How can I reduce plastic waste when caring for my pet?

A lot of us are becoming more conscious of the plastic we use and trying to reduce this. You may have bought a reusable water bottle, canvas shopping bags, or metal straws. But have you thought about the plastic waste that your pet is producing? 

Toys, bedding and food bowls are often made of plastic. The food you buy for your pet may also come packaged in plastic. In fact, in the UK alone, 0.8 million cats and dogs eating just one unrecyclable plastic packet or can of food a day results in 7.6 billion containers being made, and later thrown away, every year. 

Your pet’s waste may also be contributing to plastic pollution. It is estimated that 3.6 billion plastic bags are used to pick up dog waste each year. Or if you have a cat, perhaps you are disposing of their litter in a plastic bag. 

Luckily, there are a few simple changes that you can make if you want to reduce plastic waste when caring for your pet. 

To reduce plastic waste when caring for your pet you can: 

• Buy ceramic food bowls instead of plastic ones. 
• Avoid plastic toys. 
• Choose bedding made from natural fibres, like cotton. 
• Buy food in bulk, packaged in plastic free, recyclable bags or cans. 
• Use paper bags or other non-plastic dog poo bags. 
• Use biodegradable cat litter and dispose of it in a biodegradable bag, with a scoop, or by composting it.