In the United States alone, our dogs produce over 10 million tons of dog poop every year, and most of that poop ends up in landfills. In a landfill, bacteria break trash down into methane, a greenhouse gas that is flammable and dangerous if left underground. As the second most abundant greenhouse gas, methane is 25 times better at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, making it dangerous in the atmosphere as well.
However, methane is one of the cleanest forms of fuel, for when it is burned, the byproducts are carbon dioxide and water. The best part about this is that organic waste, like dog poop, can break down in a biodigester to produce methane, which can then be burned and converted to energy!
" The Paw Power Project's mission is to build a dog waste biodigester for a local dog park and educate the community about sustainable waste management."
– Jennifer Swann, Ph.D.
Faculty Advisor
Ph.D. Biological Sciences
Bioengineering
Class of 2023
Bioengineering
Class of 2024
Bioengineering
Class of 2023
Environmental Engineering
Class of 2022
Environmental Engineering
Class of 2022
By installing a biodigester, we aim to provide an interactive, fun and educational tool for park users that will promote involvement in maintaining a clean and enjoyable experience at their dog park, as well as give park users a way to sustainably make energy from their organic waste. Dog poop is a problem in dog parks, where either dog owners are neglecting to pick up after their dog or trash bins are overflowing with non-biodegradable plastic poop bags that hurts the environment. Both these issues turn a fun outdoor location into a messy eyesore. By creating a biodigester, we are able to benefit both the dog owners at the park and the environment!