Creative Ways to Utilize Used Dog Poop Bags

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As we have mentioned before, dog waste is not fertilizer, and when left unchecked pollutes and can transmit disease and bacteria. Therefore, the first thing you, as a dog owner, should do is obviously pick up the waste with a dog poop bag or scoop. After properly knotting the bag and containing the waste, proper disposal is essential to keep it from harming the environment or people. Proper disposal of a used dog poop bag usually entails throwing it in the trash. However, there are some unique and creative ways of turning the problem of dog waste disposal from a negative into a positive.

The first positive way some people are disposing of their used dog poop bags is composting. Composting of dog waste must be done properly to ensure that all the dangerous bacteria and pathogens have been removed and/or killed. Envirowagg, a company based in Colorado, takes used dog poop bags and composts the waste into a special fertilizer that is then sold for use in houseplants. You can learn more about Envirowagg at www.Envirowagg.com.

Another option for used dog poop bags is just emerging. This option involves the use of tanks in which used poop bags are deposited. These tanks hold the bags in a sealed container and use the methane emitted by the dog waste to power lamp posts or any other small electrical unit. This concept is fairly new, but it presents a very interesting and useful technique for harnessing energy from an otherwise useless and harmful source.

Even though you may not have the ability to compost your dog poop bags or the knowledge to create dog poop “powerplant”, your first option should always be to clean up your dog’s waste and properly dispose of it using a dog poop bag. This will, at the very least, make you a responsible dog owner and keep our environment just a little bit cleaner.

Choose the Right Pet Waste Product

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Formerly Doggy Pollution Solutions, Bow Wow Pet Waste Products was created to offer a full-range of environmentally friendly, affordable, and intelligent products for the management and disposal of dog waste in apartment communities, homeowners associations, parks, dog parks, hotels and other areas dog frequent.

We are committed to offering green products that leave the smallest mark on the environment.  We offer oxo-biodegradable dog waste bags and trash can liners which will break down in aerobic and anaerobic environments such as landfills.  All Bow Wow Pet Waste Products pet litter bags and trash can liners should be used within one year due the natural degradation process of the bags.

All of our oxo-biodegradable dog waste bags will fit almost all competitors’ dispensers in addition to ours.  There is no need to purchase new dispensers if you already have existing dispensers in place.

Our pet waste stations and dog waste bag dispensers are made from galvanneal, which is galvanized steel taken several steps further to increase its strength and corrosion resistance.  Galvanneal is very similar to similar to aluminum, but stronger with the same anti-corrosive properties. Please see the explanation of galvanneal from Wikipedia below:

Galvannealed or galvanneal is the result from the combined process of galvanizing and annealing the steel. The galvanization is made through the hot-dipping (Hot-dip galvanizing) process and gives a very fine grayish matte finish. Galvanneal does not flake off its galvanized coating when formed, stamped, and bent. The very fine matte finish acts like a primer, easily adheres to paint, and is very rust proof; only white to dark gray marks appear if it comes in contact with water. Galvanneal sheets offers good paintability, weldability, corrosion resistance, and formability. It is extensively used in the automotive, signage, electric equipment, and other industries requiring a metal with good paintability and long reliable service life. This steel process is produced by manysteel mills and it is commonly referred by its trade name of Jet-Kote.

Place our pet waste stations or dispensers in any dog areas in order to effectively allow dog owners to manage and dispose of their pet’s waste.

When deciding how many pet waste stations or dog waste bag dispensers a property may require, we recommend about 1-2 pet waste stations or dispensers per 1 acre of open area for parks.

For apartments, we recommend about 1 pet waste station or dispenser for about every 50-80 units.

For HOA’s and other communities, we recommend placing the pet waste stations or dispensers near common areas and areas easily accessible to dog walkers.

However, please be aware that each property is unique and that some high traffic properties may require more.  Try to place the pet waste stations or dispensers nearby paths, dog walks, and any entrance or exits to parks or common areas.

The pet waste station installation process is very simple and only requires a shovel and/or post digger, wrench or pliers and a bag of quick setting cement.  Each station comes with clear instructions for assembly.

We are always available to answer any questions or make any recommendations as to exactly what might be the most beneficial solution to help you manage dog waste.

Pet Waste Dangers

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There are millions of dogs here in the United States alone.  Each individual dog provides their owners with endless unconditional love and companionship.  Unfortunately, these dogs also provide their owners with the unwanted burden of pet waste.  Luckily, this is where our degradable dog waste bags come in handy.

Many dog owners are unaware of the dangers of pet waste in their yards and communities.  In reality, the “doody” pets leave behind poses numerous hazards to humans, the environment, our lawn and plants.

Dog feces harbor a variety of harmful bacteria and viruses such as giardiasis, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, tapeworms, ringworm, heartworm, and parvo among others.  Since the bacteria and viruses can linger in the soil, they are easily transmitted via contact by a dog or human into the home.  Gross, but another great reason to use degradable dog waste bags.  A single gram of dog feces (about the size of a dime) contains about 23 million fecal coliform bacteria which can cause serious kidney disorders, stomach cramps, diarrhea and intestinal illnesses.

Another thing to keep in mind is that pet waste attracts rodents and vermin to your yard, park, playground, or community common areas who use it as their primary food source in urban areas.  These animals carry a variety of diseases and also bring fleas and ticks into your grass, which in turn can then take up residence on your pets.  Using dog poop bags to properly pick up and dispose of the waste can eliminate this problem.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deemed pet waste a “nonpoint source of pollution” in 1991, which put dog waste in the same category as oil and toxic chemicals! If left uncollected or improperly disposed of, pet waste filters into our groundwater and into waterways, lakes etc., which is another great reason to use our dog waste bags.

Finally, pet waste is protein based and not grain based like cow or horse manure, making it unusable as fertilizer for yards and plants.  Left unchecked, pet waste will inhibit growth and eventually kills lawn and plants.  Try to be sure and always bring along a few dog poop bags so you can clean up after your dog.

Dog Parks – Funding & Legal Issues

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Dog Park Funding

Putting together money to fund creation of the dog park can come from many different sources.  Very few parks today have enough money to fully fund a dog park alone.  Plus, any community involvement should encourage parks and city councils to move ahead with the projects such as dog or pet friendly parks.

A few suggestions are applying for grants, forming non-profit 501C-3 groups, local fundraising campaigns such as a car and dog wash, dog walk events, donations of building and construction materials from individuals and businesses alike.

Another option is to offer sponsorship opportunities to pet related businesses in your area.   This can be as simple as selling advertisers dog bone shaped plaques to offering naming rights to the park.

Call other successful dog park groups for ideas and advice.  Create volunteer groups that will help with maintenance of the park once it is established.   This is key in today’s economy to help reduce budget constraints for your park.

Be sure to get signed petitions to show your park managers, city council, and opposition the amount of support and need for your dog park.

Be prepared for criticism from the opposition, but attempt to work with them at as much as possible.  Dog parks, by comparison to other everyday park amenities, are very cheap to build and maintain, so the bottom line is that it can be done and effectively maintained.

Legal Issues

Your town may still have ordinances prohibiting dogs off leash in public areas.  There are two possible ways around this.  One is pushing for a change of ordinances to allow for the establishment of the dog park.  The second is to apply for a special exemption permit, which would allow the park to get started.  Try to set up a meeting with someone from your town council to find out what issues may present a problem and how to effectively work around them.

Pet Waste Stations – Do I Need Them?

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The need for pet waste stations should be considered anywhere dogs are doing their business.  This may be anywhere from a designated dog walk area to a dog park or even a open grassy area in a neighborhood.

Installing and offering pet waste stations will provide dog owners with dog poop bags while also instructing them as to the importance of cleaning up after their dogs.  Many dog owners don’t realize the danger pet waste carries and the harm it does to the environment.  The availability of pet waste stations will minimize these risks and help to cut down on the build up of pet waste.

Maybe you’re concerned that pet waste stations will cost too much or that the refilling and supplying of dog poop bags will be too costly.  In reality, they are very affordable in todays market.  Also, the refill bags are much more affordable too.

Dog waste stations and poop bags can be purchased and shipped for just $130 from reputable stores on the internet.  Plus, once a pet waste station is purchased, they are fairly simple to install and don’t require any specialized experience or maintenance.

If your goal is keeping your apartment complex, dog park, neighborhood or any place dogs go potty, you’ll want to seriously consider the addtion of pet waste stations.  They are affordable, simple to install and will help maintain a clean environment.

Pet Waste Stations – Choosing the Right Trash Can

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Upon making the decision that you’re moving forward with the installation of pet waste stations, you’ll need to keep the following information in mind regarding the dog waste trash receptacle that you choose with your station.

The trash receptacle for your pet waste station is more important than you might think.  Why you ask? First and foremost this is the part of the station that is going to hold the used dog poop bags.  Not only should your trash can be sturdy, you should always make sure the trash can has an attached lid.  There are numerous reasons for the lid.

First, your pet waste station trash can lid will help keep animals and bugs from easily entering the trash can.  There are different trash cans with different lids on the market, any lid will work well, but just make sure your pet waste station comes with a lid on the trash can.

A second reason for a lid on your pet waste station is to keep the odor out.  Used dog poop bags will begin to emit unpleasant odors over time and the lid will help to reduce the smell.

The final reason, and I think the most important, for a pet waste station lid is to keep out water.  Open trash cans on pet waste stations allow rain and sprinklers water to fill up in the trash bag.  This water, when mixed with the dog poop bags, can create a very nasty concoction of “poop soup”. Removing the used trash bag under these circumstances from the station and replacing a fresh bag is especially disgusting for anyone tasked with this chore.  A lid will help to significantly keep water out and while keeping the dog poop bags and trash bag dry.

Your pet waste station lid doesn’t have to be fancy, but it must be effective in preventing animals, odors and water from entering your dog waste trash receptacle.

Pet Waste Stations – Choose Degradable Liners for Your Station

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If you have pet waste stations, you should always choose degradable dog poop bags to stock them with.  For most personnel that buy and/or maintain pet waste stations, this is usually the most common choice for refill bags.  

Most pet waste stations usually come with a certain amount of degradable trash liners for the trash cans.  Frequently however, once a park or property runs out of the initial supply of degradable liners, the decision is made to use standard, non-degradable trash liner for the cans.

Using a non-degradable trash liner in your pet waste station defeats the purpose of degradable refill bags and really doesn’t save much money either.

Degradable dog waste bags dispensed from your pet waste station are better for the environment than standard plastic bags.  They degrade over time and won’t pollute the environment for years to come.  The use of non-degradable, standard plastic trash bags in pet waste stations makes little sense.

If pet waste station users are placing a degradable dog poop bag in a non-degradable trash bag, the end result defeats the whole purpose of using a degradable bag in the first place.  The degradable bags and the dog waste will remain in the non-degradable plastic trash bags for years to come instead of degrading harmlessly over one or two years.

Furthermore, the cost difference between a standard plastic bag and degradable plastic bag for your pet waste station is minimal.  If you’re paying for degradable dog poop bags, reward your investment in the environment with degradable trash bags.

Dog Parks – Park Amenities

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Water fountains or some type of water access for dogs is very important as dogs can get overheated quickly and need to be hydrated.  This can be as simple as a basic water faucet to a dog park specific water fountain.

Exercise and play equipment like ramps, hydrants, and tunnels can be added to increase park appeal and activities for dogs and owners alike.  These additions can greatly increase attendance to the park rather than having a simple enclosed area.

Sanitation such as pet waste stations and trash receptacles are very important.  Dog waste can harbor a multitude of diseases and bacteria, so it is imperative that owners clean up after their pets.  Dog parks have been closed in the past due to unnecessary build-ups of dog waste in parks.   This build up of waste can contaminate watersheds, spread to other parks areas through vermin, attract rats, and provide an unsafe environment for people and pets.  The installation of affordable pet waste stations and biodegradable bags will provide parks users with the necessary tools to pick up dog waste.

Signs displaying park rules should be easily visible.  Try to keep the signs bright and simple so they are easy to identify and follow.   Avoid signs that are negative in nature, such as those that say it’s the law to clean up or that fines will be levied for infractions.

Pet Waste Station Installation

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Pet waste station installation is a very simple process.  To properly install a station, you’ll need a pair of plyers, a shovel, a level, water and a bag of quick setting cement.

The first task during pet waste station installation is to dig a hole about 18″-20″ deep.  Choose an area that is easily accessible and conspicuous.  This will allow dog owners access to the dog waste bags dispensed by the pet waste station.  Always be sure to check for underground utilities prior to digging.

Once your hole has been dug, take the post and place it into the hole.  Try to work the pet waste station post into the hole so that it will stand by itself.  Once the post is able to stand by itself, place the level at the top of the post to ensure the it is properly aligned and even.  Once you have the post properly set, pour the whole bag of quick setting cement into and around the base of the post and then pour the water over the cement.  This will activate the hardening of the cement and provide a good, solid foundation for your pet waste station.  Wait about 30-45 minutes for the cement to set and then begin installing all the various pieces of your station.

The dog waste bag dispenser, sign, and dog waste trash can will usually be secured by a set of nuts, bolts and washers.  Use a pair of plyers or socket wrench to secure the dispenser, sign and trash can to complete your pet waste station.  Once each piece has been secured to the post, stock the unit with dog waste bags and fill the trash can with a degradable can liner.

When installing multiple pet waste stations, you should first set all the posts and then come back to secure the dispenser, sign and dog waste trash can.  This will allow the quick setting concrete for each post to properly harden, while also utilizing your time instead of waiting for each individual pet waste station post to set one at a time.

Pet Waste Stations – What exactly are they, where are they best placed, and how do they work?

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A pet waste station or dog waste station is a free standing unit that can be placed anywhere to allow dog owners to clean up after their pets.  Pet waste stations are typically composed of a sign that directs owners to clean up after their pets, a bag dispenser that holds the dog poop bags, a trash can for the disposal of dog poop bags and a standard sign post that each piece is mounted on.  All pet waste stations should be mounted using stainless steel hardware in case the station ever needs to be moved.  Fastening the individual pieces of the station to sign posts without stainless steel hardware will make removing the sign, bag dispenser and trash receptacle especially difficult if the mounting nuts and bolts are rusted.

Pet waste stations are typically made from metal, plastic or even recycled woods.  A good station should be able to stand up to every usage, light vandalism and all types of weather.

Pet waste stations are typically placed in dog parks, apartments, communities and anywhere dogs are present.  These units are very easy to install and can be done using basic tools such as a shovel and plyers.  Pet waste stations should be mounted in the ground using a concrete base to guarantee a solid foundation.

Each pet waste station will have its own unique bag dispensing system, but most systems on the market today are simple, functional, and easy to use.  All units should be easily accessible so that pet owners can utilize them.

The majority of dog waste bags found in pet waste stations today are degradable and should be no less than 7″ wide and 12″ long to accomodate most dog waste, otherwise they are difficult to tie and close.  Bags dispensed from pet waste stations should ideally be properly disposed of in a trash receptacle specifically designated for dog waste.

Pet waste stations are effective tools in managing dog waste in today’s society.  They are affordable and simple to use and install and should be placed in most areas to combat the accumulation of dog waste which can pollute our waterways and soil.