5 Ways To Go Green And Reduce Your Carbon Pawprint
We share this planet with our animal friends and there are so many simple ways we can help make this world a better place for them, and for us. As responsible dog parents, making small changes can have a big impact on our carbon pawprint. No matter how small your contribution, you’ll feel proud knowing you’ve done your part to help our environment. Here are five ways to go green and use sustainable practices to help reduce your carbon pawprint.
1. Dispose of dog doo the green way
Our dogs can produce a lot of waste. If you’re using plastic bags to pick up your dog’s poo, those bags take a long time to decompose, taking up space in landfills. Luckily, there are some solutions. To go green with dog waste, some pet parents choose biodegradable pet waste bags. However, not all biodegradable bags are created equal, many can still take years to decompose. Biodegradable bags that are marked as plant based or compostable are typically made with corn starch, making them a more eco-friendly option that breaks down in as little as 90 days. So, what’s it mean to compost your dog’s poo? Compost is a way of breaking down your doggie’s doo, removing it from the environment in a safe and healthy way. If you do a little digging on composting, you’ll find you can purchase a composting bin made just for dog waste. You can also make your own using supplies found at your local hardware store. By making the green choice to dispose of dog poo, you’ll be doing your part in helping reduce the millions of pounds of plastic that ends up in landfills each year.
2. Recycle by donating
Instead of throwing away items in your home that are reusable, such as clothing, blankets, and towels, consider donating the items to local charities or second hand shops. Not only can you recycle your gently used clothing and other items, but you should also consider donating pet related items that you no longer need. Animal shelters are often in need of gently used blankets, towels and other items, and your donation could really make a difference. That dog sweater that your pup outgrew may be just the ticket for a shelter dog in need. By recycling your gently used items, rather than throwing them away, you’ll be reducing waste and helping others.
3. Support environmentally friendly manufacturers
Some manufacturers have pledged to take measures to increase sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. By only supporting manufacturers that are environmentally conscious, you will also help incentivise other companies to go green. Look for companies that have taken measures to reduce their cardboard and packaging usage, or have switched to environmentally friendly packaging. You can also help out the environment by purchasing recycled goods or by supporting companies that use creative methods to utilize food products that would normally be considered waste, keeping those items out of landfills.
4) Buy items in bulk
When you buy in bulk—whether for yourself or for your dog—it reduces your carbon pawprint in several ways. By purchasing more items at once, it reduces the number of trips you’ll need to take to the store, reducing the amount of carbon emissions through transportation. Bulk items often utilize less packaging. If you order products through the mail, ordering in bulk reduces the amount of shipping materials needed to send the items and reduces the amount of visits your delivery person needs to make. Although ordering items in bulk may seem like a small step, it is a series of small steps that will make the biggest difference.
5) Utilize reusable
When you go to the pet store (or any store) bring along some reusable cloth bags rather than using plastic bags at the store. The average person takes home 1,500 plastic bags each year, imagine how much plastic you’d be reducing by utilizing reusable bags. Those plastic bags may also be hazardous to wildlife, which is why taking the reusable route is the eco-friendly choice. Try to replace disposable items with reusable items throughout your house. Instead of purchasing disposable water bottles, purchase a reusable refillable water bottle. Instead of purchasing your dog a new toy, look up some tutorials on making your pup a toy out of an old t-shirt.
There are many more ways to go green than the tips we’ve listed here, so be sure to celebrate Earth Day by doing your part to help take care of our planet. Since our dogs can’t go green themselves, it is our job as responsible dog parents to take those steps for them, and help to make the world a better place.
