You can save the world one scoop at a time.

We are frequently reminded that being greener can be accomplished in small steps.  Things as simple as changing the type of light bulb we use or bringing reusable grocery bags when we go to the store can make a positive impact on our environment. 

Another small, green step we can make is switching from clay cat litter to one that is made from plant materials.

Clay litter is strip-mined.  Strip-mining destroys ecosystems. The after-mining attempts at reclamation are minimally effective at recreating the true complexity and diversity of life that was destroyed. 
After clay litter is used it is almost always dumped into landfills. Clay does not breakdown or decompose; it just sits there taking up space in our already overloaded landfills. In addition, there are the fragrances, dyes and odor controllers added to the litters, contributing potentially harmful chemicals to our landfills.

These issues are compounded by the fact that we use more than four billion pounds of clay litter per year.  That’s a lot.  That’s twice the amount of disposable diapers we use.

Using plant-based litters avoids these issues. Plant -based litters are made from a variety of renewable crops, or are made from recycled materials. They are biodegradable and the non-poop portion can be recycled into your yard or flower garden (avoid veggie gardens). It can be put around the base of plants as a great mulch, buried in the yard or composted. Even if you send your kitty’s used litter to the landfill it will have the capacity to break down – clay never will. 

Not only that, but plant based litters are actually superior to clay litters in absorption and odor control.  They contain natural enzymes that lock in the ammonia odors, keeping the box smelling clean and fresh.

Many of these litters can actually be left in the box for up to a month (you still need to scoop out messes each day), significantly reducing the amount of waste produced. 
Deciding which plant based litter to use is really a matter of personal preference on the part of you and your kitty.  These litters have different odors and textures but they all work great. 
You can choose from litters made with corn, wheat, straw, alfalfa, pine, paper and more. They can be pellets, crumbles or flakes.  There are even two litters on the market that use the plant’s natural starches to act as clumping litters, SwheatScoop and World’s Best, made from wheat and corn, respectively. 

The newest addition to the market is coir cat litter which is made from coconut husks. Coir is very popular now in a variety of applications.  Coconuts are grown in palm plantations without the use of herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers in areas where natural rainfall is enough to sustain them, making coir very green.  In addition, it is very absorbent and does a great job of locking in odors.

The price of plant based cat litters varies, and is higher than clay litters when compared pound per pound. 

But when you factor in how much less is used each month, better odor control, and a greener world they can really be quite a bargain. 

Now is the time to switch your cat over to a greener potty.

Stephanie Stebbing is owner of Country Pet Shoppe in Kingston.