7 ways to reduce your pet’s environmental pawprint
Practical tips to reduce waste, support recycling, and care for your pets in an eco-friendly way
Pets make life better. They cuddle, they play, they insist on sitting in the exact spot you were planning to use. But they also generate more waste than most people realize. Between food packaging, litter, and toys that get shredded in two seconds, it all adds up.
Small choices, like supporting recycled materials, giving items a second life, and reducing single-use waste, can make a huge difference. Sustainable pet care is less about perfection and more about thinking in circles instead of straight lines. Here are a few tips to make pet ownership more sustainable without sacrificing fun or comfort.
1. Choose durable toys
Go for toys made from natural rubber, hemp, or recycled fabrics. They last longer, save money in the long run, and you won't be vacuuming little bits of stuffing from under the couch constantly. Some brands even take your old toys and turn them into new ones.
2. Buy supplies with recycled content
Beds, scratching posts, leashes, carriers, and bowls can all be made from recycled materials. Supporting these products helps keep materials moving in the circular economy while making your pet's life a little fancier.
3. Reduce food packaging waste
Instead of buying the smaller bags of kibble, go for the big ones. Larger bags reduce both packaging and the number of trips to the store. Aluminum cans from wet food are also a big bonus on the recycling front.
4. Shop bulk and leverage refill stations
Some stores now let you refill containers with treats, kibble, and grooming products. Bring your own container and skip the single-use plastics.
5. Compost responsibly
Dog and cat waste generally isn't an ideal option for your backyard garden compost, but some municipal programs accept it. Plant-based litters made from paper, wheat, or wood can also be composted. It's not glamorous, but it's sustainable.
6. Swap to compostable or reusable bags
Those little plastic poop bags pile up fast. Switch to compostable bags or even backyard digesters.
7. Repurpose old textiles
That ratty old towel or bed sheet doesn't need to go in the trash. Turn it into a bed, a crate liner, or even a toy. Old clothes can even become braided toys. Pets love them, and it keeps items out of the landfill.
