Dog poop. It is everywhere. Well, not everywhere, but it manages to pop up wherever you’ve got poo-ches.  (Punners, beware: This post is full of landmines!)

Throughout my travels, I collected photos of dog poop line art. (Yes. Yes, I did.) I noticed a wide range of materials cities use to combat dog poop in urban environments. Some of it is downright funny.

A steaming pile of dog doo with a red “X” through it?  Classic! 



The chocolate-kiss-like droppings? What are they feeding the dogs in Munich?!

Beyond all this line art lies an illustration of what I mused about daily in my travels.  Namely, “How do you shape human behavior?”  Specifically, “What tools does a community need to give its citizens in order to manage its waste?”

Let’s push this further. (heh).

Let’s look at urban efforts to control dog poo as examples of how we shape human behavior when it comes to waste management. 



Do people need more infrastructure and information?

Do they not know how to pick up poop? Do they need three diagrams with step-by-step instructions? Do they need free bags? Perhaps. (Thanks for the precise instructions, Germany.)



What about using advertising as a way to encourage picking up dog poop? I saw this sign at an entrance to a park in Copenhagen, Denmark.



Shame, or guilt, is another tact. (I use this on my mother.) (Camden, England)



Stiff fines or penalties? Possible, but (heh) quite hard to regularly enforce. (Islington, England)



What about using the law? (Greenwich, England)

Again, do we really need the long arm of the law to do (heh) what should already be taken in the hands (heh) of citizens? (Note that this sign says, “Train your dog to use the gutter.” Curious tactic, given that this approach delivers all the health hazard nasties in poop directly into the watershed.)



What about appealing to community pride and spirit? This sign in France essentially says, “I love my neighborhood: I pick up.”



My favorite sign, above, employs clear line art and a positive message. (My next favorite would be a sign that says, “Pick up what your pooch puts down.)

My friend in Colorado, Joanne, researched many more examples of pooper scooper scofflaw solutions.

It’s not rocket science. But somehow, we’re still figuring it out.

Editor’s note: Meredith Sorensen has also written about this topic for EcoMetro and her Trash and Treasure blog. 

BONUS PICTURES BELOW!

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