Should you put plastic-bagged dog poop or cigarette butts in someone else’s garbage can?

When I went out to my garbage can a few weeks ago, I noticed a terrible small. Right away, I spotted the problem: someone had put plastic bag with dog poop in my garbage can.

Unfortunately, my garbage can was handy because I’d put it by the street to keep the neighbor’s visitors from parking on my grass and ripping it up.

I wasn’t going to take it out and throw it on the ground. I do admit I considered putting in my neighbor’s garbage can, but I just put up with it for three or four days.

America's 83 million pet dogs produce some 10.6 million tons of poop every year. Only about 60 percent of dog owners pick up after their pets.

How should you dispose of your dog’s poop?

Bury it. It’s not a great idea. Pathogens can contaminate the soil, groundwater, and streams or lakes.

Put it in the trash. It’s the simplest way, but the plastic bags don’t degrade in the landfill.

Use compostable bags. Biodegradable poop bags won’t break down in a landfill. They need oxygen to break down. A biodegradable bag in a landfill will remain intact just like a plastic bag. However, they’re still a greener option because they’re made from plant materials.

Flush it down the toilet. Check with your local government to see if it’s allowed. There are flushable dog poop bags but they can contribute to plumbing problems if they don’t dissolve quickly enough.

Compost it. It can be done, but you’ll need to find directions to do it properly. Also, you can only use  this compost in flower beds, not vegetable gardens.

Arrange for a pet waste disposal service. They'll remove dog poop for you.

So, take care of your dog's poop and don't put it in someone else's trash can.

As for cigarette butts, don’t do it. Don’t put them in other people’s garbage cans. And, most importantly, don’t smoke.

Comments

[azire]

Putting it into a bag & tossing it into a trash can, your own or someone else's beats just leaving it on someone's grass/annuals bed, etc., or a town right of way. Often homeowners (or tenants) are responsible for "maintaining" a city/town ROW. In my town it means having to mow/stringtrim so the grass/weeds at or below a certain height.
If people don't pick up after their dogs it means someone string trimming or mowing can (1) fling the feces, some or all, into the air--maybe only 6" but even so or (2) the person mowing/stringtrimming steps on it. Both have happened to me. After a few years of dealing w/the problem, before I mowed/trimmed, I went out w/a shovel, picked up whatever I could find & tossed it onto the unfenced front yard of the most likely dog owner-someone who routinely let his two dogs out at night or in the morning after most people had left for work/school. The owner wasn't someone who cared that a neighbor was bothered, the town community service officer I called re: the issue, never returned my call, although there's a town ordinance stating that dog owner's are responsible for picking up after their dog (on public property, someone else's & their own). No fine for repeated violations though. Wasn't just my ROW, happened to other people whose homes were adjacent or across the street from that person.
At least if it's put in your trash bin (rather then your recycling or green waste bin), it'll get picked up & removed.

[Rita]

You're right, putting the dog poop in any garbage can is better than leaving it on the ground.

Did you know 40 percent of people don't pick up their dogs' poop?

I'm sorry to hear that your neighbor is so irresponsible with his dogs. There are fines and it's disappointing your city isn't interested in fining this repeat offender.