Dealing with Dog Waste

Of course all animals make waste, but most of them do so in an ecosystem that knows what to do with it. Dogs and city streets? Not so much. In my town, the routine usually involves a plastic shopping bag repurposed for poop disposal and tossed in a trashcan. I imagine a weighted shopping bag is preferable to an empty one that gets scooped up by the wind and ends up in a tree or the ocean–but the thought of mountains of poop-filled eternally-plastic shopping bags in the landfill makes me exceedingly squeamish.

And I suppose suburban and rural dog guardians have their host of disposal dilemmas as well, which brings me to Flush Puppies. Flush Puppies are dog poop disposal bags that are, as the name suggests, flushable. They are made of PVA film, a water-soluble material that completely dissolves in about 45 minutes. Flush Puppies can be disposed of in any standard toilet, saving them from ever hitting the landfill–once flushed, the waste goes through your local sewage treatment plant which removes harmful toxins from fecal matter.

According to the Flush Puppies site, here are some facts to consider about abandoning pet waste (if you’re eating right now, you may want to finish your food before reading this):

• If left on the ground, dog poop can infect surface water and groundwater.
• Dog poop contains parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms.
• Parasites found in dog poop present an even greater risk to children.
• Parasite eggs can live in the ground for years.
• Cities across the country, including New York and San Francisco, have enacted pooper-scooper fines.

Throwing dog poop in the trash is not an ideal solution, here are statistics regarding the impact of animal fecal matter on the landfill:

• The average person in the U.S. generates about 4 pounds of solid trash per day.
• At that rate, the United States generates 210 million tons of trash per year.
• There are an estimated 44.8 million dogs in the United States.
• In a city of 100,000 people or 43 square miles, dogs can generate about 2 1/2 tons of feces per day. That’s almost 2 million pounds a year.
• A plastic bag can take up to 1,000 years to decompose in the landfill.

The bags come 15 to a packet, which is the size and shape of a pocket pack of tissues. The cheapest option is to enroll in the Flush Puppies subscription which they ship you four packs per month (60 bags) for 14.99 including shipping.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Cheryl B.

2:30PM PDT on Oct 23, 2011

thanks for the info

send a green star

Mike and Janis B.

3:37PM PDT on Aug 13, 2011

The only seem to assume you are attached to municipal sewers. What about folk using septic tanks?

Rubyquail L.

9:15AM PDT on Aug 13, 2011

Watch out Midland Odessa area - dog poop coming to your drinking water soon - ukky thought! reclaimed water for drinking; how many other drought extreme areas will end up drinking dog pooped water?

Tracey R.

11:46AM PDT on Jul 1, 2011

They now have biodegradable poop bags at the dollar store.
$1 - 70 bags! Works for me. :) Then goes in the green bin!!

Robert O.

12:53AM PDT on Jul 1, 2011

Good idea. I live in an apartment community and it bugs thehell out of me when people walk their dogs but don't pick up after them. That's so inconsiderate. Animal (and all waste) contains disease and can truly make people sick. Here in the Southwest where it's hot, dry and sometimes windy, particles can become airborne and make people ill. Anyway, this is a very clever idea. Let's hope it catches on. Thanks Melissa.

KS G.

12:46AM PDT on Jun 24, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Leigh H.

12:28PM PDT on Apr 19, 2011

Are Flush Puppies safe for septic systems?

Kelley D.

5:46PM PDT on Apr 16, 2011

Another great solution if you have a pooper scooper is to get a Doggie Doo Drain. I scoop all the dog waste into a bucket and drop it into the Doggie Doo Drain. The Doggie Doo Drain is screwed into the septic/sewer system so the dog waste gets disposed of the same way as if you used the Flush Puppies. Some pros are, you do not have to keep buying anything and you do not have to bring the poop into your house.

Bon L.

5:57AM PDT on Mar 14, 2011

Thanks for the info.

Melissah C.

11:50PM PST on Feb 20, 2011

thanks