In defense of garbage can exclusivity
Dogs are wonderful creatures. But they are creatures, thus they poop. (Everyone does.) And that poop is often stinky, even when bagged. Dropping that packet of poop in a garbage will often make said can smell, especially if the weathers warm. And if its not your dog, why should you have to put up with that? Picking up poop and dealing with it is like a tax for having a dog — its not fair to make someone else pay a portion of that.
This rule is true for a garbage can set out at the curb the night before because, again, poop smells and those bags also somtimes fail if squished.
Its especially true for cans that stand empty along the street after that mornings trash pick-up, because now youre consigning the can owner to hold that poop for an entire week.
Another thing: Garbage cans have limited capacity. Adding something to someone elses can is taking space from them, which in some places is not just inconsiderate but could cost that person a fee. (This is not true in Albany — which currently has more or less unlimited residential garbage pickup — but that will almost certainly be changing in the next few years.) And sure, a small bag of dog poop doesnt take up much room, but where do you draw the line?
Also: Its just plain tacky to drop your dogs poop off like that. We all have our own shit to deal with in life, so deal with yours.
Line your can with a 40-gallon trash bag
From an environmental standpoint, the idea of pre-lining your trash can with a plastic bag to then fill it with plastic bags full of more unrecyclable plastic strikes me as a wee bit wasteful, but people do it, and it solves the issue because your trash haulers then just need to pull out one giant bag.
The goal here isn’t to make your life—or the lives of your garbage collectors—harder, but just to make it mildly more challenging for people strolling back from the park to use your can and not a public one.
One commenter had a great suggestion: Add a smaller bag-lined bin and a sign that says “Dog poop here!” so people can throw their poop bags into that can. You bag it up, toss it into your otherwise locked-down can, and everyone is happy.
I’ve been tempted to point our budget pick for the best outdoor security camera, the Wyze Cam v3, at my sidewalk to catch those filthy beasts (the owners, not the dogs) in the act. Priced at less than $40 and equipped with great night vision, it’s probably worth the effort just so I can get some sleep. “This camera is cheap, easy to install, and can distinguish between people, pets, cars, packages, and general motion,” says senior staff writer Rachel Cericola. “It does require an outlet, though; if you don’t have one of those nearby, consider a battery-operated camera like the Arlo Pro 4.” This option won’t stop the actual trash-slinging from happening unless you rush out to the garbage can right as the crime is happening, but it could be a deterrent if you also put up a sign saying “Smile! You’re on camera.”
In defense of dropping it while it’s hot
Dogs are wonderful creatures. They bring joy to many people, and theyre often good for neighborhoods because they help bring people together. (Despite the question often being asked, can we not all agree on whos a good boy?) If having dog poop dropped in your garbage can every so often is like having to pay a portion of the dog tax, thats not terribly unfair because we all benefit from having dogs around.
Additionally, the smell of bagged dog poop is not that bad. And, really, there are probably things just as foul smelling (or worse) in your garbage already.
You know what is a real, stinky neighborhood problem? Dog poop that isnt picked up. Being OK with people dropping a bag of poop into a garbage can is another way to encourage people to do the right thing, especially when public garbage cans arent present.
Also: Come on, a bag of dog poop just doesnt take up that much room.