Dog Waste Removal Advice
The Professional Managers Original Guide to Dog Waste Management
_INTRODUCTION
Professional Property, City, Town, HOA and Park Managers have a challenging task of providing services to residents while maintaining cost control and operational efficiency.
Despite the best efforts of Professional Managers to notify and remind pet owners to curb and pick up after their dogs, Zero Waste USA studies show that providing complete pet waste stations or waste bag dispensers significantly increases clean-up compliance.
The best way to manage dog waste is to install a dog waste system that is cost-effective, eco-friendly and user oriented.
THE LAW
It is the Law nationwide (with few exceptions) that dog owners must clean up after their pets. Fines ranging from $20 to $10,000 are commonplace coast to coast in every state, city and township.
DOG WASTE IS HARMFUL
Dog waste is a major pollutant and contaminant of the water supply. It is a serious health issue. In fact, it is estimated that 1/3 of all water contamination is a result of dog waste run off entering streams and leaching into underground well water. The average dog can produce 274 pounds of waste each year. Disease from dog waste can spread to other dogs, children and adults.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deemed pet waste a "nonpoint source of pollution" in 1991, which puts dog waste in the same category as oil and toxic chemicals. A single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans. The EPA estimates that two or three days' worth of waste from just 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay, and all watershed areas within 20 miles of it, to swimming and shell fishing.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pet waste can contribute to diseases that animals pass to humans, called zoonoses. When infected waste is deposited on the ground, the eggs of certain roundworms and other parasites can linger in the soil for years. Anyone, especially dogs, who comes into contact with that soil, be it through gardening, playing sports, walking barefoot or any other means, runs the risk of coming into contact with the eggs.
Some of the hard-to-pronounce parasites that waste could harbor include Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Salmonella, as well as hookworms, ringworms and tapeworms. Infections from these bugs often cause fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans. Children are most susceptible, since they often play in the dirt and put objects and fingers in their mouth or eyes.
WHY PROPERTY MANAGERS NEED TO PROVIDE PET WASTE STATIONS
Even though the Law requires dog owners to clean up after their pets, not all dog owners are responsible or community minded.
By providing a highly visible system, Professional Managers can create a prominent awareness of each dog owner's responsibility and produce greater compliance.
In addition, pro-active installation of pet waste systems has other benefits:
1) A higher level of compliance: Dog owners are more likely to clean up after their pets if they are provided with dog waste bags and waste containers . Owners will feel more responsible if a system is provided and they realize someone is 'monitoring'. It becomes socially unacceptable for a pet owner to allow their dog to soil the grounds when a convenient pick-up bag and trash container is provided. Dog owners feel a sense of connection with the Property's management when progressive steps are taken to solve the pet waste problem.
2) Contained Waste: Waste is contained to one specialized location when pet waste stations are provided. This is a better solution than owners using their own bags and dropping waste into other trash cans, down storm drains, dumpsters, or taking it back to their residences and flushing bags down toilets or co-mingling with other household trash. The best solution to solve the problem of dog waste is to provide Pet Waste Stations.
3) Happier Dog Owners: By providing specialized waste bags and waste containers, dog owners appreciate the level of attention and concern that the Property's Management has for the pet owning residents, enhancing the value of their ownership and justification of rental rates, management fees, pet license fees and/or taxes.
4) Happier Non-Dog Owners: As pleased as dog owners will be, so will non-owners. "Dog-less" residents will greatly appreciate the cleaner environment.
5) Health Reasons: Dog waste contains bacteria and disease. Almost 33% of all pollutants in waterways are attributed to dog waste pollutants originating from rainwater run-off via sewer systems, and dogs soiling near watersheds or beaches. Dog waste is the third highest contributor to bacteria in contaminated waters. Dog waste can spread bacteria and disease to children, adults and other dogs.
6)Economics: It is far less expensive to provide waste bags and waste containers than it is to clean up soiled areas, handle resident complaints regarding soiled grounds and deal with local, state or federal violations.
For Property Managers, one unhappy tenant who doesn't renew equals a unit not rented. That could cost the property, in lost rent, more than the entire cost of supplying that property with waste bags for a year. It might even cost a management company a contract renewal for the whole property. It makes sense to make residents and tenants happy.
For Municipalities, City and State Managers, eliminating resident complaints and reducing environmental pollution improves overall Management approval and continued support from the electorate.
INSTALLATION OF STATIONS AND DISPENSERS
Installation of pet waste stations or dispensers is very easy. The first one takes 30 minutes, then the subsequent units will install in 20 minutes or less.
There are 3 options for pet waste station installation:
1) Property Maintenance Personnel: Installation by your regular maintenance crew.
2) Pet Waste Removal Services: There are local pet waste removal services that will install and maintain waste stations, empty bins, and re-stock the waste dispenser bags weekly. Such as, GT Wulf in Corpus Christi, TX.
3) Independent Contractor: Any competent handyman or contactor can follow the easy installation directions provided with stations and dispensers.
EMPTYING AND SERVICING THE CONTAINERS AND DISPENSERS
1) Property Maintenance: On a weekly basis property or park maintenance personnel replace filled can liners and re-fill the bag dispensers.
2) Home Owners Associations: If a property maintenance staff is not present, then the HOA can solicit a volunteer to administer the can emptying and bag dispenser refill each week.
3) Outside Services: There local pet waste removal services that will change waste container bags weekly and re-stock the waste dispenser bags. Such as, GT Wulf in Corpus Christi, TX.
TYPES OF PET WASTE STATIONS
The best dog waste stations and dispensers are made of Aluminum and not poly plastic resin. Aluminum stations last longer and withstand daily use better than poly resin or plastic units. Poly resin stations tend to fade, crack and suffer more damage, intentional or unintentional, than sturdy aluminum units.
Vertical stations (post, dispenser, can) tend to provide a better value and more flexibility than one-piece, valet type units, because you can replace and change the various components if necessary. With a one-piece unit there are less options and flexibility.
Stations with key-locking bag dispensers are preferred over non-locking dispensers and will result is less bag waste.
COMPLETE STATIONS vs. DISPENSERS
If your location already has trash cans, you can install a dispenser and sign on a post next to the trash can for disposal of pet waste bags. However, most Professional Managers recommended installing a complete pet waste station (pole, sign, dispenser, can) to keep pet waste separate from the general trash.
LOCKING CAN vs. NON-LOCKING CAN
If you have concerns about or past experience with vandalism, then a locking can is the preferred option. Locking cans, like the Gladiator (www.gtwulf.com/products.html) provide a secure, lockable can that prevents mischief and restricts disposal to small items only. A non-locking can, like the Round or Square can (www.gtwulf.com/products.html) provides an equally effective, non-locking can solution.
TYPES OF WASTE BAGS
There are 2 types of bags on the market, Roll Bags and Flat Pack or "mitt-style" Bags, also called Single Pull waste bags.
Roll Bags: a continuous roll with a perforation between each bag enabling the user to pull out and tear off as many bags as they desire. The potential waste of using this type of bag is that users often pull out several bags when they only need one, and then end up throwing out (wasting) extra bags along with the bag they actually used.
Flat Packed or Single Pull bags: Bags are packed flat in a stack, with a built-in tab that is designed to dispense one bag at a time, eliminating the waste, and added expense, of the roll bag system.
Flat Pack/Single Pull bags usually reduce bag usage versus Roll Bags as much as 70%. Single Pull (sometimes called "mitt-style") bags are the most economical, eco-friendly bags available.
California Disclaimer: We do not make any claims regarding our bags in terms of "biodegradable" or "degradable" or "decompostable" or in any way imply that the bags will break down in a landfill to any customer in the State of California. California has a specific ASTM6400 Standard for plastic bags. All oxo-biodegradable bags, including competitors', do not meet the California ASTM6400 standard.
If you are starting a new program it makes sense to use the GT Wulf Earth Friendly dog waste bags. It would even be cost effective to switch existing roll bag dispensers to Single Pull bag dispensers to realize the usage savings of Single Pull bags.
FEES FOR RESIDENTS
Many Communities implement a small 'pet fee' or 'license fee' to help recover the costs of installing a pet waste system. By creating pet fees, the cost of paying for pet waste stations and bags is more fairly shouldered by pet owners.
Pet Resident Fees and Pet License Fees are perceived as a fair system by both pet and non-pet owners.
SIGNS
Most waste stations and dispensers come with pet waste signs that identify and provide usage instructions. Make certain that these signs are kept clean and unobstructed. Signs should have both a picture symbol and text.
RESIDENT NOTIFICATION
Once you have installed your Stations or Dispensers, it is IMPORTANT to inform the residents. An effective NOTICE should contain the following:
1) Where the Stations are located.
2) How to use the Stations and bags.
3) Regulations/Laws requiring their use.
4) Importance to all residents of making sure everyone complies.
LOCATION AND QUANTITY OF STATIONS
Condo/Apartment/HOA:
It is recommend that you install ONE station for every 50 apartment/condo units, or if the units are in clusters of less than 50, that you place one station for each housing cluster. Monitor the usage and install additional stations if the cans are filling up or the dispensers are running out of bags more than once a week.
Parks:
For Parks, place one unit every 500 feet within the Park. You should then monitor the usage and install additional stations if the cans are filling up or the dispensers are running out of bags more than once a week.
A good "rule of thumb" is to provide one station for every 50 dogs that would pass by the station each day. For example, a park visited by 500 dogs a day would need 10 stations.
Studies show that cleaner Parks are utilized more often by residents resulting in a higher level of resident satisfaction with their local government.
Dog Parks:
Dog Parks, particularly on weekends, are busy places. In general, Dog Parks should have twice the number of stations than a normal 'Park' might have. There should be a pet waste station located immediately outside the Dog Park area as well as multiple stations inside the Dog Park. Bag usage on weekends can be up to 10 times the daily usage levels, so the person(s) managing the Dog Park need to provide for dispenser refilling and can emptying on a regular basis throughout the weekend. Choose dispensers that hold more bags, and cans that are larger and require less emptying to reduce service intervals.
SECURITY AND VANDALISM
It is recommended that you use stations that have lockable waste containers and lockable bag dispensers to prevent unauthorized use, vandalism and theft.
There are only a few stations available that provide a locking container. One of the best locking containers is the Gladiator, supplied by www.gtwulf.com/products.html.
SUPPLIERS
Choose a supplier that specializes in dog waste stations or pet waste management solutions.
CONCLUSION
Professional Managers can greatly improve the quality of pet-friendly outdoor grounds and facilities by installing and maintaining Pet Waste Stations. Select an experienced supplier that understands your professional needs, your high level of service commitment to residents, and your balancing of cost controls and operational efficiency.
Professional Property, City, Town, HOA and Park Managers have a challenging task of providing services to residents while maintaining cost control and operational efficiency.
Despite the best efforts of Professional Managers to notify and remind pet owners to curb and pick up after their dogs, Zero Waste USA studies show that providing complete pet waste stations or waste bag dispensers significantly increases clean-up compliance.
The best way to manage dog waste is to install a dog waste system that is cost-effective, eco-friendly and user oriented.
THE LAW
It is the Law nationwide (with few exceptions) that dog owners must clean up after their pets. Fines ranging from $20 to $10,000 are commonplace coast to coast in every state, city and township.
DOG WASTE IS HARMFUL
Dog waste is a major pollutant and contaminant of the water supply. It is a serious health issue. In fact, it is estimated that 1/3 of all water contamination is a result of dog waste run off entering streams and leaching into underground well water. The average dog can produce 274 pounds of waste each year. Disease from dog waste can spread to other dogs, children and adults.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deemed pet waste a "nonpoint source of pollution" in 1991, which puts dog waste in the same category as oil and toxic chemicals. A single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans. The EPA estimates that two or three days' worth of waste from just 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay, and all watershed areas within 20 miles of it, to swimming and shell fishing.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pet waste can contribute to diseases that animals pass to humans, called zoonoses. When infected waste is deposited on the ground, the eggs of certain roundworms and other parasites can linger in the soil for years. Anyone, especially dogs, who comes into contact with that soil, be it through gardening, playing sports, walking barefoot or any other means, runs the risk of coming into contact with the eggs.
Some of the hard-to-pronounce parasites that waste could harbor include Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Salmonella, as well as hookworms, ringworms and tapeworms. Infections from these bugs often cause fever, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea in humans. Children are most susceptible, since they often play in the dirt and put objects and fingers in their mouth or eyes.
WHY PROPERTY MANAGERS NEED TO PROVIDE PET WASTE STATIONS
Even though the Law requires dog owners to clean up after their pets, not all dog owners are responsible or community minded.
By providing a highly visible system, Professional Managers can create a prominent awareness of each dog owner's responsibility and produce greater compliance.
In addition, pro-active installation of pet waste systems has other benefits:
1) A higher level of compliance: Dog owners are more likely to clean up after their pets if they are provided with dog waste bags and waste containers . Owners will feel more responsible if a system is provided and they realize someone is 'monitoring'. It becomes socially unacceptable for a pet owner to allow their dog to soil the grounds when a convenient pick-up bag and trash container is provided. Dog owners feel a sense of connection with the Property's management when progressive steps are taken to solve the pet waste problem.
2) Contained Waste: Waste is contained to one specialized location when pet waste stations are provided. This is a better solution than owners using their own bags and dropping waste into other trash cans, down storm drains, dumpsters, or taking it back to their residences and flushing bags down toilets or co-mingling with other household trash. The best solution to solve the problem of dog waste is to provide Pet Waste Stations.
3) Happier Dog Owners: By providing specialized waste bags and waste containers, dog owners appreciate the level of attention and concern that the Property's Management has for the pet owning residents, enhancing the value of their ownership and justification of rental rates, management fees, pet license fees and/or taxes.
4) Happier Non-Dog Owners: As pleased as dog owners will be, so will non-owners. "Dog-less" residents will greatly appreciate the cleaner environment.
5) Health Reasons: Dog waste contains bacteria and disease. Almost 33% of all pollutants in waterways are attributed to dog waste pollutants originating from rainwater run-off via sewer systems, and dogs soiling near watersheds or beaches. Dog waste is the third highest contributor to bacteria in contaminated waters. Dog waste can spread bacteria and disease to children, adults and other dogs.
6)Economics: It is far less expensive to provide waste bags and waste containers than it is to clean up soiled areas, handle resident complaints regarding soiled grounds and deal with local, state or federal violations.
For Property Managers, one unhappy tenant who doesn't renew equals a unit not rented. That could cost the property, in lost rent, more than the entire cost of supplying that property with waste bags for a year. It might even cost a management company a contract renewal for the whole property. It makes sense to make residents and tenants happy.
For Municipalities, City and State Managers, eliminating resident complaints and reducing environmental pollution improves overall Management approval and continued support from the electorate.
INSTALLATION OF STATIONS AND DISPENSERS
Installation of pet waste stations or dispensers is very easy. The first one takes 30 minutes, then the subsequent units will install in 20 minutes or less.
There are 3 options for pet waste station installation:
1) Property Maintenance Personnel: Installation by your regular maintenance crew.
2) Pet Waste Removal Services: There are local pet waste removal services that will install and maintain waste stations, empty bins, and re-stock the waste dispenser bags weekly. Such as, GT Wulf in Corpus Christi, TX.
3) Independent Contractor: Any competent handyman or contactor can follow the easy installation directions provided with stations and dispensers.
EMPTYING AND SERVICING THE CONTAINERS AND DISPENSERS
1) Property Maintenance: On a weekly basis property or park maintenance personnel replace filled can liners and re-fill the bag dispensers.
2) Home Owners Associations: If a property maintenance staff is not present, then the HOA can solicit a volunteer to administer the can emptying and bag dispenser refill each week.
3) Outside Services: There local pet waste removal services that will change waste container bags weekly and re-stock the waste dispenser bags. Such as, GT Wulf in Corpus Christi, TX.
TYPES OF PET WASTE STATIONS
The best dog waste stations and dispensers are made of Aluminum and not poly plastic resin. Aluminum stations last longer and withstand daily use better than poly resin or plastic units. Poly resin stations tend to fade, crack and suffer more damage, intentional or unintentional, than sturdy aluminum units.
Vertical stations (post, dispenser, can) tend to provide a better value and more flexibility than one-piece, valet type units, because you can replace and change the various components if necessary. With a one-piece unit there are less options and flexibility.
Stations with key-locking bag dispensers are preferred over non-locking dispensers and will result is less bag waste.
COMPLETE STATIONS vs. DISPENSERS
If your location already has trash cans, you can install a dispenser and sign on a post next to the trash can for disposal of pet waste bags. However, most Professional Managers recommended installing a complete pet waste station (pole, sign, dispenser, can) to keep pet waste separate from the general trash.
LOCKING CAN vs. NON-LOCKING CAN
If you have concerns about or past experience with vandalism, then a locking can is the preferred option. Locking cans, like the Gladiator (www.gtwulf.com/products.html) provide a secure, lockable can that prevents mischief and restricts disposal to small items only. A non-locking can, like the Round or Square can (www.gtwulf.com/products.html) provides an equally effective, non-locking can solution.
TYPES OF WASTE BAGS
There are 2 types of bags on the market, Roll Bags and Flat Pack or "mitt-style" Bags, also called Single Pull waste bags.
Roll Bags: a continuous roll with a perforation between each bag enabling the user to pull out and tear off as many bags as they desire. The potential waste of using this type of bag is that users often pull out several bags when they only need one, and then end up throwing out (wasting) extra bags along with the bag they actually used.
Flat Packed or Single Pull bags: Bags are packed flat in a stack, with a built-in tab that is designed to dispense one bag at a time, eliminating the waste, and added expense, of the roll bag system.
Flat Pack/Single Pull bags usually reduce bag usage versus Roll Bags as much as 70%. Single Pull (sometimes called "mitt-style") bags are the most economical, eco-friendly bags available.
California Disclaimer: We do not make any claims regarding our bags in terms of "biodegradable" or "degradable" or "decompostable" or in any way imply that the bags will break down in a landfill to any customer in the State of California. California has a specific ASTM6400 Standard for plastic bags. All oxo-biodegradable bags, including competitors', do not meet the California ASTM6400 standard.
If you are starting a new program it makes sense to use the GT Wulf Earth Friendly dog waste bags. It would even be cost effective to switch existing roll bag dispensers to Single Pull bag dispensers to realize the usage savings of Single Pull bags.
FEES FOR RESIDENTS
Many Communities implement a small 'pet fee' or 'license fee' to help recover the costs of installing a pet waste system. By creating pet fees, the cost of paying for pet waste stations and bags is more fairly shouldered by pet owners.
Pet Resident Fees and Pet License Fees are perceived as a fair system by both pet and non-pet owners.
SIGNS
Most waste stations and dispensers come with pet waste signs that identify and provide usage instructions. Make certain that these signs are kept clean and unobstructed. Signs should have both a picture symbol and text.
RESIDENT NOTIFICATION
Once you have installed your Stations or Dispensers, it is IMPORTANT to inform the residents. An effective NOTICE should contain the following:
1) Where the Stations are located.
2) How to use the Stations and bags.
3) Regulations/Laws requiring their use.
4) Importance to all residents of making sure everyone complies.
LOCATION AND QUANTITY OF STATIONS
Condo/Apartment/HOA:
It is recommend that you install ONE station for every 50 apartment/condo units, or if the units are in clusters of less than 50, that you place one station for each housing cluster. Monitor the usage and install additional stations if the cans are filling up or the dispensers are running out of bags more than once a week.
Parks:
For Parks, place one unit every 500 feet within the Park. You should then monitor the usage and install additional stations if the cans are filling up or the dispensers are running out of bags more than once a week.
A good "rule of thumb" is to provide one station for every 50 dogs that would pass by the station each day. For example, a park visited by 500 dogs a day would need 10 stations.
Studies show that cleaner Parks are utilized more often by residents resulting in a higher level of resident satisfaction with their local government.
Dog Parks:
Dog Parks, particularly on weekends, are busy places. In general, Dog Parks should have twice the number of stations than a normal 'Park' might have. There should be a pet waste station located immediately outside the Dog Park area as well as multiple stations inside the Dog Park. Bag usage on weekends can be up to 10 times the daily usage levels, so the person(s) managing the Dog Park need to provide for dispenser refilling and can emptying on a regular basis throughout the weekend. Choose dispensers that hold more bags, and cans that are larger and require less emptying to reduce service intervals.
SECURITY AND VANDALISM
It is recommended that you use stations that have lockable waste containers and lockable bag dispensers to prevent unauthorized use, vandalism and theft.
There are only a few stations available that provide a locking container. One of the best locking containers is the Gladiator, supplied by www.gtwulf.com/products.html.
SUPPLIERS
Choose a supplier that specializes in dog waste stations or pet waste management solutions.
CONCLUSION
Professional Managers can greatly improve the quality of pet-friendly outdoor grounds and facilities by installing and maintaining Pet Waste Stations. Select an experienced supplier that understands your professional needs, your high level of service commitment to residents, and your balancing of cost controls and operational efficiency.
