Composting dog poo

[Mikey]

Ok, I'm at the start of a journey to try and become plastic free, and hopefully, eventually, zero waste and one of my hot topics at the moment is the dog. We have a springer spaniel, and he has a particularly enthusiastic bowel which requires on average 4-5 bags a day, he's a thorough pooch fair play.

There are biodegradable bags out there but, I've been advised that councils generally send this type of waste to landfill if you bag it and bin it, and if then buried the biodegradable bags don't decompose, so I've been trying to think outside the box. I'm looking at getting something like a hotbox (though I don't know if this is also plastic) that I can use my grass clippings along with other bits and pieces and the biodegradable dog bags. As a separate unit, to my main compost, this would then be used for the flower beds, as I can't quite get my head around putting even broken down dog poop onto the veg even though it's probably fine.

So do any of you use this type of composter, and how successful are they, I'm also open to other suggestions of how best to achieve the same outcome if they are plastic free of course.

[veggiechicken]

How about this? https://thegreenhubonline.com/2017/0...g-poo-compost/
You do need a plastic barrel but since its reusing one you scrounge its not single use!!

[Snoop Puss]

If I were to suggest bunging the deposits down the loo and disposing of the bag, either by burying it or putting it in with your rubbish, would anybody think that was gross? I can't see any reason why not.

[Snadger]

I have two dogs and I won't allow them to poo in the garden at present.. The German Shepherd just this evening decided to stop for a poo in the middle of the A68 whilst crossing the road.

The Siberian Husky puked twice on the path then did his business in the middle of a corn field!

All was picked up by Moi, good job I had three poo bags with me.

I like the idea of the composter but I would site it as far away from the house as possible.

[Jungle Jane]

There’s an old thread here about dog poop composting -
https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ste_26959.html

[Mikey]

If I were to suggest bunging the deposits down the loo and disposing of the bag, either by burying it or putting it in with your rubbish, would anybody think that was gross? I can't see any reason why not.

I don’t think this is a good idea as most councils frown upon this method of disposal.

[Snoop Puss]

^That's interesting. I wasn't aware of that. Neither are these people:
https://www.yourdog.co.uk/dog-care-a...h-my-dogs-poo/

[Jungle Jane]

I just phoned the council here,the dog poop in the bins gets turned into fuel pellets,that’s good it’s being reused.

[Mikey]

Snoop Puss, I think this is part of a much bigger council issue with lack of information in general.

I learnt something new today and that was 'biodegradable' is not a recognised term with legal parameters whereas 'compostable' is. So if a bag is compostable it has to be capable of breaking down within a home compost bin whereas biodegradable doesn't, the latter could essentially last years and still be deemed biodegradable. It's a minefield, how as consumers are we supposed to differentiate.

I'm glad I found it out though that isn't something you want to be picking out of the compost bin in a few months time...

So I think I'm going to head down the dig in option and see how that works, probably not next to the comfrey though seeing how that likes to tap into subsoil. I have some spare bins so I think this is favourable. I just need to deal with carrying the bags around the whole walk now, my dog does most of his movements within the first 1/4 mile but likes to save some for the end!!! TMI sorry..

[Mikey]

I just phoned the council here,the dog poop in the bins gets turned into fuel pellets,that’s good it’s being reused.

As long as it's a dedicated dog bin, I can see this working but, if it goes into a general bin I'm sure they dont sift through it they probably bury the lot along with the other recyclable items that it's contaminated. Our village used to have a dedicated dog bin but, some individual ripped the top off it and now it gets all manner of waste thrown in.

[roodles84]

I use cloth nappies for my little boy, so applying the same methods would be to carry a cloth wet bag (or 3), pick up poo in bag, deposit into toilet at home and then put the wet bag through the wash. With nappies, the poo is wrapped up inside the nappy when in the wet bag, so you might want to pick it up in some toilet roll first to maximise the amount you can flush and minimise the amount you have to wash out.

[veggiechicken]

My council incinerate non-recyclable waste for several local authorities - including yours, I think, Mikey?
https://www.viridor.co.uk/energy/ene...es/cardiff-erf

[Mikey]

No as far as I'm aware, ours goes to NPTC Crymlyn VC, until recently we were massively overpaying for the service, as our contract was based on a 10 year fixed term deal but, in 2018 we changed over to a new recycling scheme with private contractor Kier and they introduced three additional bags to our existing 4 bag set up (yes we now have 7 separate bags that go out over a fortnight), on the plus side this pushed our recycling rate up from 58% to over 68% for all rubbish in the county, however the fixed term deal meant we were paying over £100,000 to NPTC for not taking our waste.

The local recycling centre, however, averages between 76-78% now so this is quite a positive step in the right direction. The queues, however, are insane on a Saturday or Sunday you can be waiting for over an hour to get in.

We do both benefit from living in a country that takes waste very seriously, it doesn't mean it couldn't be improved though.

[Mikey]

Found this extract from Welsh Water, answering a question about flushing dog mess down a toilet. I'm sure other authorities might have different policies but, it's worth checking yours before flushing.

Welsh Water has not carried out any specific research into the impact of
dog waste on the sewerage system. However, we have previously had to
clear sewer blockages associated with gravel, plastic bags and other
debris entering the pipework along with the dog waste.

The health risks associated with human contact with dog faeces are well
understood and the Health Protection Agency and NHS offer valuable advice
on reducing the risks associated with Toxocarosis, which is relevant in
protecting our operational staff. The advice of the Health Protection
Agency suggests “Toxocara eggs can survive sewage processing although the
subsequent risks from them are undetermined; flushing the faeces down the
toilet is considered inappropriate”.

As a result we cannot promote or support the disposal of dog faeces to
sewer, regardless of how it is bagged.