Dog rego increase on cards as Kingborough Council considers compostable waste bags

A Tassie council will consider a plan that could make dog poo bags more environmentally friendly. But the idea may cost ratepayers an extra $30k – funds which could come from a bump in registration fees.

Kingborough Council considers compostable waste bags at an additional cost of $28k per year.

A plan to upgrade biodegradable dog waste bags to a compostable variety would cost Kingborough ratepayers nearly $30,000 extra per year – potentially funded by an increase in dog registration fees.

On Tuesday, elected members will consider a plan that could make the 760,000 dog bags dispensed annually from public bins more environmentally friendly.

According to a report from council officers, degradable dog bags are made from plastic with other chemicals added, which cause the plastic to break down and disintegrate over time.

Generic dog poo bag.

Compostable bags, meanwhile, are made from plant-based materials such as corn starch and wheat, and are suitable for composting.

Dog bags in Kingborough are collected and landfilled as part of the public bin servicing program.

Each week in Kingborough, 15,000 dog bags are used from public bins, with any move from degradable to compostable expected to cost an additional $28,000 each year.

Councillors will consider a proposal to increase the dog registration fee by $5 to cover the scheme.

There are currently 5732 registered dogs in Kingborough.

Although the environmental benefits of compostable bags would be greatly enhanced by a composting service, the costs associated were estimated at $250,000 per year, and not recommended by council offers.

It was proposed that councillors consider a new scheme to begin next financial year.

Originally published as Dog rego increase on cards as Kingborough Council considers compostable waste bags