Can you put dog poo in regular bins?

Introduction

Dog poo is an unavoidable reality for pet owners. As much as we love our furry friends, no one enjoys picking up their waste. But it’s an important hygiene and environmental issue that all responsible dog owners must deal with. So what should you do with your dog’s poo? Can you just pop it in your regular household bin? Or does it need special disposal?

There are a few factors to consider when deciding where to put dog poo, including:

• Local council rules and regulations
• Potential health hazards
• Environmental impacts

The good news is that in most cases, it is perfectly legal to dispose of dog poo in your normal rubbish. However, there are a few exceptions you’ll need to keep in mind. We’ll explore those in detail here.

Council Rules

The first thing to check is your local council’s policy on dog waste disposal. Most councils in the UK allow pet owners to use any public waste bin for this purpose. Some even provide dedicated dog poo bins in parks and busy areas.

However, the rules can vary between districts. A small number of councils do prohibit the use of household bins for dog waste. This is more common in urban areas such as London.

So before chucking that poo bag in your wheelie bin, visit your council website or give them a call to check their current guidelines. This will help avoid any issues.

Common Council Policies

To give you a better idea, here are some of the most common council approaches:

• Put dog poo in any public waste bin – This is the most flexible option and allows the use of any street litter bins.
• Use household bins only – Some councils request pet owners only use their own personal wheelie bins and to avoid public bins.
• Use dog poo bins where provided – Dedicated dog waste bins are available in many parks. Councils request these are used if nearby.
• No household bins for dog poo – A small number of councils don’t allow pet waste in standard household bins. So check first if you’re unsure.

The majority of areas fall into the first category, permitting general bin use. But again, it’s worth quickly confirming to avoid being caught out by any stricter local policies.

Health Considerations

After checking council regulations, the next consideration is potential health issues. Dog poo can present some hygiene risks that are worth keeping in mind when disposing of it.

Diseases

Firstly, dog feces can contain harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites. Examples include:

• Salmonella – Bacterial infection that causes diarrhoea, fever and abdominal cramps.
• Roundworm – Intestinal parasites that can be transferred to humans.
• Hookworm – Small intestinal parasites that can infect the skin.

These diseases are relatively rare in modern dog populations where worming treatments are routinely used. But they are still present at low levels, so dog poo should be handled carefully.

Contamination Risks

There are also contamination risks if dog poo isn’t securely bagged. Some issues that could arise include:

• Bin contamination – Dog feces can spread bacteria inside bins and transfer to other waste items.
• Water contamination – Waste entering waterways via street drains causes pollution.
• Infection spread – Eggs from parasites like roundworm can linger in soil and spread disease.
• Weed/crop growth – Dog poo acts as a fertiliser and can encourage weed growth when left on lawns and gardens.

So when disposing of dog poo, it’s essential to use sealed bags and bins to minimise contamination or environmental risks. This brings us to some key tips for safe disposal…

Disposal Tips

To safely manage dog poo, ensure you follow these guidelines whenever disposing of it:

Use dog poo bags

• Always use a dedicated dog poo bag or small plastic bag to pick up and contain the waste.
• Securely tie the bag to seal in the poo and prevent leaks.
• Double bagging provides extra protection if the bag is fragile.
• Never dispose of dog poo unbagged into household or public bins.

Bin it promptly

• Carry sealed bags to the nearest suitable bin without delay.
• Don’t hang bags on trees or leave them lying on the ground.
• Dispose directly into secure bins out of public reach.
• If no bins are available, take the bagged poo home for flushing or bin disposal.

Check local rules

• Read council guidelines to check where dog poo can be binned in your area.
• Stick to dedicated dog bins if provided.
• If in doubt, call your council for advice.

Following those simple rules helps minimise any risks posed by dog poo. As long as you bag and bin it promptly, domestic waste bins offer a convenient disposal method.

Using Household Bins

Provided your council permits it, using your own household wheelie bin is a logical way to dispose of dog poop. But there are still some tips worth following:

Use dog poo bins first

If out and about, always try to use public dog poo bins where available. This helps prevent household bin contamination.

Double bag it

Before placing in household bins, double bag your dog waste using small plastic bags. This prevents any internal bin leakage.

Bury it

For extra protection, you can bury the bagged poo under other waste items in your bin such as paper, cardboard or garden cuttings. This reduces odour and contamination risks.

Clean bins

After waste collections, give bins a rinse with disinfectant or bleach to kill any germs left behind. This helps maintain hygiene standards.

Use compostable bags

For more eco-friendly waste disposal, use compostable dog poo bags rather than plastic bags if disposing of poo at home. These break down naturally without harming the environment. However, always double bag to prevent leakage.

Public Bin Use

When using public bins, be aware that not all members of the public will appreciate this. Some people find the practice unpleasant. Here are some tips to use community bins politely:

Check first

Before using any public bin, quickly check the local council guidance. Make sure household dog poo disposal is allowed in your area.

Pick quiet bins

Opt for public bins in quiet streets or low footfall areas. Avoid bins in busy parks or town centres where people are frequently passing.

Use dedicate bins

Look for council dog waste bins where provided and use these in priority for disposal.

Clean up

If any mess occurs when disposing, clean this up afterwards. Carry sanitising wipes or tissue to wipe drips or smears on bin edges.

Be discreet

Lift bin lids gently, dispose of the bag quickly, and close lids firmly. Avoid leaving poo bags visible on top of bins.

Flushing Dog Poo

Some pet owners prefer to flush dog poo down the toilet where possible. However, there are some disadvantages to this method:

Toilet blockages

Dog poo can cause obstructions and blockages in waste pipes, along with unpleasant odours. Only liquid waste should be flushed.

Water contamination

Sewage systems aren’t effective at neutralising all the bacteria, viruses and parasites found in dog feces. These can pollute waterways.

Lack of biodegrading

Poo takes longer to break down in water treatment systems than in landfills. Burying poo in soil is better for biodegrading.

For these reasons, flushing larger amounts of dog waste down the toilet is best avoided. However, liquid dog diarrhea can be flushed in small amounts if essential.

Some key tips include:

• Flush liquid diarrhea only – never flush solid poo.
• Use bucket flushes to dilute solid waste if essential.
• Send any non-liquid poo to landfill via household bins.
• Speak to a plumber if your pipes frequently block with dog waste.

Overall, flushing is inconvenient compared to secure bagging and binning of solid dog poos. But it can serve as an emergency disposal option if urgently required.

Dog Poo In Garden Waste

For households with green garden waste bins, this can be a handy disposal option for dog poo. However, there are some factors to consider:

Check council rules

Some councils permit pet waste disposal in garden bins, but others prohibit it. So always check their published guidance first.

Wrap it thoroughly

Dog poo can be added to garden bins if first double bagged in compostable caddy liners or bags. This prevents contamination.

Bury it deeply

Bury the bagged poo well underneath garden clippings and plant cuttings to conceal odours and reduce bin leaks.

Clean bins

Hose out bins after collections using disinfectant to kill bacteria. Avoid contamination of handle areas.

The key advantage of garden bins is the waste can contribute nutrients as it biodegrades. However, follow the rules carefully to avoid issues.

On-Site Dog Poo Composting

If you have space, an alternative is composting dog waste at home. This requires a dedicated dog poo composter or sealed compost bin placed away from gardens and play areas.

Here are some key composting guidelines for dog poo:

Use specific composters

Purchase a specialist enclosed dog poo composter, designed to be vermin and odour proof. Avoid improvised DIY composters.

Separate from garden waste

Maintain two separate composting systems – one for dog poo and one for general garden waste and kitchen scraps.

Bury deposits deeply

Cover all dog poo deposits in the composter with 10-15cm of biofilter material like sawdust, woodchips or hay.

Manage temperatures

Turn and aerate the compost to ensure internal temperatures above 55°C to kill pathogens. Monitor conditions carefully.

Leave to mature

Only use dog poo compost once fully matured for at least 12 months. Apply it away from food growing areas.

With the proper composting temperatures and maturity times, the nutrients in dog waste can be recycled. But getting conditions right requires patience and precision.

Hiring Dog Poo Removal Services

If you’re unable to dispose of dog poo yourself, consider hiring professional pooper scooper services to manage the problem. Options include:

One-off cleaning

Hire pooper scooper workers for a one-off blitz to remove poo buildup from your property.

Regular cleaning

Book regular dog poo pickups – daily, weekly or monthly – to maintain clean grounds long-term.

End of tenancy cleans

Use pooper scoopers to tidy gardens ready for rental property inspections or handovers.

Kennel cleans

Kennels, shelters and breeding facilities can engage pooper scoopers for large-scale waste removal.

Professional services dispose of all dog poo safely and legally. However, expect to pay around £10-15 per visit. Multiply this by regular visits and costs can soon mount up. But for some owners, it’s a burden worth paying to avoid.

Disposal for Large Dog Breeds

Larger dog breeds present some extra challenges when disposing of poo. Their bigger poop piles fill bins faster! Here are some tips:

• Use extra strong and large poo bags suited for bigger breeds.
• Double bag droppings before placing in bins.
• Place only 1-2 poos per household bin to avoid overfilling.
• Take larger amounts to council dog waste bins where available.
• Flush especially large poops in small pieces if essential.
• Hire dog poo removal services for convenient large dog waste disposal.

The quantity of waste produced will be a key issue. But following these tips, even giant breeds and their big poops can be managed effectively.

Fines and Enforcement

Finally, it’s important to note that failing to clean up and dispose of dog poo correctly can incur fines or legal action in some cases. Enforcement options include:

On-the-spot fines

Council officers can issue fixed penalty notices up to £80 for dog fouling offences.

Increased fines

Fines up to £1,000 can be imposed if offenders refuse to pay the fixed penalty and the case goes to court.

Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs)

Repeat offenders who allow persistent dog fouling may be subject to council ASBOs.

Seizing dogs

Authorities can seize dogs from irresponsible owners if they ignore prior warnings about inadequate poo disposal.

To avoid the risks, ensure you always clean up after your pet and use appropriate bins or disposal methods. This will keep you on the right side of the law.

Conclusion

While nobody enjoys handling dog poo, there are various convenient and legal ways to dispose of it effectively. In most public places, use of any general waste bin is permitted as long as you bag droppings securely. Alternatively, consider options like household bins, garden waste bins or professional pooper scooper services depending on your facilities, lifestyle and council policies.

Follow the guidance carefully and you can keep public areas pleasant for all while disposing of your dog’s poop responsibly. With the right approach, this messy task can be kept clean, hygienic and hassle-free!