Archive for March 2008
POTW = Doggie Doo Disposal System
(POTW = Project of the Week, on my 40 weeks to a better home idea)
Okay….now, I don’t want you all to judge me. I really don’t.
I know the project this week is a little out there….a little far fetched.
But I’m doing it. I’m making a little mini septic tank for doggy doo.
That’s right.
The plans say “composter” but to me, compost implies that at some point I will be wanting to use that crap (literally!) as fertilizer, and I’m not. My hope is to never touch the stuff. Supposedly, it is okay to use on your NON EDIBLE garden. Never put poo from a meat eater (like dogs or people) on anything you will consume. It’s teeming with bacteria and will taint your veggies! But I have no plans of every using this for compost, so we’re calling it a septic tank!
I’ve had a problem with the poo ever since we got the dog. The problem is that we’re taking poo….which is very gross, nasty, and stinky……but natural and biodegradable….and encasing it in plastic. Basically, mummifying it and preserving it for all time in it’s very own plastic shroud. That’s just not right!
I know, you can buy biodegradable bags for it…..but they are expensive. And there’s still resources being used to produce those bags, packaging, etc.
So here’s the rough idea. You get a plastic something or other with a lid. You cut the bottom out and drill lots of holes in the side. Then you dig a hole. Put a layer of rocks on the bottom…then set your open bottom thingy in there. Put some more rocks in it. Backfill the dirt level to the top.
Then, when you need to, put in the poo. Throw in some of those natural septic enzymes, some water….then put the lid on and ignore it.
There you have it. That’s what I plan to do this week. Without a doubt….digging the whole will be the hardest part. I got a Sterlite 24 quart garbage can (with a snap on lid…..don’t want the lid blowing off that puppy in the next windstorm). I’ll cut the bottom and drill the holes tonight, then dig on Wednesday. We have a small dog, to that size should be sufficient.
Wish me luck! I’ll take some pics (but will leave the poo out for those! I’ll spare you that!)
