Skip to content 
It’s safe to say that dog poop needs to be picked up. It’s a gross chore that stinks but it stinks a lot more when you leave it where it is. It’s bad for the environment and in most cases illegal. But what do you do with it, once you pick it up?
From using a plastic bag to composting, there are a lot of methods but which is the best way to dispose of dog poop? None of them are entirely perfect and in most cases depend on you and your neighborhood.
Where to Dispose of the Dog Poop
The Trash
This is the number one method because it is just so easy and convenient. Most people use an old grocery bag, happy to give the plastic bag one more use before throwing it away. However, this method is harmful to the environment. To combat this, some pet owners buy biodegradable or compostable bags.
There is an important distinction between the two: compostable is regulated, and biodegradable is not. What this means is that biodegradable bags are often mislabeled—while they do have the ability to be broken down into natural substances, it’s only if certain conditions are met, and they often aren’t. Meanwhile, compostable bags are required to be broken down within 90 days and are more substantial. However, they are often more expensive.
Whatever bag you choose, you are left with the question of what to do with it. Is it illegal to dispose of dog poop in the garbage? Not if it’s your own trash, though it’s a good idea to ask your garbage disposal services to make sure. While there is no law strictly prohibiting it, using your neighbor’s trash, especially without asking permission, is frowned upon. Make sure to dispose of waste in the appropriate garbage can.
Composting
Unlike cow or horse manure, dog waste is not a fertilizer that will help crops grow—at least not on its own. First dog poop needs to be fully composted before use. This is because dogs are carnivores and have very different diets from their herbivore farm friends, whose waste consists primarily of plant matter.
Dog waste needs to be composted correctly. The most important step is keeping the compost pile at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit or more. This temperature will kill any bacteria, parasites, and viruses that could potentially be harmful to humans and our dogs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has a guide on how to properly set up dog waste composting to make sure it is effective and safe. Or you can simply buy a canine waste disposal system.
Flushing
Yes, flushing, and unfortunately it does not require training your dog to use the toilet. Our sewage systems work by removing pollutants before the water ever reaches streams or rivers and they can filter out dog waste too. Most of the time. Before you do this, you should check with your water and sewage treatment center to make sure they can handle the pathogens in pet waste. If your plumbing isn’t always reliable or if you have a septic tank, this probably isn’t the option for you.
But how do you get the poop from the yard and into the toilet? The simplest and safest way is to use a shovel or similar tool and flush the poop alone. However, there is another option: water-soluble bags. These bags are strong enough to hold the waste but will also dissolve in water in thirty days. It’s important to follow instructions otherwise they could cause damage to your plumbing system.
Hire a Waste Removal Service
Hire a professional to do the job for you. This is the easiest and cleanest way to handle your dog poop because pooper services will do the work for you. They will work with you, coming as needed or on a regular schedule, to make sure your yard is clean and safe for everyone.
Dog poop removal services are surprisingly economically and environmentally friendly. Partnering with them means you won’t have to worry about where the poop goes, and you can spend time doing what matters most—spending time with your best furry friend.
The best way to dispose of dog poop is whatever works for you, as long as you are taking action. It may be a stinky responsibility but it’s a small price to pay for the joy of being a pet owner. Let’s do our part and keep our community clean.
