Here at Curbicus we are trying to help the environment one drop of dog poop at a time and though our device is handy, clean, and environmentally friendly, there are also some other ways you and your pup can help the environment evenbefore your dog poops! 

One major way is to make sure you are buying products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. Try and find environmentally safe shampoos, food, and other products. A lot of the time these products can actually be better for your pup as they aren’t processed too much or filled with chemicals!

You can also buy products secondhand to prevent them from ending up in the landfill, including your dog’s crate, collar, leash, or even toys (if your dog doesn’t completely destroy them like mine did!). Other ways you can be sustainable is by finding brands and products made up of reusable materials to once again prevent them from ending up in the landfill. 

If your dog outgrows a product or is just done using it, like a too-small harness or a toy they just never liked, always give it away or donate it. Not only are you helping the environment by reducing waste, but you’re helping people in need get some extra good products! 

Another way to help is to buy products in bulk. This can help both you and the environment in numerous ways! For one, buying in bulk means products will last longer and thus will reduce how often you need to go out and buy more. This both helps you as it means less trips to the store and buying in bulk can sometimes be less expensive than buying smaller products, and it also helps the environment by reducing car emissions! Additionally, when you buy in bulk you are helping reduce the amount of waste produced by the products; for example, with dog food, when you buy in bulk you’re reducing the number of bags that end up in a landfill.

Although sometimes buying environmentally friendly can be a tad more expensive, and the same goes for just buying any pet supplies in general, there are always ways to help within your budget. For example, if you can’t afford or can’t find toys within your budget, you can always make your own. There are thousands of DIY videos and step-by-step guides out there; you can find ways to turn those old clothes into a perfect tug-of-war rope or maybe even a stuffed animal! This can be both environmentally friendlyand fun, if you’re into DIY’s at least.

Environmentally safe brands and products are just a search away and it’s pretty easy to find some that fit you and your pup’s specific needs. It can be hard to make the switch to environmentally friendly all at once and that’s okay! Even if you can only change one thing, like where you get your toys or just buying in bulk, even a small step makes a difference and can help you, your pup, and your environment in more ways than one!

Photo by Valeria Boltneva

Written by Dani Forte