How to Dispose of Used Cat Litter

Used cat litter can contain harmful bacteria and parasites. If litter is disposed of improperly, the bacteria and parasites can enter groundwater or other waterways, harming people and other animals. One such parasite is Toxoplasma gondi, which can cause toxoplasmosis in humans and wildlife if its eggs are swallowed. The Sea Otter Alliance reports that Toxoplasma gondi eggs from cat poop are infecting and killing California sea otters. Flushing used cat litter down the toilet does not kill the eggs and can clog your pipes. Disposing of used cat litter properly helps keep the environment and you healthy.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic garbage bag
  • Dustpan
  • Cleaner
  • Paper towels
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pour all the used cat litter from the litter box into a plastic garbage bag. Scrape off any wet litter stuck to the bottom of the litter pan with a dustpan or other object with a straight edge.

    • 2

      Spray the bottom of the litter pan with a cleaner of your choice and wipe it off with paper towels. Put the used paper towels into the plastic garbage bag. This ensures that all of the litter and cat waste is properly disposed of.

    • 3

      Tie the garbage bag closed so that there are no openings and litter cannot fall out of the garbage bag.

    • 4

      Place the bag into the garbage can for collection by your trash-hauling service.