“When it comes to raising a zero-waste pet, it’s all about progress, not perfection.” – The Zero-Waste Pet

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Pets are amazing! However, any steps that can be taken to reduce impact in this sector are important.

Refuse

• Purchasing fewer of certain items can be an effective measure.

Reduce

• Purchasing pet goods that are built to last will naturally decrease consumption in this area, according to the Zero Waste Nest.
• Purchasing pet food in bulk reduces packaging waste. 

Reuse

• Second-hand pet products—like toys or leashes—reduce consumption in this area.
• Old clothing, pillows, blankets, and other textiles may be of use to a pet. When practicable, these are all preferable to purchasing a new, separate product for your pet. 

Recycle

• If applicable, consider creating pet food from scratch—especially via leftovers. Be sure to ensure that any food you feed your pet is safe. Generally, an online search or a call to the veterinarian can accomplish this. 
• Upcycling old plastic bags to collect pet waste is a fantastic way to give these bags a second use. Additionally, compostable poop bags or cat litter are becoming increasingly available. Rover.com offers a list of reputable pet waste bags.

Example

Marsh Dog Treats uses nutria as the main ingredient in these treats. Nutria.com states that nutria are an invasive species in Louisiana, that jeopardizes the coastal wetlands.