The Biffy of Forest Drive: Can You Recycle Dog Poop?

 

Compost This? has no suggestions.  Neither does its companion site Recycle This?

What's a girl to do when her yard has been designated official rest stop of shitting dogs in the vicinity for the past eleventy years?

When I recognize the poop that comes from my neighbor's ugly Basenji - filled with bits of string and plastic is the main tip-off - I use the plastic bag my newspaper comes in and fling the offending poo over into her yard or front step, usually in an area where my own child will not step on it.

Like, right in front of my door?  Which is where I find dog poop on a regular basis?

But sometimes I get random logs left nearer to the street, which lets me imagine that loose dogs or random walkers-of-dogs are choosing to relieve themselves on my property, using the subtle techniques reserved to ninjas, I'd imagine.  (I'm home alot.  And I'm outside alot.  How am I missing this?)

So, please, recycling-minded, sympathetic readers -  is there any use for dog shit beyond pranks involving flaming bags?  Because I have, so to speak, a shit-ton of it. 

Comments

[brigita]

It's not quite recycling, but they do make septic systems for dog poop:

http://www.doggiedooley.com/

[Carrie]

This would make so much sense to buy if it was my own dog! Whatta cool idea.

The way people let their dogs crap in their backyards and then pick it up with sandwich bags? This was not how I was raised. Our dog went on 2-3 walks a day and those were her opportunities to pee and poop. Thus, we were spared having to touch her poop. On our walks, we would always wait for the vacant lot, the land surrounding the radio tower, places where picking it up wasn't necessitated by law.

Of course, as a little kid, I did find great joy in letting my dog crap in front of my elementary school...

[heather]

Why couldn't you compost it? It seems unlikely that the quantity of turds you're dealing with would be enough to really throw off the chemical balance of your compost. Take turds, cover with dirt, add veggie scraps, lawn clippings, coffee grounds, and dead leaves. Allow to sit for very long time, turn with pitchfork- voila?

[Carrie]

I dunno. What if they are super old dogs taking medications? Do I want that in my compost heap? Also, dog poo is constantly being mentioned as one of the top things NOT to put in composts - there's something in it (besides disgustingness) that is very bad to ingest.

[vivian]

I just use flushable dog poop bags and flush poop down the toilet. Easiest and most eco-friendly way to deal with dog poop.

http://www.flushdoggy.com