Erin asks| I’ve noticed an increasing amount of dog poop on the streets of Canton. Does this create harmful runoff for the bay? I’ve heard that San Francisco has a dog poop “methane gas to energy project” in one of its parks - what is the feasibility of Canton doing something like this?
Eco-Consults | Let’s look at why dog waste is harmful. Dog feces contain up to 23 million bacteria per gram. These “coliforms” typically live in the gut, but when accidentally ingested by humans can cause gastrointestinal illness, serious kidney disorders, and even death. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies pet waste similarly to oil and toxic chemicals. When mixed into waterways, dog feces promote overgrowth of algae. This causes declines in light and oxygen levels in the water, which leads to the death of plant and animal species in the water. The waste from 100 canine companions over three days could temporarily create 20 square miles of this water wasteland!
About 40% of Americans do not pick up after their dog, and sometimes it seems like all of those 40% live in the city. For those who live with a backyard, composting is a safe and effective solution. There are also private companies that specialize in picking up dog feces (e.g. www.doodycalls.com). For those who enjoy city living, options are more limited. While using pet waste as a bio-fuel may seem attractive, it is unlikely to be a fiscal reality in Baltimore, due to tight budget constraints. Try to encourage your neighbors to pick up after their pets, and keep the area in front of your own house clean of dog waste for sanitary reasons (even if you do not have a pet). Most importantly, for those of us who enjoy furry friends at home, pick up after your pet!
EcoConsults will answer your environmental questions. Send your questions to Meghan at green@charmedmag.com. FIND MORE ECO-TIPS @ www.charmedmag.com/local-biz/goin-green/
Meghan Lockman has a Masters of Science in Environmental Management from Vanderbilt Univers ity and a Masters of Business Administration from Loyola University. she i s owner of EcoConsults, a local EcoConsult ing firm. www.ecoconsults.com
#711 Adam Van Bavel said:
A great way to implement this idea would be to use the waste created in the local dog parks to power a light in each park as read in the Popular Science article below. With the BioTech hub between the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins right here in the City, I see no reason why a partnership couldn’t be formed making this feasible and useful. It’s a small way to get people thinking, be eco-conscious and also provide light in the parks.
http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-09/fidos-poo-powers-streetlight-massachusetts-dog-park
03.28.11 at 12:19 pm