How to Get Rid of Dog Poop: Bag, Bin or Haul Away
Short answer: Here's how to get rid of dog poop: scoop it, seal it in a plastic bag (double-bag if you can), and put it in your outdoor trash cart with the lid closed. You can also flush the poop alone, without the bag, or pay a service to haul it away. Check your city's cart rules.
What is the best way to get rid of dog poop?
For most Texas homes, bag-and-bin is the easiest option. Here is how the common methods compare:
| Method | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bag and trash cart | Seal in a bag, put it in your household trash cart | Tyler's code requires pet waste to be wrapped or bagged first |
| Flush | Toilet only, poop without the bag | Bags and wipes clog pipes. Septic owners should check with their installer |
| Service haul-away | A company scoops and takes it with them | No waste in your cart at all |
| Service bag-in-cart | A company scoops and bags it into your cart | Your cart fills a little faster |
If you'd rather hand the whole job off, that's what a pet waste removal service does. See how a pooper scooper service works.
How do you bag dog poop for the trash cart?
- Scoop with a pooper scooper or a bag over your hand.
- Tie the bag tightly, then put it in a second bag if you have one.
- Keep a lidded bucket or small can by the gate for daily scoops.
- On trash night, empty the bucket's bags into your cart and close the lid.
Can you put dog poop in the trash in Tyler, TX?
Yes, if it's bagged. The City of Tyler Code of Ordinances, Sec. 16-4(c), says:
"All animal and pet waste that is subject to decomposition shall be well wrapped or bagged in waterproof paper or plastic adequate to avoid contact with or exposure to said material before being deposited in the container or receptacle."
Tyler's carts are for household garbage only. The city says, "Please do not place yard waste in the cart." Trash pickup is twice a week. The city lists Monday and Thursday for north Tyler and Tuesday and Friday for south Tyler, with carts out by 6 a.m.
Can you put dog poop in the trash in Longview, TX?
The City of Longview's official pages don't mention pet waste by name. They do say the black-lid trash cart is for "All non-recyclable household waste." The city's sanitation rules say "Customers are required to place all garbage and recyclables in the city provided carts," and its cart guidelines say "all bags and items need to be in the cart with the lid closed." So bag it, put it in the black-lid cart, and keep it out of the recycling cart. For anything unusual, check with Longview Sanitation.
Can you flush dog poop?
You can flush the poop itself, never the bag. Some areas advise against flushing pet waste into septic systems. King County, Washington says this, for example. Septic owners should ask their installer.
Where should dog poop never go?
- Recycling carts. Longview tags recycling carts that contain garbage.
- Yard-waste bags or compost drop-offs. Longview's yard-waste rules cover leaves, grass clippings and brush, and pet waste isn't on the list.
- Streets, sidewalks and storm drains. Tyler's anti-litter code, Sec. 18-40, bars leaving "litter, debris or solid waste" in any public place except proper receptacles.
- Vacant lots or open land. Tyler's Sec. 18-41 bars dumping "litter, refuse, or other solid or liquid waste" on any vacant lot or other open or vacant property.
Can a service take the dog poop away for you?
Yes. A pooper scooper service scoops your yard on a schedule and either bags the waste into your cart or hauls it off. Howdy Yard Care serves Texas dog owners. We bag every pile and haul it away with us after each visit — nothing gets left in your trash can.
Next in this series: does dog poop decompose on grass?
FAQ
Can I put dog poop in the yard-waste bin?
No. In Longview, yard waste means leaves, grass clippings and brush. Tyler asks residents to keep yard waste out of the trash cart, and pet waste goes in the trash cart, bagged.
Do I need to double-bag dog poop?
Tyler requires it to be "well wrapped or bagged." Double-bagging is a simple way to meet that.
How often should I scoop my yard?
Many owners scoop daily or every few days and bin it on trash night. A service usually comes weekly or every other week.
Can I leave dog poop on the grass to break down?
That has its own answer. See our next guide on whether dog poop decomposes on grass.
Sources
- City of Tyler Code, Sec. 16-4(c): https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/tyler/latest/tyler_tx/0-0-0-92217
- City of Tyler, Trash: https://www.cityoftyler.org/Resident-Services/Trash-and-Recycling/Trash
- City of Tyler Code, Sec. 18-40: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/tyler/latest/tyler_tx/0-0-0-92947
- City of Longview, Residential collection: https://www.longviewtexas.gov/2526/Residential
- City of Longview, Garbage and Recycling Services Guideline: https://www.longviewtexas.gov/3263/Garbage-and-Recycling-Services-Guideline
- City of Longview, Sanitation Collection Administrative Regulation: https://longviewtexas.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1874/Sanitation-Collection-Administrative-Regulation
- King County, WA, pet waste guidance (septic note), as found in search, 26 Oct 2026