Scoop the poop

The small habit that can make a big difference.

Across Cornwall, dog walking is part of everyday life, from windswept coastal paths to peaceful inland trails and farmland. But when dog waste is left behind, it can cause significant environmental harm. Using simple solutions such as a Dicky Bag can make responsible disposal easier and more convenient.

Dog waste commonly contains harmful bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, along with parasites like roundworms. These pathogens can survive in soil for months. In areas where children play, livestock graze, or people picnic, this contamination poses real risks. Cornwall’s frequent rainfall can wash uncollected
waste into streams and rivers, spreading pollution downstream.

Dog waste is also high in nitrogen and phosphorus. When it enters waterways, it can contribute to algal blooms. These blooms reduce oxygen in the water, harming fish and aquatic life, and can affect bathing water quality along Cornwall’s coastline – something vital to both residents and tourism.

In addition, neospora, only found in dog waste leads to destruction of herds of cattle and sheep and can be financially devastating for farmers; residue from insecticides we give our dogs to keep them healthy (flea and worming treatments) can kill wildlife, particularly insects; and when evidence of dog waste has disappeared into the soil the bacteria and pathogens
can continue to exist for up to ten years.

Uncollected waste can disrupt fragile ecosystems, particularly on heathland and coastal grassland. Excess nutrients alter soil chemistry, allowing aggressive plant species to dominate and reducing biodiversity. In rural Cornwall, dog waste left in fields may also spread parasites to livestock, creating avoidable problems for farmers.

Unlike wild animal waste, dog waste is deposited in far greater concentrations because of the number of pets in popular walking areas. Dogs’ protein-rich diets also make their waste more nutrient-dense. This means it doesn’t simply “break down naturally” without consequences.

One common excuse for leaving waste behind is the lack of nearby bins. This is where a Dicky Bag offers a practical solution. Designed to safely and hygienically store used poo bags without smell or leakage, it allows owners to carry waste comfortably until they reach a suitable bin. By removing inconvenience from the equation, products like the Dicky Bag support responsible pet ownership and help protect Cornwall’s landscapes, waterways, wildlife, and communities.

We spoke to co-owner, Mandy Davies to find out more: “As a dog owner myself I noticed how long I had to carry a poo bag for before finding a bin and this impacted the walks with my daughter. I noticed increasing dumped poo bags and decided I needed to solve the issue. Static bins are expensive to site and maintain and everyone complains it’s not where “they” want it. If you take your bin with you, which is essentially what a Dicky Bag is, it’s exactly where you need it. No smell, no swing, no inconvenience. I believe that if you make it easy for people to do the right thing, they will. And if you explain why it’s so important, they’ll embrace change. Happy walks and happy planet!”

For more information visit
www.dickybag.com