City of Waterloo celebrates Earth Day with Puppy Poop Power

As residents in the City of Waterloo and around the world celebrate Earth Day by considering ways to live more sustainably, local dog owners are encouraged to take advantage of the poop power dog waste disposal units around the city. Since 2017, the City of Waterloo has installed 22 of the green poop power dog waste disposal units around parks and trails, and diverted over 41,000 kgs (over 90,000 lbs) of dog waste from our local landfill. That converts into enough green energy to power about 25 homes for a year.

Picking up after your dog is the responsible and environmentally friendly thing to do. Dog waste left behind is not only unsightly and smelly, but can negatively impact our local creeks, river and groundwater as it breaks down. Even when responsible dog owners pick up after their dogs, open containers full of dog waste are unpleasant, and potential health risks for staff emptying them.

Any type of plastic bag is suitable for the poop power containers, they don’t have to be compostable. The dog waste is stored underground away from other park and trail users, where cooler temperatures help control the smell. Special trucks lift and empty the containers, and the waste is taken to be converted into green energy.

Use our Poop Power dog waste disposal unit map to find the green poop post closest to you. This year for Earth Day, take our Puppy Poop Power Challenge, and change your dog walking route to include one of the green poop posts to get rid of your dog waste. Scan the Puppy Poop Power QR code on the post to enter our draw for one of 20 Puppy Poop Power Prize Packages. For a bonus entry, take a photo of you and your dog with the poop post, and tag us on Facebook or Instagram @citywaterloo using the hashtag #PuppyPoopPower.

As the city continues to develop, more poop power units will be installed in popular dog walking areas that can be easily accessed by the special collection trucks. The green posts will be included at the new leash-free dog park to be built on Copper Street in the west end of the city.

For more information about sustainable dog waste disposal, please visit www.waterloo.ca/animals. 

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Media contact:
Cari Van Niekerk
Manager, Corporate Communications
cari.vanniekerk@waterloo.ca