Given our region has one of the largest pet populations in Victoria, now is as good a time as any to think about how to reduce the waste created by your four-legged friend.

Pet poo can be toxic to the environment if not disposed of correctly. When the average dog creates an estimated 124 kilograms of poo a year – a number likely to be higher for cats when you take into account the total volume of kitty litter – it’s not hard to see why animal waste is such a challenge.

The best solution for those with outdoor space is to purchase a pet poo composter. If you purchase a subsidised composter as part of our home composting program, it will come with worms that will not only turn your pet’s waste into soil, but also reduce odours.

The composter is a convenient option as you can simply scoop up the waste and drop it in, allowing the worms to return it to the soil of your garden. Compostable bags should not be put in home compost systems, as they need high heat to break down properly.

Cat owners can also use the composter to empty the contents of the litter tray, but only if they choose a 100 per cent biodegradable cat litter. The pet poo composter comes with instructions on what types of litter are acceptable.

Top tip: While composting pet poo is a great way to save space in your red bin and protect the environment, never use the compost on vegetable gardens and fruit trees.

While pet poo is the greatest challenge for pet owners, there are many other ways you can minimise the waste produced by your dog or cat: