Wednesday 28 July 2010

Dog poop - it's a gas!

Doggie pals, are you fed up of being thought a drain on our planet's resources?
Would you like to 'DO' something for the environment?

Then how about this for a fine idea from the Park Spark project?

You know how, when you go to the park, you take a human servant along and they will pick up any 'little messes' you leave behind and put them in a smelly old bin.

Well, what if, instead of a smelly old bin, your poo got fed into an 'anaerobic digester'? That's a fancy term for an underground container full of microbes which can transform your poop into methane gas and so produce renewable energy.

Here's how it's supposed to work:

The energy generated could be used to light the park at night. Or to fuel an ice-cream cart (just wishful thinking....)

I don't think that they have any of these systems up and running yet.

Spiffing wheeze though isn't it?

PS from Gail: Readers may not know that my day job is co-ordinating a project called MethaneNet, which aims to promote communication between methane researchers. It's amazing what you come across in the line of duty....Meanwhile, Bertie is being rested up this week after Sunday's exertions.

11 comments:

  1. Our Mom thinks this is a splendid plan!! And it makes her mad when people won't clean up after their dogs in public places.

    XOXO
    Lilly, Piper, Carrleigh and Ruairi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wooos! That is so cool! I think anyway, how do we get some of those over on this side of the pond???
    ~husky kisses~
    -Kira The BeaWootiful

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a brillaint idea. I'd settle for stopping the methane burn off at Russian wells as a first, perhaps more practical step.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bertie: since we're three rottweilers, what we leave in our yard could power our whole neighborhood!! Let us know when this becomes availible :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a great idea for poop
    Benny & Lily

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh Bertie you are one SMART PUP! It is just a fantastic idea!

    woo woos, Tessa

    ReplyDelete
  7. I will be more than happy to power the ice cream cart on the corner!!! Wow! Talk about recycling!

    Your very excited Uncle Petey

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bertie is resting after the forced march, er, I mean, really long hike?

    Count me in for that poo to methane project. I have a big pile in the yard. Just let me know where to send it.

    Slobbers,
    Mango

    ReplyDelete
  9. What an interesting idea! Oh 'do' let us know when this has gotten out of the planning stage and becomes a reality. (Looks kind of expensive---maybe you could get Mr. Trump to invest in it!!)
    XX-BabyRD and Hootie

    ReplyDelete
  10. A great idea, Bertie....
    Pity they haven't set up anything like that (yet) here. :)
    Sending lotsaluv
    MAXMOM IN SOUTH AFRICA

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great idea Bertie, your scientific mind is beginning to show.
    We will continue taking the human at the moment!
    xxx

    ReplyDelete