How You and Your Dog Can Help Save The Planet

We are delighted to welcome the terrific Teresa from The Dogvine to share some of her mighty useful insights:

Our pets have never been more important to us, being lifelines for many of us through the pandemic, and it’s a time when many people have finally welcomed the pet that they always wished they could have. The UK now has a pet population with 12 million dogs and 12 million cats, so finding ways to reduce our pet’s carbon paw-print is something to take seriously. 

What is Global Recycling Day?

Organised by the Global Recycling Foundation movement, Global Recycling Day 2021 recognises the importance of recycling and is all about celebrating #RecyclingHeroes, i.e. the people, businesses and initiatives that show how important recycling is in creating a better future for us all.

How You and Your Dog Can Help Save The Planet Through Recycling

As a dog owner, I am trying to be more eco-friendly with my pet product choices, so for Global Recycling Day, we’re highlighting some of the ways dog owners can be more sustainable through recycling and show their support.

Save The Planet With A Snooze (And A Recycled Dog Bed)

Dogs spend on average 12 hours a day sleeping, and if you’re like us, your four-legged friend will have more than one dog bed around the house to nap on. Choosing an eco-friendly dog bed is, therefore, a simple way to be more sustainable. 

Project Blu makes its stylish dog beds from 100% recycled materials that would otherwise pollute our oceans and environment. Just one upcycled dog bed saves between 41 and 133 plastic bottles (depending on bed size) from reaching our oceans, so your dog can do their part to save the planet whilst they sleep.

Be On Trend With Recycled Dog Accessories

The pet-care market has grown by over 66% in the last decade, with Britain now second only to the US for per-person spending on pet accessories. Therefore, pet parents have a significant opportunity to make a difference by choosing sustainable dog accessories when we shop. Fortunately, it’s never been easier to find eco-friendly dog accessories such as recycled dog collars and recycled dog leads that not only do good but look good too. 

Choose Recycled Dog Toys For Plastic-free Playtime

Plastic pet toys are often made in environmentally harmful factories and then end up in landfill, taking a considerable toll on the planet. In our opinion, eco-friendly dog toys made from recycled materials are better choices, both for the planet and your pet. 

Photo credit: Four Little Paws

Reduce Your Pet’s Paw-print One Meal At A Time

Pet food is one of the most significant contributors to a pet’s carbon paw-print, so apart from changing your dog’s diet to become more eco-friendly, why not choose pet food from brands that put recycling at the core of what they do. For example, brands such as Hownd (who also offer a plant-based superfood for dogs), Different Dog or Edgard Cooper make sure that their dog-food packaging is recyclable, biodegradable or compostable. 

Pay It Forward Through Recycling 

A small effort now can often make a big difference in the future, not only for the planet but for charities too. Look for recycling schemes that benefit charities when recycling everyday items, such as the Dogs Trust Recycling Scheme for printer cartridges.

Teresa from The Dogvine. Photo credit: Emma O'Brien

Adopt a ‘Recycled’ Pet

Did you know that there are 100,000 homeless dogs in the UK at any given time, with an estimated 21 dogs being euthanised in shelters every day? As an owner of rescue dogs myself, in my view, adopting a pet is a unique way of recycling. Not only will you be saving a life, but you will be making space to save another life; what better way to recycle.

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GUEST POST WRITTEN BY:

Teresa and her rescue dogs are the human and hounds behind The Dogvine, the award-winning blog for London dogs, curating an invaluable guide to the best dog-friendly places to visit and things to do to get the most out of being a dog in the capital.