A step-by-step guide to building your own backyard dog poop composter

If you're a dog owner, you know that dealing with dog waste is part of the package. But what if you could turn that waste into something useful—like compost? Not only will you help reduce the impact on landfills, but you can also create nutrient-rich soil for your garden. Building your own dog poop composter in your backyard is a simple, eco-friendly solution. Plus, with the right products and tools, it’s easier than you might think.

In this guide, we'll walk you through how to build your own dog poop composter, with tips on composting safely and some recommended products to make the process even easier.

Why compost dog poop?

Before we dive into how to compost dog poop, let’s take a quick look at why you should consider it. Traditional waste disposal methods, like throwing dog poop in plastic bags, contribute to landfill waste and take forever to break down. Composting, on the other hand, allows you to safely and efficiently decompose dog waste into a valuable resource for your garden.

However, it’s important to remember that dog poop is not like typical compost material. It contains pathogens and bacteria that can be harmful to humans, so proper composting techniques and special products are necessary to break it down safely.

What you’ll need to build your poop composter

1. A compost bin or container: You can buy a pre-made compost bin or build your own. An extra-large bucket with lid or clean paint pale will do the trick. We recommend enclosed bins (rather than open compost piles) for dealing with dog waste.
2. Shovel and gardening tools: You’ll need a spade to dig in your compost and a tool (such as garden trowel) for adding the deposits. You’ll also need an aeration tools (you could use your trowel or a garden fork) to turn the waste and keep the pile oxygenated. Handling dog waste requires sanitary precautions, so either use compostable poop bags, use your garden tools, or grab a pair of gloves.
3. Composting starter or accelerator: A composting starter, like Enzopet Pet Waste Starter, helps to break down the dog waste faster by introducing beneficial microbes that neutralise harmful bacteria.
4. Compostable poop bags: Using Ecopack Compostable Poop Bags ensures that you're not adding harmful plastic to the compost pile. These bags break down over time and do not contribute to landfill waste.

Step-by-step guide to building your backyard dog poop composter

Step 1: Choose a location

Pick a spot in your yard that is well-drained and has good airflow. Avoid placing the composter too close to water sources, as dog poop contains pathogens that could contaminate groundwater. Make sure it’s also out of the way of high-traffic areas in your yard – it’s not something you want children playing with!

Step 2: Set up your compost bin

You can buy a ready-made dog poop composter like the Doggie Dooley or create your own using a plastic or metal container with a tight-fitting lid. It’s important that the bin has good drainage to prevent the compost pile from becoming too soggy. If you’re building your own, you can use a large plastic container with holes drilled in the bottom and sides. Make sure your container has a secure lid.

Step 3: Dig it in

For pet poop compost, we recommend going below ground rather than keeping an above ground pile. This way you’ll keep smells at bay and minimise the ick factor. It’s harder to aerate compost below ground so make sure your container has a good number of holes in the sides and bottoms (some people cut the base off altogether). Make sure the top of your container is at least a couple centimetres proud of ground level so that you can always get the lid on and off easily.

Step 3: Add a layer of soil

Place a small amount of soil (at least 5cm) at the bottom of the bin. This will help with drainage and the initial breakdown of waste. The soil also provides a base for the beneficial bacteria that will aid in composting.

Step 4: Add your dog’s deposits

When you’re out for walkies collect your dog’s waste in Ecopack Compostable Poop Bags. These bags will break down naturally along with the poop compost. If you’re collecting deposits from your yard, you can use Ecopack Compostable Poop Bags to handle the waste, or simply scoop the doo with your garden trowel and throw it straight in.

Step 5: Add a compost starter

Once you’ve added the dog waste and the initial layer of soil, it’s time to use a compost starter. Enzopet Pet Waste Starter contains natural enzymes and beneficial bacteria. It speeds up the composting process and ensures that harmful pathogens in the dog poop are neutralised. Sprinkle the starter powder over each layer of waste as you build up the pile.

Step 6: Aerate periodically

To help the compost break down more quickly, use a compost aerator or garden fork to turn the contributions every couple of weeks. Aerating introduces oxygen, which speeds up the breakdown of organic material. The more you aerate, the faster your dog poop compost will decompose.

Step 7: Monitor the process

You want this type of compost to fully break down before you consider using it – and the composting process may take a few months, so be patient. Check the moisture level periodically—your compost should be damp but not soaking wet. If you’re really keen you can also monitor the temperature inside you composter (ideally, it should reach between 55°C to 70°F to kill harmful pathogens.

Step 8: Harvest the compost (but only if you want too!)

The beauty of having a large in-ground compost bucket with no bottom is that it’ll return to the Earth without intervention. After 6-12 months, the dog poop should be fully composted and broken down into dark, crumbly soil. If you want to use as compost then just be sure to only use it in non-edible garden areas, like flower beds or around trees and shrubs. Never use dog poop compost on food crops like your veggie garden or fruit trees, as it may still contain trace amounts of bacteria that could contaminate your produce.

Important tips for safe dog poop composting

1. Do not compost on food gardens: Dog poop compost is not safe for vegetable gardens or edible plants due to potential pathogens. Use it only on ornamental plants, trees, and flowers.
2. Use the right bags: Always use Ecopack compostable poop bags. Other bags may not break down and will stifle your composting efforts.
3. Add other compostables: To keep the pile balanced, consider adding grass clippings, leaves, or sawdust in between layers of dog waste. This will help maintain proper airflow and speed up decomposition.
4. Don’t compost poop from other animals: Dog poop is the only waste that should go in your dog poop composter. Other animals' waste, especially from carnivores like cats, can carry different diseases and bacteria.

Building a dog poop composter in your backyard is a great way to deal with dog waste in an eco-friendly and sustainable manner. With the right tools, compostable bags, and a bit of patience, you can turn your dog’s waste into valuable compost for your garden. Here’s to a greener future!