For home composters, an ideal recipe is 1/3 of grass clippings or green waste, 1/3 of food scraps, and 1/3 of pet waste. Do-it-yourself home composters are available at most home and garden stores and are similar in size to a large trash can. These are ideal for home gardeners, as they offer great compost for free. But be careful. These smaller home composters do not reach an internal heat that is hot enough to kill all of the toxins in dog waste. You’ll want to be careful where you use the compost, as it is only safe for ornamental plants—not the fruits and veggies you eat.

Burying the Stool

Now, burying Fido’s business in your yard might seem like a good idea, but it’s not the best way to dispose of dog poop. It can actually pose a risk if not done right. This is because canine feces contain dangerous pathogens like Salmonella, E. coli, Giardia, cryptosporidim, and Toxcara canis. These pathogens can leak into the soil and contaminate any water sources nearby, including ponds, rivers, and lakes. They can also contaminate fruits and vegetables in gardens surrounding the area. 

Tips for Burying Dog Droppings

If burying your dog’s poop is the only practical way for you to get rid of it, you’ll want to dig a hole at least 6 inches deep. If you don’t mind digging, then this can be an acceptable dog poop disposal method.

Even then, you should always make sure not to bury the poop anywhere near water sources or fruit and vegetable gardens. Remember to cover up the holes soon after in order to prevent the chances of anything slipping out. 

What NOT to Do When Disposing of Dog Poop

Don't Leave It Behind 

Never leave your dog’s droppings on the side of the road. By doing so, you may endanger the lives of other dogs and animals who might be compelled to smell or lick the droppings, which might contain worms, bacteria, or viruses. Dog poop can also pose a risk to the soil and water sources around the area. Plus, the last thing a fellow pedestrian wants is to accidentally step on some stinky stool on the sidewalk. 

Don't Flush It If Your Plumbing Can Handle It

Not all complexes and buildings allow you to flush dog waste down the toilet. Some places warn against it because it can clog pipes and overwhelm sewage systems. If you live in an area where flushing dog poop isn’t prohibited, make sure to throw in the droppings as is and not wrapped in a bag—unless it’s water soluble. 

Don't Use Plastic Bags That Aren’t Biodegradable

Always avoid using regular plastic bags to get rid of dog stools. By doing that, you’ll be doubling the problem. Not only will your dog’s poop sit in a landfill and cause harm to the environment, but it also will be wrapped in a plastic bag that will take centuries to break down. Always go for biodegradable or compostable bags to keep things as eco-friendly as possible.

Don't Throw It in Storm Drains

Storm drains may look like acceptable places to toss in dog poop, but they’re definitely not. These systems directly lead to natural water sources. In other words, all those nasty bacteria from dog waste could end up in lakes, rivers, or even drinking water. While you may think it seems like a quick and easy way to get rid of Fido’s poop, it’s actually quite harmful to you and everyone around you.

Don't Keep It in Your Own Yard

Even if your dog poops in your backyard, you still need to clean it up. Over time, dog waste can seep into the ground and contaminate the soil, making it unsafe for both you and your pets. Besides, trust us when we say that the smell lingers. Always make sure to clean up the dog poop and get rid of the dog poop smell in your yard before it’s too late. Whether you choose to bury, flush, or compost the droppings, just don’t let them sit there longer than they should. 

To Wrap up

Not only is it a good idea to pick up after your dog, but it’s also the right thing to do. Of course, it also helps if you know the best way to dispose of dog poop. Whatever you do is better than not doing at all, but some ways are more beneficial to the environment. Whether you choose to compost the droppings, flush them down the toilet, toss them in the trash, or bury them, make sure you do it the proper way.