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Pets have fewer specialty plastic-free alternatives than their humans, but there are plenty of opportunities to reduce, reuse, and repurpose.
Reuse or buy secondhand
If you are getting a new pet, you may already have items in your home that can meet their basic needs. For example, you can use non-pet specific items such as bowls for food and water, blankets and old pillows for bedding, and regular towels for wiping paws. Many other items such as leashes, collars, and carriers can be found secondhand, often online through places such as Facebook, Craigslist, NextDoor, or eBay. Pet clothing, boots, and costumes are popular items for reuse, too.
Picking up after your pets
Whether your dog is just learning to do its business outside or your senior pet has incontinence issues, you can choose reusable ways to clean up. Reusable diaper technology has come a long way. Today, there are washable puppy training pads and even reusable diapers for pets. You could also consider using reusable items designed for humans, such as bed pads, as they tend to be more durable than those specifically designed for pets.
For outside, consider using a scoop or shovel to clean up your yard instead of a constant stream of single-use bags. When you do need a bag to clean up waste, repurpose old plastic bags rather than buying new. For cats, repurpose your litter buckets (these are too big to recycle!) or buy litter from a store that has it in bulk.
To deal with pet hair, spills, and messes, opt for reusable cleaning options such as vacuums, lint remover tools, and damp reusable cloths.
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Toys and enrichment
Boredom can lead our pets to destructive behaviors - chewing clothing, shoes, and rugs, scratching couches and chairs, and more - that cause waste down the line. Fortunately there are many ways to entertain your pet that don’t involve repeatedly buying new plastic toys. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Find stuffed animals at your local thrift store or on a Buy Nothing group.
- Hide treats or kibble in unlined cardboard boxes, paper egg cartons or paper towel rolls, and toss the shredded paper in your compost bin when the fun is over.
- Use a few durable toys or puzzles that you can fill with food or treats and reuse them many times.
- Share your cardboard boxes and paper grocery bags with your cat before they go in your recycling bin.
- Just like with kids, rotate toys or swap with friends and family members to keep things fresh.
Always supervise your pets with toys and projects to make sure they don’t try to eat or swallow pieces that break off. The Animal Humane Society has easy ideas for enrichment, and you can also find lots of ideas from passionate pet owners online.
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Treating your pets
Ask your vet about human foods that are safe in moderation for pets, as you may be able to replace some prepackaged treats with items that you can buy loose or in bulk quantities, such as carrots or apples. There are also many recipes, like these homemade cat treats, that you can make on your own.
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Less common pets
Not everyone has a cat or dog, but the same principles apply to reduce the plastic you use. With birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and rodents, first look for used items to supply their home, habitat and care items and seek unpackaged fresh foods or natural items, such as sticks, for treats or enrichment.
Take action
If you want to reduce the number of plastic products and waste associated with caring for your pets, choose these actions in the pets category:
- Invest in a pooper-scooper
- Buy bulk kitty litter
- Clean up pet hair with reusables
- Buy used pet supplies
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Teams with the most members
Here’s an additional way to have a broader impact and create more change in your community: It’s never too late to encourage your team members or recruit more! Today, we're congratulating these teams with the highest membership:
Striving for resilience: Plastic Earth film showing
Saturday, February 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka
"Plastic Earth" is a groundbreaking documentary that explores the urgent need to address the global plastic crisis. With plastic production from fossil-based sources on the rise, the world is facing an existential threat from climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
Before the movie, environmental and climate-focused organizations will host tables and provide learning opportunities for attendees. Learn more and add the event to your calendar.
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Thank you to our many organizational partners for helping promote and engage participants for this challenge. Today we want to give a special thanks to Analog Dance Works, Hennepin County Libraries, Seagate Technologies, Three Rivers Park District, and U.S. Bank for starting teams at their workplace to educate and engage their employees to reduce plastic waste. We’d also like to thank media partners KFAI, KMOJ, La Raza, and New Publica for sharing about the challenge with their employees and audiences across the Twin Cities.
Friday, February 2: Tips for getting started with the challenge
Monday, February 5: The problem with plastics
Wednesday, February 7: Types of plastics
Friday, February 9: Effectiveness of plastics recycling
Monday, February 12: Going plastic-free with your family
Wednesday, February 14: Reducing plastic in your wardrobe
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