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Dog Waste Composting |
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The
EPA estimates that the typical dog excretes 3/4 lb of waster per day - or 274
lbs per year. A kennel of 20 dogs must therefore dispose of more than two
tons of dog waste annually!
If the waste is left alone, it can become a pollution source to ground and
surface waters, attract flies and pests, cause an unpleasant odor, and create
unsanitary living conditions for dogs. Composting the waste can be quite
simple and inexpensive. Research conducted by the Fairbanks Soil and Water
Conservation District and the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service in
1991, along with a decade of
additional experience, found that dog waste could effectively be composted in no Pilot Project: Happy Trails Kennel In spring 2006, we teamed up with Martin Buser and Midnight Sun Charter School to initiate a composting operation at Martin's Happy Trails Kennel. Students from Mrs. Tro's class worked impressively hard to get the bins constructed and filled with a mixture of compost and sawdust. Take a look at these photos of a real motivated bunch! (click to enlarge photos; then use the back arrow to return to this page)
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rthern
climates.
We are extending this information to dog kennel operators in the Wasilla
District by offering assistance for setting up a composting operation. We
also have a
free publication by the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service available in
our office that outlines the specifics of dog waste composting as well as
compost thermometers for sale.
