So you’ve got a local poo problem?
The problem
Dog poo left unbagged and unbinned is nasty and as well as all the health hazards (to humans, pets and livestock) and the ickiness, it can create a lot of tension within the local community. So solutions to the problem need to:
What the research says
One of the main dynamics is described in a Scottish report on littering: “….high levels of existing litter meant it was ‘the norm’ to litter, and therefore considered it permissible. As well as being indicative of the social norm, existing litter levels create the impression that further littering does not ‘count’, as the site is already dirty.” So it’s vital to not only have clean, poo-free spaces, but also to publicise this. Conversely, it’s important to avoid anything which reinforces the area’s reputation as being one where lots of people don’t bag and bin dog poo.
Worth considering
Having a community dog group, to increase awareness about dog fouling & to generate and implement ideas to resolve the situation. (Also to socialise, share dog care, support each other with dog problems, bereavement etc.) For example, if the main dog walking area has one or two entrances/exits, it might be worth trying a signing-in, signing out system for a while. Along with name, people would tick a box committing to picking up after their dogs. This sort of public commitment has been found to result in much higher levels of sticking to agreements (from voting to reusing hotel towels!) And the process would make picking up a more prominent feature in people's minds during the walk, whatever other distractions of dogs, phones, nature, humans etc might occur. It might also help identify patterns of poo being left unbinned.
Joining one of the community ‘clean spaces’ groups eg: These require some setting up, co-ordination & other tasks which take time and local co-operation, but it might be that after initial success, the situation and culture is sufficiently improved not to require a ‘scheme’.
Most people with dogs recognise that we all sometimes “miss a dollop” for all sorts of reasons, and many of us make up for this by picking up any dog poo we see. (Please see Job Done section of this website.) This is a more targeted version of the well-established community litter-picking, and many people also pick up any other stray litter they find. Thousands of people around the country already do this but incentives could be added such as ‘poo ninjas’ being given free poo bags and free Dicky Bags (portable temporary sealable carriers for used bags).
A sign has gone up on all poo bins in our village, based on advice picked up from the excellent Small Big Changes book by the social marketing guru Robert Cialdini and colleagues.
Worth avoiding
Anything which reinforces the impression that there is an out of control situation, as this has the opposite effect to people striving to maintain a lovely clean space. In other words, people can think the problem is so bad that one more poo lying around doesn't make any difference. So however tempting it might be to mark the messes with flags or (yikes!) paint etc, this usually makes things worse, not helping with the littering and fuelling resentment among people with and without dogs. It makes the space uglier and advertises it as a poo free-for-all. The solution is to clear the space, eg through a community litter and poo pick-up, and then advertise what a gorgeous, pristine place it is - and working together to ensure it stays like that. Thanking people and reminding them to continue to pick up to keep the place lovely is much more likely to have the desired effect.
Links
Rapid evidence review of littering behaviour and anti-litter policies
https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/sites/default/files/Rapid%20Evidence%20Review%20of%20Littering%20Behaviour%20and%20Anti-Litter%20Policies.pdf
Green dog walkers https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/bins-rubbish-recycling/rubbish-litter/dog-fouling/green-dog-walkers.aspx
Doodoowatch https://dollarcdt.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/community-instructions.pdf
Walk this way https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/news/dog-owners-%E2%80%9Cwalk-way%E2%80%9D-cleaner-green-spaces
Job Done - Poo-free pavements & parks through picking up others’ dogs’ poo https://www.helpily.org/job-done.html
The problem
Dog poo left unbagged and unbinned is nasty and as well as all the health hazards (to humans, pets and livestock) and the ickiness, it can create a lot of tension within the local community. So solutions to the problem need to:
- Greatly reduce dog fouling and ideally have everything bagged & binned by end of day
- End any tension between local people (& perhaps visitors if non-resident dogs are part of the problem)
- Create a pleasant environment everywhere, including no unsightly or aggressive signs about dog fouling
What the research says
One of the main dynamics is described in a Scottish report on littering: “….high levels of existing litter meant it was ‘the norm’ to litter, and therefore considered it permissible. As well as being indicative of the social norm, existing litter levels create the impression that further littering does not ‘count’, as the site is already dirty.” So it’s vital to not only have clean, poo-free spaces, but also to publicise this. Conversely, it’s important to avoid anything which reinforces the area’s reputation as being one where lots of people don’t bag and bin dog poo.
Worth considering
Having a community dog group, to increase awareness about dog fouling & to generate and implement ideas to resolve the situation. (Also to socialise, share dog care, support each other with dog problems, bereavement etc.) For example, if the main dog walking area has one or two entrances/exits, it might be worth trying a signing-in, signing out system for a while. Along with name, people would tick a box committing to picking up after their dogs. This sort of public commitment has been found to result in much higher levels of sticking to agreements (from voting to reusing hotel towels!) And the process would make picking up a more prominent feature in people's minds during the walk, whatever other distractions of dogs, phones, nature, humans etc might occur. It might also help identify patterns of poo being left unbinned.
Joining one of the community ‘clean spaces’ groups eg: These require some setting up, co-ordination & other tasks which take time and local co-operation, but it might be that after initial success, the situation and culture is sufficiently improved not to require a ‘scheme’.
Most people with dogs recognise that we all sometimes “miss a dollop” for all sorts of reasons, and many of us make up for this by picking up any dog poo we see. (Please see Job Done section of this website.) This is a more targeted version of the well-established community litter-picking, and many people also pick up any other stray litter they find. Thousands of people around the country already do this but incentives could be added such as ‘poo ninjas’ being given free poo bags and free Dicky Bags (portable temporary sealable carriers for used bags).
A sign has gone up on all poo bins in our village, based on advice picked up from the excellent Small Big Changes book by the social marketing guru Robert Cialdini and colleagues.
Worth avoiding
Anything which reinforces the impression that there is an out of control situation, as this has the opposite effect to people striving to maintain a lovely clean space. In other words, people can think the problem is so bad that one more poo lying around doesn't make any difference. So however tempting it might be to mark the messes with flags or (yikes!) paint etc, this usually makes things worse, not helping with the littering and fuelling resentment among people with and without dogs. It makes the space uglier and advertises it as a poo free-for-all. The solution is to clear the space, eg through a community litter and poo pick-up, and then advertise what a gorgeous, pristine place it is - and working together to ensure it stays like that. Thanking people and reminding them to continue to pick up to keep the place lovely is much more likely to have the desired effect.
Links
Rapid evidence review of littering behaviour and anti-litter policies
https://www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/sites/default/files/Rapid%20Evidence%20Review%20of%20Littering%20Behaviour%20and%20Anti-Litter%20Policies.pdf
Green dog walkers https://www.falkirk.gov.uk/services/bins-rubbish-recycling/rubbish-litter/dog-fouling/green-dog-walkers.aspx
Doodoowatch https://dollarcdt.files.wordpress.com/2018/06/community-instructions.pdf
Walk this way https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/news/dog-owners-%E2%80%9Cwalk-way%E2%80%9D-cleaner-green-spaces
Job Done - Poo-free pavements & parks through picking up others’ dogs’ poo https://www.helpily.org/job-done.html
