There's
great news for city dog owners. The Chicago Department of Streets
and Sanitation recently signed a contract with Have Doggie, we"ll
Doo, a company specializing in canine waste management, to install
biodegradable dog waste bags on city streets. "I think it's
a wonderful thing the city is doing", says Have Doggie, We'll
Doo!! owner Diane Rossi. The bags, Rossi says will encourage dog
owners to be more responsible in picking up after their pooches.
Streets and Sanitation, which is installing the bag dispensers at
locations throughout the 43rd Ward, hopes that the bags will cut
down on waste, both on the streets, and in the city sewer system.
Rossi says that many dog owners pick up their dog's waste in a plastic
bag, but then toss the bag onto the street or near a sewer grate.
The bags then wash down into the sewers, causing backups in the
pipes, and headaches for city workers. The Have Doggie, We'll Doo!
bags, made from vegetable and wheat starches, break down in a matter
of weeks, so that sewers will remain unclogged. And having the dispensers
visible on the city streets will hopefully serve as reminder to
folks to pick up after their pets, cutting down on the health hazards
and rodent problems that errant dog waste may cause.
The bags may also eliminate some discussion at city meetings where,
Rossi says, the debate invariably turns toward sanitation issues.
"It doesn't matter what (the meeting) is for", she says,
"it always comes down to dog poo"
Aside from the current deal with Streets and Sanitation, Rossi has
big plans for her biodegradable bags. If the pilot program is successful
in the 43rd Ward, the city will likely sign on additional wards.
But Rossi is looking forward to bigger and better things for her
bags. She is currently imports the bags from a manufacturer in Australia,
but plans to open her own manufacturing plant here in Chicago.
Once that's done, Rossi plans to approach other companies about
her bags. Supermarkets could replace their plastic shopping bags,
with biodegradable ones. Newspapers could have a great new way to
cover their papers for delivery. And for picnics and parties, hosts
could provide biodegradable cups and plates to their guest.
The dog waste bags are available at fifty dispensers mounted on
posts at select corners in the 43rd Ward, which is bordered roughly
by Diversey on the north, North Ave. on the south, Southport on
the west, and Lake Michigan on the east. Consumers can also purchase
the bags and dispensers directly from Have Doggie, We'll Doo. Rossi
also runs a dog waste cleanup service for homeowners.
Molly Birk - April 2002 issue Conscious Choice
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