Picking up dog poop, plastic bags and the environment.
January 27, 2008
Ever wonder why some people think its ok to let their dog poop anywhere and just move on without even attempting to dispose of it?
Rio and I do. There are trails and parks covered with the stuff. Particularly when its cold, people let their pet poop and run. If you are a dog owner and I am getting to you about this stuff, listen, its never too late to “do the right thing”. Dog poop and water systems don’t mix. As the Spring thaw begins, it’s time to pick it up while its still frozen. But what to pick it up with. Don’t even think about using more plastic unless its biodegradable. Here are some statistics about those “recycled plastic bags”.
100 billion are dispensed to Americans
12 billion barrels of oil are used to produce them
1000 years to break down
Standard plastic bags don’t degrade, they photodegrade, which means they break down into even smaller pieces that enter the soil and water as well as the food chain, killing birds and marine animals by entagling them or clogging their intestines.
Let’s face it they have despoiled even the wild places on this planet. Use cloth bags when shopping and make sure that the bags you use to pick up your dog’s poop are truely green biodegradable bags such as Scoopies.
This Earth Day do something for the environment and help pick up poop! For information about sponsored events in the Santa Fe, New Mexico area email us at Wild Mountain Online
Yes, oxo-biodegradable bags like scoopies are the answer, but dont stop there. Insist that all plastic bags and packaging are made from oxo-bio. It self-destructs after a short time leaving no harmful residues, and there is little or no extra cost.
Compostable plastic is not the answer, because it is much too expensive for ordinary people, it emits methane in landfill, and it cannot be recycled. There are in any event very few industrial composting facilities, and composters do not want plastic in the feedstock. Home composting of contaminated packaging is dangerous, because the temperature is too low to kill the pathogens.
Michael Laurier, CEO Symphony UK http://www.degradable.net
Have you heard of FLUSHADOO?
FLUSHADOO is a flushable, water soluble, eco friendly, doggie doo bag. It is the modern GREEN alternative to plastic doggie doo pick up bags. It is safe for septic tanks and easy to use.
Most importantly, FLUSHADOOs stay out of landfills, oceans and helps to keep our waterways and planet clean.
Sadly, plastic doggie doo bags are both prolific and devastating. During the 1,000 years they take to decompose they leak a toxic mix of plastic particles and dog waste. Bacteria seeps into groundwater by poor dog waste practices.
Our waste is strictly treated so why should pet waste be different? Dr. Gurminder Singh of the UCLA Green Institute believes FLUSHADOO is the environmentally friendly and responsible way to dispose of dog waste.
Untreated dog waste is washed into rivers, lakes, bays and oceans by rain. Waterways are adversely affected by dog waste. Scientists have even labeled this concept “The Fido Hypothesis.” Dog waste contains E. coli, Salmonella, Tuberculosis and Bellyworm.
Though the EPA is gradually requiring states to comply with the Clean Water Act currently most dog waste sits in plastic wrapped time-bombs in landfills. In addition, over the last 50 years, every piece of plastic that has made it from our shores to the Pacific Ocean has been breaking down and accumulating in the central Pacific gyre which is now referred to as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Be part of the POO-LUTION solution, by using FLUSHADOO on your next walk with your four legged best friend. Say NO to plastic and join the movement by using FLUSHADOO.
For more information about how you as a dog owner can help keep our planet healthy visit http://www.FLUSHADOO.com or call 877-DOFLUSH. FLUSHADOO helps support HEAL THE BAY (www.healthebay.org) in Santa Monica, Ca