When it comes to scooping dog poop, is paper any better than a plastic bag?
While paper can be recycled, a plastic bag takes 1,000 years to decompose in landfills, right?
Surprisingly, the EPA says paper bags are not better for the environment than plastic bags. In fact, plastic requires much less energy — and greenhouse emissions — to manufacture, ship and recycle. They generate less air and water pollution. And they take up much less space in landfills.
So, what's the answer? NEITHER! The EPA says to reuse your plastic bag; a sturdy, reusable bag needs only be used 11 times to have a lower environmental impact than using 11 disposable plastic bags. In New York City alone, one less grocery bag per person per year would reduce waste by five million pounds and save $250,000 in disposal costs.
But reusable plastic can get sticky for eco-friendly-minded pet owners.
Instead, look into purchasing biodegradeable bags, which are made from corn, not polyethylene.
One promising, but perhaps more expensive solution is the Skooperbox. Made from 100% recycled paper, you pop open the box, scoop up the poop, close the box and toos, or let your dog carry the goods home.
The most eco-friendly solution: Try wrapping it up in a nearby leaf!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Pet food recall is still ongoing. Even though I'm a vegetarian, my kitties are eating already made white meat chicken from Dallas BBQ with a little Wysong kibble on the side. They're happy. And, with Natural Balance brand foods in the mix, wheat gluten isn't the only culprit and that's stirring up the pot even more.
Vets warn against making our own food. But if we're capable of feeding ourselves nutrtionally balanced food, then what's the beef about feeding Fluffy and Fido fresh foods. Cats are strict carnivores and need tauring in their diet. Chicken provides that. Great books on the market.
Here in NYC, Whiskers Holistic (http://www.whiskers.com/) is offering free cooking classes.
The Humane Society of the US today set up a pet food safety information line. Call 1-800-Humane-1 to hear updated recall information on pet food and treats; tips on what you can do to protect your pets; and how you can help. Concerned pet guardians can also visit The HSUS online pet food safety center at www.hsus.org/petfoodsafety .
In honor or Earth Day, the HSUS is urging people to commit to 10 resolutions to help the earth's wildlife.
1. Clean it up: Think about streams and ponds. Every stream is connected to something else -- another stream, a pond, a lake. Trash finds its way from one to the other, and an array of wildlife along the way can be injured or sickened by it. Visit your local stream or pond and pick up trash that you find. The results will be felt far downstream.
2. Let it grow: No matter how small a patch you dedicate, letting your lawn grow into a meadow not only cuts down on pollution and the use of fossil fuels, but it also greatly increases habitat for birds and butterflies and other interesting critters. This could be one of the most important commitments you will ever make to planet earth,
3. Leave them wild: Make a commitment never to buy a “novelty” wild animal as a pet – it is very difficult to satisfy their needs in captivity, and that often means an unhappy outcome for all concerned. As cute as a baby turtle may be, it is far better off in the wild. Take your kids for a walk to the local pond where they can see these and other wildlife where they should be – in the wild.
4. Go native: Use plants that are native to your area. Not only will they thrive better, resist disease and often injury or attack from plant eating insects and mammals, but they will also require less maintenance, freeing you up to do nothing but enjoy them.
5. Keep cats indoors: Even the gentlest, well-fed house cat will prey on wildlife instinctively when given the chance. Outdoor-roaming cats are at risk for accidents and diseases that can drastically limit their own lifespan as well. Do wildlife and your cat a favor by keeping cats indoors.
6. Save trees: Spring cleaning is in the air, but this is the worst time to cut down hollow trees because squirrels, raccoons, woodpeckers, flying squirrels, and others are nesting in them. “Dead” trees are anything but; they are thriving habitats for insects and animals who can benefit people and other wildlife. Keep them standing if possible.
7. Scrap the trap: If you capture and relocate a “nuisance” wild animal this time of year, it is likely to be a mom, which means helpless young will be left behind to starve. Instead use eviction strategies (tips at http://www.wildneighbors.org/ ) to solve wildlife conflicts.
8. Cut them up: Disarm (cut) plastic 6 pack holders before disposal so that wild animals cannot get tangled up, injured or die in them.
9. Rinse it out: Thoroughly rinse and safely discard food jars. Hungry raccoons and skunks can get their heads stuck in peanut butter, jelly, yogurt or other containers. If you clean the containers before disposing of them, you will literally be saving lives.
10. Check it out: Walk your yard and look carefully for rabbit nests before mowing in the spring -- the nests can be hard to see, the mother rabbit digs a shallow hole in the grass and puts her babies in it where they stay for 3 weeks until weaned and self-sufficient.
On the web at http://www.wildneighbors.org/
Vets warn against making our own food. But if we're capable of feeding ourselves nutrtionally balanced food, then what's the beef about feeding Fluffy and Fido fresh foods. Cats are strict carnivores and need tauring in their diet. Chicken provides that. Great books on the market.
Here in NYC, Whiskers Holistic (http://www.whiskers.com/) is offering free cooking classes.
The Humane Society of the US today set up a pet food safety information line. Call 1-800-Humane-1 to hear updated recall information on pet food and treats; tips on what you can do to protect your pets; and how you can help. Concerned pet guardians can also visit The HSUS online pet food safety center at www.hsus.org/petfoodsafety .
In honor or Earth Day, the HSUS is urging people to commit to 10 resolutions to help the earth's wildlife.
1. Clean it up: Think about streams and ponds. Every stream is connected to something else -- another stream, a pond, a lake. Trash finds its way from one to the other, and an array of wildlife along the way can be injured or sickened by it. Visit your local stream or pond and pick up trash that you find. The results will be felt far downstream.
2. Let it grow: No matter how small a patch you dedicate, letting your lawn grow into a meadow not only cuts down on pollution and the use of fossil fuels, but it also greatly increases habitat for birds and butterflies and other interesting critters. This could be one of the most important commitments you will ever make to planet earth,
3. Leave them wild: Make a commitment never to buy a “novelty” wild animal as a pet – it is very difficult to satisfy their needs in captivity, and that often means an unhappy outcome for all concerned. As cute as a baby turtle may be, it is far better off in the wild. Take your kids for a walk to the local pond where they can see these and other wildlife where they should be – in the wild.
4. Go native: Use plants that are native to your area. Not only will they thrive better, resist disease and often injury or attack from plant eating insects and mammals, but they will also require less maintenance, freeing you up to do nothing but enjoy them.
5. Keep cats indoors: Even the gentlest, well-fed house cat will prey on wildlife instinctively when given the chance. Outdoor-roaming cats are at risk for accidents and diseases that can drastically limit their own lifespan as well. Do wildlife and your cat a favor by keeping cats indoors.
6. Save trees: Spring cleaning is in the air, but this is the worst time to cut down hollow trees because squirrels, raccoons, woodpeckers, flying squirrels, and others are nesting in them. “Dead” trees are anything but; they are thriving habitats for insects and animals who can benefit people and other wildlife. Keep them standing if possible.
7. Scrap the trap: If you capture and relocate a “nuisance” wild animal this time of year, it is likely to be a mom, which means helpless young will be left behind to starve. Instead use eviction strategies (tips at http://www.wildneighbors.org/ ) to solve wildlife conflicts.
8. Cut them up: Disarm (cut) plastic 6 pack holders before disposal so that wild animals cannot get tangled up, injured or die in them.
9. Rinse it out: Thoroughly rinse and safely discard food jars. Hungry raccoons and skunks can get their heads stuck in peanut butter, jelly, yogurt or other containers. If you clean the containers before disposing of them, you will literally be saving lives.
10. Check it out: Walk your yard and look carefully for rabbit nests before mowing in the spring -- the nests can be hard to see, the mother rabbit digs a shallow hole in the grass and puts her babies in it where they stay for 3 weeks until weaned and self-sufficient.
On the web at http://www.wildneighbors.org/
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