(Issued Thursday, July 15, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. EST) – The Town of Cobourg’s Environmental Services Department would like to remind residents of how to manage pet waste properly and responsibly while reducing odour and litter issues and also diverting from our sanitary and storm sewers.
“Recently, we have observed dog poop bags 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,” said Jennifer Leno, Environmental Technician for the Town of Cobourg. “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.”
Pet owners have several options, but the most environmentally friendly options include recycling the droppings by using a pet waste digester at home or throwing them into the garbage.
How to Properly Dispose of Your Pet Waste
Garbage Bin: All animal droppings should be discarded into your garbage bin.
Pet Waste Digester: Animal droppings can be composted in your backyard using a pet waste digester. Digesters are available at local stores and work similar to composters. However please:
Keeping Neighbourhoods and Parks Clean and Odour Free
When outside walking your pet remember to bring certified compostable plastic pet waste bags that are BPI certified and drop them in your garbage bin when you arrive back home. Please avoid putting pet waste bags in neighbourhood downtown garbage bins which 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 where it is preferred to deposit pet waste bags, if necessary.
The Town of Cobourg’s Environmental Services Department would like to thank residents for keeping our community clean and recycling all that they can.