This month’s featured webinar discusses the carbon footprint of the pet industry and how leadership and a new perspective can reduce their impact on the environment. The webinar is presented by a panel of experts from the pet industry and the environmental community, and will discuss the latest research impacting their programs and how consumers are responding to their efforts.
Your Pet and Your Planet
As pet owners, we want the best for our furry companions. We want to feed them healthy food, give them plenty of exercise, and keep them safe and happy. With so many choices available, it can be difficult to keep sustainability in mind when making decisions about our pets. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to make your pet care routine more eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable.
From biodegradable toys to sustainable food and treats, the market for eco-friendly pet products is growing. Companies such as Open Farm and The Honest Kitchen have set out to provide high-quality products that are both environmentally friendly and safe for pets. Garrett Wymore and Caroline Buck created their company Petaluma in 2019 after “struggling to find dog nutrition that equally prioritized their pets and the planet.” (Forbes) As one of the industry’s pioneers, they aim to set a new standard for pet food, one that considers the planet as a stakeholder. It is their mission to revolutionize the industry by introducing plant-based pet food and treats that are both nutritionally balanced and crafted with a low carbon footprint.
When choosing to purchase food or other items for your pet, look to see if the brand uses natural, non-GMO, ethically-sourced ingredients. Beginners Tip: Look at the list of ingredients — if you can’t say it, take heed! Invest the time to look at the product’s packaging, consider the energy needed to produce it, and research whether it’s biodegradable or can be recycled. Check out this list for an excellent list of sustainable products.
Pet waste is a major source of pollution, so it's important to dispose of it properly. Many cities have curbside recycling programs for pet waste, or you can compost it at home. The USDA has published this guide about composting pet waste safely. When waste is left on the ground, organisms and parasites can leak into the soil and contaminate groundwater. Even when bagged up and disposed of, this waste still ends up in landfill, producing the greenhouse gas methane, which is 20 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. This article is a great resource for more information.
When your pet outgrows their toys or beds, donate them to a local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many local organizations are happy to accept donations of gently used pet supplies, unexpired food, toys, and bedding. Organizations like the Humane Rescue Alliance have created Pet Pantry programs to equip pet owners in need with food, bedding, toys, and treats for their pets. Benefactors can also donate money to help support these programs, or purchase items off a wishlist of needed items that the organization has created. There are so many ways to help — ask your local shelter how you can get involved!
Most importantly, spay or neuter your pet. This is one of the best ways to reduce pet overpopulation and the environmental impact that comes with it. American Humane currently supports legislation “mandating that all cats and dogs adopted from public or private animal care and control facilities be sterilized.” This results in animal overpopulation, an issue that currently plagues cities and communities across the United States.
By following these tips, you can help to make your pet care routine more eco-friendly and sustainable. And that's good for you, your pet, and the planet.
Insulation Inspiration for the Future and from the Past
When COVID-19 sent the world into shutdown, people started spending more time inside their homes. For some, this time sparked an interest in home renovation, which increased a curiosity about the materials that make up their homes. An often overlooked part of construction is the installation of fiberglass insulation. Originally brought about as an alternative to asbestos, fiberglass insulation is made from a combination of glass and plastic, and presents significant health risks to installers. It’s long been used to keep buildings warm in winter, cool in summer, and to maximize a structure’s thermal efficiency. As the insulation industry grows, consumers are voicing concerns about the materials used in their homes, and the inherent safety risks to the people who install them.
“Hot, cold, warm, dry; wool does it all.” -Andrew Legge, of Havelock Wool, in an interview with NPR’s Marketplace
Wool is an unexpected construction material that works well for insulation. Using ancient techniques of carding and processing raw wool, Andrew Legge created his company Havelock Wool to introduce his 100% wool-based insulation to the construction world. Sheeps wool is the epitome of a renewable resource and regenerates quickly. Excellent at soundproofing and unparalleled in its ability to retain heat and cold, wool degrades at a slower rate than traditional fiberglass insulation.
Another interesting choice of materials is hemp. Matthew Mead formed his company Hempitecture with a vision of working with hemp in new ways. Mead sources his raw materials locally to create what is called “hempcrete.” This formulation of hemp fibers can be formed into brick shapes and used in construction. Hempcrete has numerous advantages; not only is it strong, it‘s also lightweight, which lowers energy usage in transportation and installation. It’s entirely non-toxic, fire resistant, and carbon negative, meaning it removes more CO2 from the atmosphere than it emits. These unconventional elements have the potential to revolutionize the industry, but a lack of experience and expertise in the field has slowed its adoption.
Builders and developers today are taking advice about sustainable insulation from farmers of the past. Hay bales are a great example of a low-tech solution when used as insulation filler. Another choice of the ancestors: cork. The wood from these relatively common trees, native to the western US, have historically been used to “cork” wine bottles, but are also currently used in shoe insoles, safety helmet liners, dartboards, and for the cores of golf balls and baseballs. Because of their excellent soundproofing qualities, cork is optimal when creating sound-proof spaces, such as recording studios. Because it’s a natural shock absorber and fire-resistant, cork also makes it a great choice for flooring material and insulation.
Renewable, sustainable building materials are the future of responsible construction. Scientists are experimenting with growing mycelium, a kind of mushroom, for use in construction. Mycelium is a living organism which, when dried into bricks, can be used as a strong, fire-proof alternative to polystyrene (which takes decades to decay naturally). While these choices emerge in the construction marketplace, the issue of cost can become prohibitive for some builders. Eco-conscious, sustainable materials can cost double the price of their conventional counterparts, which can be prohibitive for many builders. If using more sustainably-sourced materials is important to a homeowner, architects and planners are asking their clients to prioritize their wishes, and to consider the environmental impact of their choices. With a more informed client comes a more eco-conscious build, which is a step in the right direction for the future of our planet.