Great Goods for Your Pet & The Planet: Waste Management
Picking up poop stinks, but we all have to do it—and responsibly dispose of the waste. While it’s certainly the polite thing to do, it’s also essential to our health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (PDF) if pet waste is not properly discarded, it can cause bacterial contamination of our water supply.
Ick.
That’s why the EPA asks pet owners to throw away pet waste in disposable bags, flush it down the toilet or bury it at least 12 inches into the ground away from any vegetation gardens.
To help you stay on top of poop patrol, try Bio Bags Certifiable Compostable Dog Waste Bags and Cat Pan Liners, which help reduce our dependence on petroleum-based and perpetually polluting plastic (say that 10 times fast). Made from corn, these biodegrade in various natural environments, such as compost and waste bins, and soil.
We’re also fascinated—strangely, we admit—by the Doggie Dooley, a nifty little contraption that’s hidden in the ground and saves you time, energy and all those yucky “where do I put this?” moments. The small tank actually works like a mini septic system, breaking down animal waste to a liquid that absorbs right into the ground. And did we mention it’s eco-friendly? Just a scoop of the natural enzymatic Digest Powder, a little water and—presto, change-o—it’s dirt!
Doggie Dooley Deluxe Kit (from $89)
Want more? Our eco-friendly pet care story covers exercise, toys, poop (yes, really), grooming and snoozing. Oh and p.s. You’re not missing something: As of June 1st we’ve relocated our subscriber freebies. Check the Giveaways and Facebook pages for deets!
Stacey Lindsay is a freelance writer who holds a Master’s degree in print journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her awesome blog on natural health and green living is at Gwendolyn Honey. This piece was contributed to by Kim Bloomer, CVND, ND, veterinary naturopath and founder of Aspenbloom Pet Care.
