Are you properly disposing of pet waste in Modesto? Here’s what the city says to do
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Talking Trash in Modesto
A multi-part series by The Modesto Bee
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Are you properly disposing of pet waste in Modesto? Here’s what the city says to do
Editor’s note: This is the fifth in a multi-part series about waste disposal in the Modesto area.
From food scraps to empty milk jugs, the city of Modesto has guidelines on how to properly dispose of garbage.
What about pet waste such as dog poop and kitty litter? Should it go in the organic bin, the trash, or be left behind?
According to Modesto city regulations, here’s where pet waste belongs:
How do I dispose of pet waste in Modesto?
Pet waste should be thrown into the black garbage container, according to the city of Modesto’s website.
“The black container is for household garbage and non-organic materials,” the city website says.
Waste from this bin is sent to a waste-to-energy facility, such as the Stanislaus County’s Covanta plant, where it is incinerated to generate electricity.
When pet waste is not disposed of properly, it can add harmful bacteria and nutrients to water.
This can cause an excessive growth of algae and weeds, as well as murky, green and smelly water that’s unsafe for both wildlife and humans, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
It’s important to pick up after your pets at home because some diseases can be transmitted into the soil, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Another option for disposing of pet waste is flushing it down the toilet.
Wastewater from toilets goes to sewage treatment plants, which remove most pollutants before the water reaches rivers or streams, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
However, you should not flush dog waste bags, cat litter, or any debris, to prevent a clogged toilet. Flush only the waste itself.
What else goes in black trash container in Modesto?
The city’s website says the following kinds of garbage are allowed in the black container:
- Animal waste and litter box debris
- Diapers
- Flocked and treated holiday trees
- Household garbage or trash
- Masks, gloves and wipes
- Bathroom waste and feminine hygiene products
- Plastic bags and packaging (nonrecyclable plastic)
- Polystyrene items
- Lumber and small pieces of wood
Organic waste, recyclable material, dirt, rocks, concrete, asphalt and hazardous, toxic and e-waste material are not allowed in black bins, according to the city’s website.
What questions do you have about Modesto’s waste systems?
Trash is an unavoidable part of daily life in Modesto, but what happens after it’s collected remains a mystery for many.
Modesto, we’re here to answer your questions on waste, whether they’re about trash sorting, landfills or anything in between.
The Modesto Bee wants to know what’s on your mind.
You can submit questions directly to our reporters by emailing The Bee’s Angela Rodriguez at arodriguez@modbee.com, writing to our service journalism desk at servicejournalists@modbee.com, or filling out the form below.
You may be contacted by a Modesto Bee reporter.
