Pet Waste
At the heart of reducing your carbon footprint is reducing all sorts of waste, including pet waste. Although there might not be much you can do to reduce the waste that your pets produce, there are some earth-friendly options for dealing with pet poo.
Dogs
We all appreciate the dog owner who is prepared to pick up after their pooch. However, all of those plastic encased piles of poo are being added to landfills across the nation at an alarming rate. What to do? <strong>Biodegradable baggies are the way to go when it comes to picking up pet waste. </strong>
Eco-friendly Baggies for Dogs
Bio Bag
Made from GMO-free corn, these bags are 100% biodegradable and comply with California state law for biodegradable and compostable product claims. These guys don't stop with products for pets, including biodegradable cat pan liners. Their site features facts about the technology they use as well as an array of other eco-friendly options for your home.
Bio Bag
Poop Bags
Constructed from corn and other biodegradable materials, these bags also comply with California's strict standards for biodegradability. With the ability to order sample bags and free shipping in the continental US to boot, all you've got to lose is a bit of your carbon footprint by not using plastic.
Poop Bags
Better than biodegradable baggies is composting your dog's waste. While this needs to remain separate from any food composting that you may be doing, it's well worth it if you have as little as two-feet of yard space to spare. If you don't have a yard, check with your city's water treatment agency as more and more cities are offering owners the option to flush their pet's poo.
Composting your dog's poo is definitely an option. It's about as simple as digging a hole in your yard and planting a bin for the waste. But don't take our word for it - check out the websites listed below and start your poo-composting project this spring. Just remember that you should only use the composted material for plants that are not food!
City Farmer
This site includes a step-by-step photo guide and a you tube video to help you get starting composting. Sharon's been composting pet waste for over six years and my favorite part of this website is how she decorated her compost lid!
City Farmer
Pet Waste Digester
For those of you who are less of a do-it-yourselfer, there is the Pet Waste Digester. A bit of a pricer option, this kit gives you everything you need to get started for the first 6 months of composting.
Pet Waste Digester
Cats
It's all about the litter! Common clumping clay cat litters are harmful all the way around. Not only do they pollute when the clay is mined, but they are not biodegradable once they are used. The result is nearly two million tons of non-biodegradable litter in landfills every year.
What's a poor kitty to do? There are a variety of biodegradable options including litters made from reclaimed pine, recycled newspaper, corn and wheat. Many of these litters break down so readily that they are safe to flush. A word about flushing - while the litter you choose may be safe to flush, flushing our cat's solid waste can still be harmful to the environment - namely to sea otters.
Most domestic cats carry a parasite called Toxoplasmosis Gondii (TG) that has been identified as dangerous to pregnant women, and more recently, sea otters. You may be wondering, "What does flushable litter have to do with sea otters?" While sewage treatment plants are able to filter out a bunch of things, they are not able to filter out TG. Consequently, this parasite is entering our oceans and has been identified as responsible for approximately 20% of all sea otter deaths. Instead of flushing, use biodegradable bags for your cat's poo.
Eco-Friendly Litter for Cats
Feline Pine
I personally love this product! I just recently switched to Feline Pine to cut the odor of my multi-cat household and to cut down on the tracking in my home. So far, I've been pretty impressed. Feline Pine uses reclaimed pine to create small pellets that act like little sponges when it comes to absorbing your cats mess. Even better, pine naturally neutralizes the odor in your litter box, a must for multi-cat homes. While it doesn't necessarily take care of the smell of solid waste, I feel like I've won have the battle by using this product.
If you choose Feline Pine, I would also recommend getting the Feline Pine litter box and wide-slot scoop - both have been a big help. When the litter becomes wet, the pellets turn to sawdust. The litter box helps to sift the used litter away from the unused pellets, making clean up a lot easier. Check out their website to get your first bag for free!
Feline Pine
Feline Pine Litter Box
Swheat Wheat
This is the litter that I had been using before I switched to Feline Pine. When I only had one cat, this product worked very well for me. It clumps well and is biodegradable. Cats seem to readily adapt as the litter is small and soft on their paws. The downside is that it is a little dusty and tends to track a bit through the house. Additionally, while there are many earth-friendly litter treatments that you can add to your box, the product itself is not equipped to neutralize any kind of odor.
Swheat Wheat
Yesterday's News
While I have not had the pleasure of personally using this product, it is another eco-friendly option to cat lovers everywhere. In addition to cats, the website features similar products for rabbits, ferrets, and other small animals. Made from recycled newspaper, this product is highly absorbent and claims to control odor. If you are thinking of giving it a try, stop by the website to request a free coupon before you purchase.
Yesterday's News
World's Best Cat Litter
Made from whole kernel corn, the World's Best Cat Litter offers another biodegradable option that clumps up and traps odor naturally. Safe for cats and kittens alike, this litter contains no added chemicals or fragrance. Even if cats happen to eat it, there's no harm done since it's corn! Check out their website for more fun facts.
World's Best Cat Litter
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