How to Be an Eco-Friendly Pet Owner
Those of us who are fond of the environment and our pets sometimes feel like eco-traitors, thanks to the periodic stories about how pets are ecologically unsound and we're singlehandedly responsible for global warming. The actual news on pets and the environment is a bit more complicated than some
Posted — UpdatedAt the clinic, they instituted a rigid recycling program: "This includes any medical supplies (eg. syringes, fluid bags, etc) for which it is not contraindicated, boxes from our deliveries, paper products and the standard bottles/cans/boxes from items consumed by staff." They also went digital not just with medical records, but also radiographs, which cuts down on exposure to chemicals used in developing x-ray films.
She says disposal of pet waste is a particularly important issue, at the clinic and at home. Biodegradable waste bags and litter products are available, although no uniform testing to confirm biodegradability is in place, which can make it hard to verify the claims on packaging. As she points out, "landfills...are typically very densely packed with little oxygen," which makes it hard for products to break down. It's especially important, she adds, to take special care with cat waste, which shouldn't be dumped or flushed in the sewer because it contains pathogens harmful to sea life that aren't eliminated in standard wastewater treatment.
She also advises pet owners to consult their local vet clinics or waste management companies about expired and unwanted medications (that goes for human as well as animal medications). These shouldn't be disposed of in the toilet because they can enter the water supply and endanger animal life. Specific guidelines can vary by region; in some areas a hazardous waste disposal pickup day may be available for people who need to get rid of medications, paint, and dangerous chemicals. In others, it may be possible to throw medication, tightly sealed, into the garbage. Needles and other sharps should always be handled in an approved sharps container.
Owners should also think about greening things like pet toys, which are often made from plastic, mylar, and similar substances that won't break down easily. Keeping a rotation of biodegradeable toys in use can ensure that pets don't get bored, and reduce the amount of pet-related garbage. It's also possible to use objects from around the house as pet toys, depending on the pet; knotted ropes, for example, can be enjoyable for dogs, while cats may enjoy emptied and closed medication bottles.
Happy pets and happy environments, it turns out, can go hand in hand.