I can’t be the only one who has taken my dogs for a hike, diligently picked up and bagged all of my dogs’ poop, and then returned to the trailhead to find that there is no garbage can or dumpster in the parking lot. With a sigh, I end up double bagging the stinky bags and placing them in the car, crossing my fingers that we encounter a public garbage can soon. The odor of dog poop in the car is not pleasant.
Those days are over for me now. With the Kurgo Tailgate Dumpster, no garbage can at the trailhead is no problem. I also don’t have little piles of full dog bags waiting to be walked to the campground garbage dumpster sitting near the car at my campsites any longer. Instead, I simply attach the Kurgo Tailgate Dumpster to the back of my car and place the filled dog bags inside of this washable silicone receptacle.
And the best part, this little dumpster is affordable. I snagged mine for under $15.
Features of the Kurgo Tailgate Dumpster
As Kurgo states, “The Tailgate Dumpster is a simple, long-overdue idea: a silicone wastebasket that attaches magnetically to your vehicle.”
The Tailgate Dumpster is made with 100% silicone, so it is easy to clean when needed. It has a single magnet to close the lid of the dumpster, but two magnets on the back of the Dumpster to attach it to your tailgate.
Kurgo specifically recommends that it is attached to the tailgate to protect it from higher winds while driving. It is also important to note that this is a magnetic product, so it will only adhere to metal surfaces and will NOT work on aluminum or fiberglass.
Depending on the size of your dog, the Dumpster will hold 1-3 full dog poop bags.
And to top it off, Kurgo gear is backed by a lifetime warranty. So if during the product’s lifetime, it does not function as it should due to a manufacturing defect, Kurgo will repair or replace your product free of charge.
Where to Purchase the Kurgo Tailgate Dumpster
There are many companies that sell the Kurgo Tailgate Dumpster, but I purchased mine from Amazon. Please be aware that I am an Amazon associated and will earn from qualifying purchases.
Other Ways to Deal with Dog Poop While Hiking
Looking for some suggestions on what to do with your dog’s filled poop bags during your hike? Check out our post “7 Creative Ways to Deal with Your Dog’s Poop While Hiking.”
But regardless of how you pack your dog’s poop out from the hiking trails, please don’t just leave bagged or un-bagged fecal material along the trails. Not only does it decrease enjoyment for other hikers, it can be a health risk.
Do you know how many different diseases can be spread through dog feces? The list is long and includes whipworms, hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms, parvovirus, canine coronavirus, giardia, salmonella, cryptosporidium, and campylobacter.
And scarily, some micro-organisms (like roundworms, E.coli, and Giardia) can survive in the environment for up to 4 years if not picked up.
Additionally, it has been estimated that two or three days’ worth of fecal material from 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay and watershed areas within a 20-mile radius to swimming and shellfishing due to the amount of fecal coliform bacteria in dog feces.
These are all part of the reason that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists pet waste as a nonpoint source pollutant. This category also includes herbicides, insecticides, and toxic chemicals from motor vehicles.
You can read more about the problems that dog poop poses for the environment at either of the following websites:
- The University of Washington’s article: Scoop the Poop: It’s Your Environmental Doody (pun intended)
- Doody Call’s, a professional pet waste removal service, article: Toxic Waste
And if you have any unique ways that you pick up after your dog, let us know in the comments section below.
Happy Hiking Everyone!
Kate, Glia, and Sasha
