Simple things you can do this Earth Day

April 22nd is Earth Day. Although everyday should be earth day, it’s a day in which we raise awareness about the damage pollution is doing to our planet.

There are many activities and celebrations that occur worldwide. They help spread the message that we must try do our part, no matter how little it may seem. All these activities can have a positive impact on the planet.

Here are some tips that will help reduce your carbon “paw print”:

Recycle

Recycling items! Recycling reduces the amount of garbage sent to landfills.  It’s also economical.  Instead of buying items, you can make your own and this can save you a trip to the store more gas money, less emission.  Below are some items that you can make on your own.

You can recycle by making your own dog toys. There are tons of DYI’s on Pinterest that allow you to recycle by using various items that you may already have on hand.

DIY’s

You can also make your own dog treats. You will find that you may already have many of the ingredients on hand as well, and the treats will provide your pet nutritional value. Again you can search on-line to find hundreds of DIY’s dog treats. You can click on the image below for a simple nutritional treat.

Having pets and/or caring for them one must always have a good household cleaner on hand. You can make your own by using a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Mix together with a few drops of dish detergent and pour into a spray bottle. Wipe the accident with a towel or rag that you can wash later.  Spray the mixture and let set for 20 minutes.

This will not only clean it but prevent any odor from occurring.   Use 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 3 drops of 7^th generation dish liquid detergent.

Travel

At times you may need to travel with your pet.  You can erase your carbon footprint with zero-carbon travel. Many companies are offering this option to its customers.  Vacation is one of the single largest contributors to our carbon footprint – and now we can erase it. This company will offset your impact by supporting reforestation, clean energy, and other initiatives to help our planet.  To learn more about Travellight, you can Click here

Another option is using Airbnb as opposed to staying in a hotel.  Airbnb has  produced a number of studies on the economic impacts of home sharing in cities around the world. They are now releasing a brand-new study on the environmental impact of home sharing, which finds that using Airbnb promotes a more efficient use of existing resources and is an environmentally sustainable way to travel.   Always read up on the property prior to booking to find out if they will allow pets.   To read more about it, you can view the study here.

Donate

Do you have towels, blanket, pillow cases or old newspapers that you no longer use? Instead of throwing them away you can donate them to your local animal shelter. They will be able to make use of them and appreciate the donation.

Sustainable items

Use biodegradable pet waste bags. You can even purchase flushable ones!  You can try Flush Puppies Doodie Bags. They are certified compostable by the biodegradable products institute (BPI).  Do not buy plastic bags, they can take years to break down.

Support green businesses.   When shopping for your pet items patronize stores and purchase products that offer a greener alternative.  This will encourage other companies to create sustainable pet products as well.  For other products, check out Earth Dog.

Lastly, spread the word! Share your knowledge with pet parents around you. They may want to contribute but may not know how. These things may not seem like a lot but if everyone did them imagine the difference we can make for our planet!

Happy Earth Day!