Isn’t landfilling bad? Aren’t there alternatives for getting rid of my pet’s waste?

We certainly want to reduce our waste stream to landfills. When it comes to pet waste, however, there is currently no better alternative. There is nothing “natural” about 169,900 dogs concentrated in an area the size of Snohomish County’s urban and suburban areas. Native wildlife populations do not reach that density. The question, then, is how we deal with the waste produced by this unnatural concentration of animals. Burial, composting, waste digesters, and letting it lay in yards contaminate water and jeopardize human and pet heath. Flushing is impractical for most people. At some point in the future, commercial composting technology may be sufficient to treat pet waste, enabling curbside pickup along with yard waste. Until then, landfilling is the best alternative for pet waste. Landfills are designed to safely handle substances such as dog waste, cat litter, and dirty diapers. Yards are not. Scoop the poop, bag it, and place it in the trash.

Show All Answers

1. Why is pet waste harmful?
2. What should I do with my pet’s waste?
3. Isn’t landfilling bad? Aren’t there alternatives for getting rid of my pet’s waste?
4. Can I compost dog waste?
5. Does the City of Everett have a scooping law?