The federal government says dogs produce almost 300 pounds of waste per year.

That’s some eco paw print.

“We have two loveable and gorgeous labs, but what comes out of them is hardly gorgeous or loveable,” said Sarah Waddell, an Illinois resident. “After a two-week cold snap, my husband and I trekked out to the yard wearing rubber gloves to retrieve almost 60 pounds of dung.” The Waddells bagged it and threw it in the garbage. “We didn’t know what else to do with it.”

They are not alone. Almost 39 percent of households own at least one dog, according the Humane Society of the United States. Most dog-owners simply throw the waste away, adding to the ever-growing pile of plastic bags found in landfills.

Others leave it where it drops, creating different environmental problems. Snow and rain often send pet waste into storm sewers, which then makes its way into lakes and streams, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Some city governments are tackling the dog poop problem head on. Last year, San Francisco began collecting dog waste and converting it into methane. The program is a great idea, but for those of us who don’t live on the left coast, see the sidebar on the right for other environmentally friendly options for getting rid of Rover’s waste.

Doggy “Do” Quick Tips

• Use biodegradable poop bags. Look for the ASTM D6400 specification, which requires bags to degrade at a similar rate as an apple. Once used, toss the bag in the garbage where it will begin to erode.

• Flush it. Use water-soluble bags made of polyvinyl alcohol film. Flush the used bag down the toilet and the septic system or sewage treatment plant takes care of the rest.

• Install a pet waste digester. Dog owners need only drop the waste into these mini-septic systems and add water and digester agent. The liquefied dog poop drains into the surrounding soil, creating nutrient rich dirt.

• Become the bag lady. Use plastic bags that your not so environmentally friendly friends are about to throw out. At the very least, they are put to good use before entering the landfill. 

Jessica A. Knoblauch is a second-year graduate student in the environmental journalism program at MSU and editor of EJ. This is her sixth appearance in EJ. Contact Jessica at knoblau7@msu.edu