1. Protect our water cycle, Part I

Even if you’ve trained your dog to use the gutter when out walking, it’s extremely important to bag the waste and dispose of it in a trash can.

In wet weather, uncollected dog waste gets into our soil and waterways, and it has been identified as a significant source of water contamination. In dry weather, it forms dust that gets into our lungs.

Green note: Never throw bagged waste into a storm drain – that’s a double whammy. Storm drains go straight into our local streams and rivers. Many of these waterways go through public parks near fishing and play areas. The dog’s waste will contaminate the water, and the bag will survive as waterborne litter for many years, clogging drains, endangering wildlife, and leaching toxic chemicals into the environment.

2. Protect our water cycle, Part II

Avoid pet grooming products that contain harmful chemicals, including unnecessary dyes and perfumes. Once they go down the drain, these chemicals get into our waterways. Eco-safe products are now available online and at major pet stores. If you use professional groomers, ask about their eco-safe products, too.

Eco-safe products generally use plant-based ingredients that biodegrade safely in the environment, rather than petroleum-based ingredients and other toxic chemicals. Look for products that clearly list their ingredients on their labels.

Green note: Like all human medications, unused pet meds should never be flushed down drains. All medications should be disposed in household trash, sealed in their original containers. If necessary, medications should be disguised or adulterated to prevent unauthorized use. To get more details, click here: www.ucnj.org/recycle/NJDEP%20med%20disposal%20guidance%20(2).pdf.

The Green Guide, a project of National Geographic, offers detailed guidance on safer pet products, including food, grooming, and litter products. For more details, click here: http://www.thegreenguide.com/reports/product.mhtml?id=48&sec=3 [Note: this link will navigate you out of the UCNJ web site].

3. Protect your home

Clean up after your pet with eco-safe cleaning products that are mainly plant-based instead of containing petroleum products and other toxic chemicals. They are safer for the environment when flushed down drains, and they help keep the air inside your home more healthful.

Eco-safe cleaning products are available at pet stores and other major stores, and online. They include odor busters, spot removers, dishwasher soap, laundry soap, dish soap, hand soap, and general purpose cleansers.

4. Protect your yard

Avoid yard care products and de-icers containing petroleum-based ingredients and other toxic chemicals that can harm children, pets, and the environment.

For your lawn and yard, spot-treat weeds instead of spraying whole areas, ask your local garden shop about eco-safe ways to keep weeds and pests at bay, or consider replacing part of your lawn with low-maintenance shrubs and other hardy plants.

To de-ice paved areas, try a pet friendly de-icer, now available at major hardware and pet stores.

5. Recycle

Include your pet in all household recycling.

• Tin pet food cans.
• Plastic containers (check the bottom first to see if the recycling number matches your municipality’s recycling program)
• Paper food bags or boxes (include in your mixed paper recycling – mixed paper means “anything that rips.”
• Paper litter bags.
• Paper packaging for toys and accessories (remove any plastic panels first).

For more information about recycling in your municipality, click here to find your local recycling coordinator.

Re-use: Bulk litter, bird seed, and other bulk products often come in non-recyclable plastic bags. Instead of throwing the bags away, put them to one last use as trash can liners or to dispose of pet waste.

Green note: recycling is the law in Union County and throughout New Jersey.

6. Green your dog's waste

Plastic bags are made of petroleum products, so you can make a big difference simply by not buying them for pet waste disposal. “Poo” bags made of biodegradable materials are one alternative. They are available at major pet stores.

Another budget-wise choice is to save non-recyclable plastic bags instead of throwing them away. Just a few examples are empty snack or frozen food bags, or the inner lining of boxed cereals. Put them to one last good use, by disposing of dog waste in them.

Why not use plastic shopping bags to dispose of dog waste? Plastic shopping bags are generally far bigger than needed for the job, they can be reused for other purposes, and many supermarkets will recycle clean, dry bags for their customers. Using smaller, non-recyclable bags is the greener way to go.

Green note: Composting or burying pet waste is gaining popularity as an eco-safe alternative, but this may not be an appropriate choice in urbanized regions like Union County. If you are considering these options, first check with your municipal health officer or buildings department, and follow their guidance carefully to avoid contaminating waterways or vegetable gardens. Special “doggy loo” composters are available online and at major pet stores.

To see details from the U.S. EPA on burying pet waste, click here: www.epa.gov/safewater/sourcewater/pubs/fs_swpp_petwaste.pdf. [Note: this link will navigate you out of the UCNJ web site].

7. Naturalize your litter box

Avoid clay litter, especially clumping clay. Clay is strip-mined from the earth, causing permanent environmental damage.

Clay litter may be dusted with silica, which can harm your pet’s lungs. Clumping agents may contain sodium bentonite, an ingredient in grout and other sealants, which your pet can ingest as it grooms.

Try an alternative litter made of recycled paper, sustainably harvested pine, or other biodegradable materials. They can be found at any major store and online. Look for packaging that clearly describes the environmental benefits of the product it contains.

Green note: To ensure a smooth transition to new litter, mix it gradually with clay litter.

8. Reduce Our Stray Population

Spay or neuter your pets. Even if you plan to keep them indoors, a pet can slip out and reproduce in a matter of hours.

Stray cats and dogs kill valuable wildlife, and their uncollected feces get into our soil, water, and air.

9. Preserve Our Wildlife

Bell your cat, and control your dog in public parks and other natural areas. Domestic cats kill millions of birds annually, and dogs can disrupt sensitive breeding grounds and habitats.

Dog waste has been identified as a significant source of water contamination that can kill fish and other marine life. Always bag your dog’s waste when using public parks and nature preserves.

10. Cut down on plastics

Avoid plastic pet toys and accessories that are not durable. Your pet may chew them and ingest particles of plastic.

Pet accessories and toys made from recycled, natural, organic or biodegradable materials are becoming more affordable and easy to find at major stores and online.