Recycle and Reuse-ideas for pet owners

"To cherish what remains of the Earth, and to foster its renewal,
is our only legitimate hope of survival." -Wendell Berry

As consumers, parents, pet owners, inhabitants of our planet, we must do our share to give back and keep our world clean and resources available. If we do not, there will eventually be nothing left for our children and our children's children to work with. While the goal should certainly be to recycle and reuse everything, to create no waste, that is not possible in our times. We can do our part, though.

Here are our ideas for recycling animal waste. We hope you will try our suggestions and share them with your friends. If you have recycling tips, send them our way so we can include them on this page. These may seem like small measures, but we have to work together to save water, build soil, and reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills. Let's keep our earth a beautiful place to live.

	Choose products with little or no packaging. Recycle as much packaging as you can.
	Soiled aspen shavings or pellets, paper, or wheat litters can be composted or used to mulch around garden plants.
	Litter train your rats so that you do not need to fill the bottom of the cage or tank with bedding or litter every time you clean the cage. In between cleanings, wipe the bottom of the cage or tank with an environmentally-friendly and non-toxic cleaner. You will find cage-cleaning day much easier, too.
	When cleaning a fish tank, rather than pouring the old water down the drain, use it to water your garden or houseplants.
	Keep a bucket for emptying water bottles and pet's water dishes into. Use the water in your garden or houseplants.
	Do not use disposable dishes/paper plates for yourself or your pets.

Beauty is before me,
And beauty is behind me.
Above and below me hovers the beautiful.
I am surrounded by it.
I am immersed in it.
In my youth I am aware of it,
And in old age I shall walk quietly
The beautiful trail.
-Navajo prayer

Links for more information about conservation and recycling:

Ecoworld

United Nations: Johannesburg Summit 2002

Bridging the Gap- Environment, Economy and Community

City of Kansas City, Missouri

The Consumer Recycling Guide-Commonly Recycled Materials

Spoiled Ratten Home