Pet waste products are a fairly new addition to the home composting scene, and many people wonder if their favorite kitty litter brand can be added to the compost pile, or if it, like its feline counterpart, must be trashed.
The good news is that some cat litters are indeed capable of being added to your compost pile, while others need to go into the trash.
There are few things in life more frustrating than trying to find the right cat litter. While you want something that will keep the stink at bay, it also has to be safe and sanitary.
Materials like clay and wood chips are often attractive because they are affordable, however they can get tracked all over the place and they can’t be flushed down the toilet, meaning you have to throw them away.
Biodegradable vs. compostable
Composting is becoming an increasingly popular way to dispose of organic waste, and many companies have begun producing biodegradable cat litter that can be added to a compost pile. But how do you tell if a cat litter is compostable?
In order to compost material, you need to break it down into small pieces, which means it must be able to decompose quickly and fully.
That’s why many manufacturers advertise their litter as being “biodegradable”—a term that means it breaks down more easily than regular litter, but that’s not the same thing as being “compostable”. Litter that is labeled “biodegradable” will eventually decompose into carbon.
Biodegradable cat litter is made from biodegradable materials. Compostable cat litter is made from plant based materials. These materials are not harmful to the environment and can be safely used to dispose of cat litter.
Both types of litter are eco-friendly, although compostable cat litter is slightly better since it fully breaks down into nutrient rich soil.
Can cat litter go in the green bin?
Cat litter is a great way to control your cat’s odour and can be made from anything from recycled newspaper to clippings from your favourite flowers, but many cat owners realise that disposing of the litter is a big problem.
When all else fails, you can now put cat litter in the green bin. However, as with general waste, there is a limit to how much your green bin can accept. So, before you chuck the whole bag, check out the regulations in your city to avoid fines or extra costs.
Waste: If it’s not recyclable, you can put waste in the green bin.
How much: 1.0m3 or 1 standard garbage bag per week, to a maximum of 60 bags per year (this includes other types of waste that are not recyclable).
There is a lot of controversy about what happens to kitty litter after it ends up in the garbage. Some pet experts claim that manufacturers add chemicals to kitty litter that seep into the earth and pollute the water supply. Other experts say that kitty litter is safe for the environment. So, what is the truth?
Is it OK to flush cat poop down the toilet?
As cat owners, we’re all familiar with the dilemma of what to do with our pet’s waste. We know that we’re supposed to dispose of it properly, but where? Flushing cat feces down the toilet is one popular method.
But is it really safe? It turns out there are a lot of factors to consider before even considering flushing cat poop down the toilet.
- Cat litter is not compostable, but cat poop can be flushed down the toilet.
- Poop and pee are both biodegradable items that will eventually decompose if they make their way to a water source in which bacteria live (which is almost everywhere).
- It’s just important to keep them out of the sewer system or septic tank because then it could clog pipes and damage sewage systems.
- If you’re worried about getting too much TSS from fecal matter, flush only one or two handfuls at a time so that there isn’t an excess buildup of solid waste around your house.
Choose an Eco Friendly Litter Box
As an eco-conscious pet owner, you may be looking for a cat litter box that is good not only for your cat, but also good for the environment. Consider an automatic self-cleaning litter box. Today’s models use ingenious systems to both clean and contain cat litter in a way that minimizes waste and keeps your home and your cat cleaner.
Whether you are moving into a new home, or just want to replace your favorite kitty litter box with a new one, there are several types of litter boxes available to choose from. Some are made of plastic, some are made out of metal, and still others are made out of recycled materials.
- Do you want clumping or non-clumping?
- Which is more affordable for you?
- Is your house outdoors and it doesn’t matter if the litter is compostable or not, or do you have a cat box inside of your home that needs to be eco friendly?
- How many cats do/will live in your household now and will they always stay there? If this number changes, then make sure that you get an appropriate sized bag. Changing sizes can affect how often you need to buy new litter as well. For example, if one day the size gets bigger but stays at the same price per pound – meaning purchasing a smaller amount would cost less than before – then customers may purchase larger amounts less often.
- Buy natural materials such as grasses or dried leaves instead of clay litter.
Cats are highly independent animals that need very little attention in general to stay happy – as long as you’ve got food, water and a litter box, you’re good to go! And if you care about the environment, you’ll want to take a look at litter boxes in general, because they make up a huge chunk of your pet’s environmental footprint.
That’s why it’s important to choose an Eco-friendly cat litter box – one that helps fight climate change while keeping your cat happy and healthy.