OK, here’s the thing:
{{dusting off my soapbox… it’s been a while since I’ve climbed up here…}}
A few years ago, I devoured content around zero-waste living. I took notes. Ordered bamboo toilet paper. Subscribed to YouTubers and Instagrammers. Joined a few Facebook groups.
Through all of that, I felt equally inspired and intimidated. There’s so much good we can all do, but… when you start poking around online, many of the conversations are centered around the idea that if you’re not doing absolutely everything, you’re not good enough.
For instance, on a blog post about someone who was thinking about fostering a shelter pup: “…if I truly cared about achieving 100% zero waste I wouldn’t have considered fostering a dog at all.” Thankfully that particular writer decided to forgo her 100% goals and fostered the dog, but there was a lot of back-and-forth conversation on that and many other blogs.
There are also a lot of recommendations in other zero-waste literature to adopt vegetarian pets like rabbits instead of meat-eating pets like dogs and cats.
This is where I get frustrated with the eco-warrior lifestyle: Life isn’t all-or-nothing.
Every major discussion doesn’t come down to my-way-or-the-highway. There isn’t a winner and a loser in every single conversation, like the internet makes it seem.
Life is far more nuanced than that with many more variables than can be predicted or controlled for.
Including loving pets.
Including wanting to be gentler on the planet.
Is zero-waste pet care possible?
Truth: Probably not.
And that’s actually OK… as long as you’re doing your best!
So, when I released The Zero-Waste Pet out into the world, I wanted to emphasize the baby steps, the incremental growth, the tiny changes that add up to create big, sweeping change.
I want to argue that, no, zero-waste pet care probably isn’t possible, but instead of focusing on that from a “you lose” angle, I’d love to focus on the positive side.
No, zero-waste pet care might not be possible, but we should all strive to do the best that we can.
(In hindsight, I totes should’ve called it “low-impact” instead of “zero-waste,” but c’est la vie. Maybe a sequel is needed… chin-scratch emoji goes here…)
Anyway, in light of all the grumpiness on the internet, and in the hopes of creating a more positive, supportive dialogue, I wanted to let you know:
You’re doing great!
You really are! If you make one tiny swap, your small action contributes to the larger momentum. In case you’re feeling stumped for a couple tiny actions, here are a handful of easy, meaningful things you can do today:
- Pick up errant dog poop you spot on your walks. It’ll help prevent groundwater contamination!
- Turn your AC one degree warmer. You’ll save a ton of energy and money on your bill, and your cats will love you for it! (Here are some more energy-saving tips for spring/summer!)
- Pile up your pets’ fur after a brushing session and place it outside near trees or bushes where birds nest. NOTHING makes me happier than seeing my pets’ fur woven into a bird’s nest!! #littlethings #circleoflife
- Shop your values. As you run errands this week, think about your purchases as little votes for sustainability. Instead of picking up your usual clay litter, consider a swap to a natural alternative. Grab a stash of canvas bags and stow them in your car so you can decline plastic bags, not just at the grocery but at every store you hit this week. Rather than buy a packaged box of dog treats, whip up your own with ingredients you probably already have around the house. Before you click “buy” or hand over your cash, think about how that trade reflects (or doesn’t) your values.
My bottom line: I want you to feel good about every action you take!
Anything is always better than nothing!
You are doing an awesome job taking care of your pets and the planet, so keep it up, and let me know how I can support you on this journey in the comments below!
Amanda Garlock
I love #3! When Loki starts to shed, we take him outside under a big tree with the furminator, where he loses enough coat for 3 miniature poodles. (True story.) By the next morning, all of his fur is gone, and the green herons who nest in my parents tree every year always have very soft labrador-lined nests!
Maggie
I just adore those visuals! Thank you for sharing that!! It looks like Denim’s fur is a lot like Coop’s? When I brush him outside it blows all over, but I can usually collect big hunks from the brush as we go!
Shadow and Ducky's Mom
I, too, love #3! Most times when I brush Shadow out, we are already outside so it’s convenient – and the roller on the vacuum doesn’t get clogged with Golden fur. When Callie was still with us, we used to get enough to make a sweater that would fit Ducky!
Maggie
Haha! Same with Lucas! We used to joke that we could paste all his de-shedded fur together to make a whole second Lucas! 🙂
Lisa
I love all of your tips, but especially #3 🙂 There is so much we can do to give something back to mother nature and to save our environment, even when it’s just little things 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing!
Maggie
You’re so right! The little things add up to big things! 🙂
Cathy Armato
I’m sorry, that person didn’t want to foster a dog in need because it interfered with their zero waste goals?? That hurts! Thank DOG they reconsidered and decided to foster & help save a life! I do what I can but I don’t get warrior over it. My county just started penalizing shoppers for not bringing their own bags to all stores – you get charged 5 cents for each bag, plastic or paper, any store gives you. Most people opt to bring their own bags – fortunately I had accumulated a number of those bags over the years! It’s most helpful when food shopping, where lots of plastic bags were used. I also take the Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose mantra to heart. When we purge, which we do often, we try to donate or sell our stuff online as much as possible. We leave bulk items on the curb early in the day – our town is crowded and people constantly drive by and pick up items in salvageable condition. Usually within 2 hours most of the bulk items are gone! I cannot stand to throw away stuff that is still in usable condition, not without a “fight” to repurpose it, LOL! Great post, I love your ideas.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Dog Product Picker
I usually only brush my dogs outside just so birds have wonderful, healthy hair to make nests with!
The Daily Pip
Oh my gosh, #3!!! I’m going to do this today! We have lots of different kinds of fur in our house and this is such a great idea. Rabbits shed a LOT. Lulu’s extra fur could probably help most of the birds in our neighborhood;