The presence of dog waste in public and private grassy areas is a persistent problem, causing hygiene issues, unpleasant odors, and damage to lawns. Current solutions like signage or fines often fail to enforce cleanup, leaving a gap for a more immediate and visible solution.
One approach to address this issue could involve treating grass so it changes color when in contact with dog waste, creating an unmistakable visual signal for cleanup. The treatment might work as a spray, soil additive, or even pre-treated grass seed, reacting specifically to compounds like urea or proteins found in dog waste while ignoring other organic matter. The color change could fade naturally as the waste decomposes or is removed.
Several groups stand to benefit from this kind of solution:
The technology could also complement existing approaches like DNA testing (e.g., PooPrints) or glow-in-the-dark markers, but with the advantage of working automatically in daylight without requiring additional devices.
An initial prototype might start with a spray-on version tested in controlled environments, focusing on:
While chemical feasibility and public acceptance would need validation, this approach offers a potentially low-tech yet innovative way to tackle a daily nuisance in many communities.
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Physical Product