By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
The Town of Cobourg’s Environmental Services Division is offering information for residents on the kind of proper and responsible disposal of pet waste that will reduce odour and litter issues (while also diverting from sanitary and storm sewers).
“Recently we have observed dog-poop bas being flushed out of our storm sewers after a rain event, and also floating in our marina and in creeks that run through parks where children play,” Environmental Technician Jennifer Leno noted in the press release,
“This is an environmental concern as well as a health issue, due to the bacteria E. Coli that is found in feces of all mammals, including dogs.
“We are asking residents to please refrain from depositing their dog-poop bags into the storm-sewer catch basins and, instead, to please take them home with you and deposit them in the garbage.”
While pet waste is not one of the things acceptable to being included in the green-bin composting collections by Northumberland County, pet owners have several options. The two most environmentally friendly ones are to use your garbage bin or a pet-waste digester. Pet-waste digesters actually compost pet waste in your back yard, and they are available at local stores. If this is your choice, the town reminds you first to contact the municipal office for information on bylaw restrictions that govern placement in relation to property lines.
When using a pet-waste digester, you can mix in layers of wood chips, sawdust or dried plant material to reduce odours. Within two years, the waste should be fully digested and ready to spread on the lawn and garden (though not on our near vegetable gardens).
When outside walking your pet, please remember to bring along plastic pet-waste bags that are BPI certified. And please drop them in your garbage when you get back home, as using neighbourhood or downtown garbage bins creates unpleasant odours. If you cannot bring your pet waste home to dispose of, there are large garbage bins called Moloks located in town parks which are preferable to public waste receptacles.
The Environmental Services Department thanks residents for keeping the community clean by recycling all they can.
Author: Cecilia Nasmith
