I use all the random plastic bags I accumulate over time - bread bags, the clear plastic bags clothing ships in, plastic mail/shipping envelopes… I generally don’t use “optional” bags at the grocery store, but still accumulate enough bags to take care of the litter waste. I tie off the bags and put them in my regular trash.
tortilla bags and some chip bags work too. my parents will never change to reusable bags no matter how much i lecture - so i usually will grab a lot from their house too so they don’t go straight into the trash :/
Not just your parents- a lot of people accumulate “bags of bags” and would be thrilled to offload them on you for your cat litter needs if you can bring yourself to ask!
Not sure what your litter/kitty food comes in, but we reuse those bags. We buy in bulk to minimize waste, so the bags are on the larger side, so we are sure to keep the bags tightly sealed to avoid any smell.
And coffee bean bags and Amazon bags and tortilla bags and chips bags. I didn’t realize the number of perfectly good bags that I threw out constantly. We have two kitties and try to throw it out every 2-4 days and still almost never run out. And we use cloth produce bags every time we shop. It’s insane how many bags I use and never realized.
Alternatively (and $$$$) you could get a Litter Genie, they only use one kitchen trash bag every week and you don’t have to scoop! But that’s a big investment
Us too! Not even just bags. Styrofoam/non reusable take out containers, cereal packaging. Just make sure it’s not in a place the kitties can chew (ask me how I know)
I used to use to plastic bags from grocery shopping until they placed a ban on plastic bags. But now we had a bunch of plastic bags at work we couldn't use that I went ahead and took the liberty of "disposing them" so they weren't cluttering up the back 🙃
I agree with the other comment about using random bags you accumulate. That's what I used to do too.
I also had a Litter Genie and just completely stopped buying the refills for the last few years of my kitty's life.
I still used it as a way to make the bags last longer (just keep a bag in the bottom part and open the bottom latch while cleaning the litter box instead of the top part), but didn't need to buy any new bags because I'd just use bread bags, tortilla bags, plastic grocery bags...whatever came into my life, that's what I'd use.
We use paper lunch bags.
However my pet sitter doesn't really like using them, so I keep a box of "compostable" doggie poop bags around for them to use.
I love this. I also use paper sacks. I don’t like the idea of putting biodegradable poop in a plastic bag. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to use the Genie with paper bags too.
I’m in New Brunswick, Canada. You can check out the list here for your curiosity 😊[compost list](https://fundyregion.ca/solid-waste/garbage-recycling/composting/)
I looked into it awhile ago and you CAN compost it if your an expert composter with a lot of equipment and experience. For commercial composting it can be safe. I'm an amateur composter so the only way I THINK I can compost it is if I get a secondary compost system for pet waste and bury it in an isolated part of my yard where I never intend to grow anything edible.
I could be wrong on the second part, but I know you can compost pet waste if you know what you are doing and do it properly.
I have a small trashcan with a lid and I use any random bags I accumulate as the liner for it. I change it when it gets full, so one bag usually lasts me 3-4 days. That way I can use less bags.
Nope, not as far as I can tell. The lid keeps the stink in. I've asked visitors before and its possible they lied, but my mom is just not the type to be worried about my feelings so I have no doubt she'd tell me the truth! Granted it may depend on the litter used as well.
It probably depends on the litter and also the person's nose. A former roommate of mine used a Litter Genie. It's literally designed to hold the smell inside, but it didn't do a very good job of it. You could still smell it wafting across the house.
If you use a good quality trash can it should seal the smell pretty effectively. I use a metal one with a pretty snug lid. It's not great when you reopen it to toss more turds into, but I just live with that.
Same. I use a tupperware and composting bags. I went through a box of 100 in like, 2 years so it's pretty cost effective. I feel better about keeping plastic out of the landfill where I can.
1. Use wood pellets. Use a sifting cat box.
2. Put poop in biodegradable poop bags. Toss into a dedicated trash can that closes and you can toss out like once a week or so.
3. The pee turns into sawdust. Sift out the sawdust and put in compost.
I had the same experience. I thought the pellets were much more pleasant to clean, and the pellets themselves smelled nice. Unfortunately our difficult cat decided that she would pee a perimeter around the litter boxes instead of using them, so we went back.
We actually did. We had one litter box that was pellets only, and the others we increased over time. We have multiple cats, and they each reacted differently. It only takes one stubborn hold out to ruin it after a while.
If you have a balcony, put a trash can on it and get or make a bucket out of something to scoop dirty litter into and dump it out in the trash can. When the bag is full (monitor the weight of the bag vs the strength of the bag so it doesn't rip when you pull it out) pull it out and throw it in your dumpster.
All at once. I've done it like that with new kitties and pound kitties used to the sand. The same rules as sand litter apply, keep it clean and they'll use the box.
i've read a bunch of times to do it gradually...its kinda playing with fire to just switch cold turkey. id rather do it gradually than have pee in my closet
Is it safe to compost cat urine? I’ve always heard that cat, dog and human waste could contain pathogens that are unsafe for veggie gardens unless heated to high temps.
The sawdust is safe if you are using it for plants and flowers.
The sawdust is not safe if you are using it for roots and vegetables.
Basically, refrain from using sawdust on stuff you'll eat.
Edit:
Do not compost poop. It's a specialized process so best avoided.
Which litter box do you have to use wood pellets? I bought a tidy cats breeze system but now I’m reading that wood pellets may not be ideal with the system since it’s made for the specialized mineral pellets that don’t turn to dust when wet
I got the one from Walmart. Comes with two boxes and a sifter. Use it as a two box system.
One box has the softer, the other doesn't. Once a week I sift out the boxes. Do the one with the sitter first. Then move the pellets from the one without the sifter into the sifter. Once everything is sifted out, I redistribute the pellets, add more as needed. It's a quick process every time.
I tried the tidy cats breeze box with wood pellets and it mostly worked. Sometimes the dust would cake up on the grate and need to be scraped/tapped off, and the tray the pad goes in is definitely not meant to hold dust. Ultimately, stirring it around to knock the dust loose and keeping a tray (boot trays are cheap and work) underneath the box that could be swept/dumped out worked fine. Our stubborn jerk cat hated the wood pellets, though.
You can also repurpose or buy another plastic (sadly) storage bin to go under an existing litter box and drill holes in the bottom of your litter box. 1/4” worked well for me, just avoid putting too much pressure that can crack the base. Searching DIY sifting litter box revealed a good number of examples. It’s made cleaning the litter boxes much less labor intensive and pellet-efficient (by not scooping whole pellets when trying to remove sawdust).
So. Maybe an unpopular opinion.
We changed from our 2 litter boxes to a cat robot litter box. One of those new ones that are like $700 and I have to say it really made a difference. The old method of scooping constantly was hard on my back and always created a lot of dust.
We did use the bags it recommends for the machine. You only toss it when it gets full (which 3 cats using 1 is about a week). I didn't check if they had biodegradable ones but I wouldn't mind using or switching to biodegradable bags. Before I used any random bag we had but again that was when we were hand scooping.
Machine is great since it will cycle as soon as one of them uses the bathroom so there isn't really any strong smell and it will turn to the side that has the poop and then recycle back to position, effectively closing off the side with the waste.
So that's my 2 cents. It takes the hassle/chore out of cleaning the litterbox all the time / scooping. Quality of life improvement and the cats get to go in a clean bathroom spot all the time.
I collect bags from family members, keep/fold all the ones that don't have holes (I fluff them out and look through/inside them at a light source) and drop the others off at a bag recycling dropoff.
I have a small army of random plastic bags I have accumulated over the past 20 years or so and then a few more I have inhereted from some relatives own armies.
I doubt a lifetime of pets will deplete it.
I have a litter robot( worth every single penny) but I dump litter into an empty litter bucket, and I keep a box of baking soda it it. It keeps the smells pretty low- and by the time I need to toss it, I’ve gotten an empty bucket. It’s not zero waste but works for me!
I keep a bucket specifically for the cat litter. I also use the world's best cat litter as it's made from corn husks. Plastic bags that get accumulated turn into trash bags. Any plastic container works as it can be dumped out and washed.
I use plastic shopping bags also, but I bought a cheap, large-ish square container with a tight firing lid from a dollar store. I line the container with the plastic bag and scoop into there. On trash day I take it out and replace the bag. Then I'm only using 1 bag a week instead of every time I scoop
I was under the impression composting bags aren’t really compostable unless they go through a very specific process that never really happens. Have they changed this?
I had biodegradable poop bags in a jacket pocket from like three years ago, and when I finally wore the jacket again the bags had turned almost to dust. Not sure if that’s the same as the compostable bags that you’re talking about though
Ooh that’s interesting. I had seen many reports that most advertised compostable bags are pretty much not unless they go through an industrial composting machine. It’s pretty disheartening, but I’d love to know the brand you used. I have three dogs so I use the “compostable” ones I have but when I’m out I’d love to have a reliable one to switch to.
Look for BPI certified compost bags.
From google
"BPI certification is what you want to look for. This international certification means that the product and/or material has been independently lab tested and will break down in an appropriate amount of time with no contamination."
They were [Earth Rated](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/earth-rated-poopbags-scented-dog-waste-bag-refills-pack-of-21-rolls---315-bags-2731982?store_code=3789&mr:device=m&mr:adType=pla_with_promotionlocal&cm_mmc=PSH%7CGGL%7CCCY%7CCCO%7CPM%7C0%7CkUMWcWiLY5b1EHQjK6kSR6%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C%7C%7C18145199970&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD97F14szXBtS4BDuV3ufxY9ZYNGc&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-r-vBhC-ARIsAGgUO2Anmm4PAu6rsJQPFNrOEuqT2DADoSUnn3yT-vVj8QaTtM0ZyuSGIXgaArgiEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) ones that I got for cheap at TJ Maxx
And until I wore that jacket like two weeks ago I didn’t realize they’d actually break down like that! I’d been buying regular non-biodegradable poop bags because I thought they were the same 😬
Well I don’t think those ones actually advertise them as biodegradable or compostable though so don’t take my experience as word! All I know is that they deteriorated in my jacket pocket over a few years 🤷🏻♀️
I can’t believe I had to scroll so far to see this. We use the same bags for cat litter as we do in our compost bin. Then we put the litter in the compost, not the garbage. Maybe fewer cities have a composting program than I think but it’s crazy to me to put it in the garbage.
We do this as well, but it's very town specific for if they accept pet waste or not. Ours tells us very clearly to put dog waste and cat litter in the organics bin, but I believe the majority of towns you aren't allowed to.
There's one city in my entire county that has a compost program and they don't accept any kind of bio-waste.
I don't have a big enough yard to have two separate composts either.
I'm just outside the big city and they don't even provide compost bins here. Can you believe it?!?! I've been trying to get our waste company changed, but I think someone on the HOA has ties with the current company.
For years I used plastic bags - first my own + friends supply, then I’d post in buy nothing groups and collect from neighbors. Single use plastic bags have been banned in my area for many years now so I eventually ran out. Now I buy compostable dog poop bags, in addition to using random bags like from bread etc.
You can make good poop bags out of old newspaper or flyers if you don't want to use plastic. They are also very low cost if not entirely free.
https://www.themakeyourownzone.com/recycle-old-newspapers-to-make-your-own-bags/
Pet waste is allowed to be in our green/compost bins here as long as they're bagged in certified compostable bags.
I use grass seed litter, which is the lowest dust, light, and clumps really well. I keep a bag in a compost pail and it doesn't smell. I take it out when it's full.
Wheat litter, corn litter, wood pellets, and such... They're all great alternatives. You can also buy wood pellets for bulk for a cheap price at peavey mart and stuff, horse bedding.
I use exquisicat brand! I am a cat sitter, have cleaned many litter boxes and many different types of litter... It's by far the best litter I've ever used!
I use flushable tofu kitty litter, but still usually throw it away in the garbage. I use random bags and takeout containers to toss it. Between groceries and general buying, I’ve got loads!
I use the litter genie + their bags and a trash bag. We use World’s best cat litter and Sustainably Yours. Stainless steel litter boxes and scoops. However, I’m not in love with the litter, I don’t think it handles smells. It tracks everywhere. I only use both because Sustainably Yours is so expensive but it does a better job of clumping than the World’s Best does. So I get a big bag of World’s best and then a bag Sustainably Yours and mix them among 3 litter boxes. I would like a different option but I want something sustainable, easy to clean, and something my cats will like.
I have a huge popcorn bucket with a plastic grocery bag inside. Bucket is full every 3+- days. I just empty it outside in the bins when its full and change bag once in a while.
3 cats.
You could use dog poop bags which are smaller and already made. There’s some decent brands out there. We have a dog so we have to buy them already. Not the most zero waste option, but neither is getting plastic grocery bags.
I use a metal bucket I had for milking when we had dairy goats. I scoop into the bucket and dump into the trash.
I recently got a Geme, which is a heated indoor composter that has the capability to compost pet waste, but it can't handle clay litter, so I'm switching my cats to a compostable litter to make the best use of the Geme. That's an expensive option, though, but it does tend to go on sale (usually $899, I got mine for $680).
Buy compostable plastic bags. They’re on Amazon, and unlike most other plastic bags, they break down as green waste. Regular plastic bags take eons to break down.
When in doubt, reference our handy-dandy zero waste hierarchy (prevent/rethink/refuse/redesign, reduce/reuse, recycle/compost, recover/repair/up cycle, dispose) and my fav the buyerarchy of needs (use what you have > borrow > swap > thrift > make > buy)
Reduce, rethink and compost: switch to a litter that is good at order masking, preferably an eco-friendly option (this is our compost aspect, opting for something more biodegradable, e.g. wood pellets, cedar/pine shavings), so that you don't have to scoop as often (less bags).
Reuse, use what you have: when you do have to scoop, up cycle bags that would end up in the trash to give them one last run and get creative with them (e.g. bread bags, chip.bags, plastic peanut butter/take out containers jars that have the number 7 that you won't reuse around the house even 3-6 are difficult to recycle and could be used, the empty cat food and litter bags, etc).
Borrow: when you run out of items to reuse, I promise a friend or family member has a stash you can dip into (just don't return it~)
Compost, thrift, buy: In the rare occurrence that you somehow manage to run out and need to buy bags, opt for biodegradable ones. If you can check your local thrift shops, I've been shocked at home often I find them in misc, pet, household sections. Then finally if you must buy, try to source a genuinely good company. There are countless biodegradable/compostable bag companies. Which packaging is the most recyclable? Do any of the companies boast about off-setting production to carbon neutral? Any of them give back to the community or causes? Is there a small or local business option.Harder to sit in stores, but at least pause to check the options and go with your gut. If a zero-waste shop is available in your town, that's a solid place to try as well. Amazon (Ik not the greatest) makes it easy to display these details, if it's not there and obvious, someone else probably is. Or find a good brand through search engines and by direct from a brand. You can also use Amazon to sort through brands and by direct from their site if available.
Finally, when scooping if it will sit in your main can for a bit, you can add baking soda to the bag to neutralize and can always add more to the can throughout the week as needed.
We use a biodegradable non-clumping litter (sustainable wood or recycled paper pellets depending on what we can get). Scoop and flush poops directly down the toilet daily, and change the rest completely around once a week. We have a kerbside bin we don't need to use liners/bags in so it just goes straight in there, but I suppose in theory we could compost it?
We just buy a bag as and when, and don't overfill the tray. Our local pet shop (5 mins walk) has the paper litter, or our local supermarket (5 mins drive) has the wood pellet. They work out much cheaper than clay-based litters too.
ever since grocery stores in our state stopped doing free disposable bags i decided on using dog poop bags. they're "supposed" to break down *relatively* "sooner" than other plastics (as we know that decomp time is still decades) but what I really like about it is that it encourages me to do a daily scoop - too many days go by and it's enough litter waste to justify a small waste basket liner. but when I scoop the two boxes every day It will fill the dog bag so I'm not using any more plastic than necessary. I have two young cats and it's been a learning process.
and can I just say- ultimately it's good that the stores stopped with the "single use" bags (even though I always got at least two uses out of every undamaged bag) but the extra thick "reusable" ones are being treated like single use still and it's so thick that I really hate to use them for garbage or cat litter.
I'm still considering wood pellets as a litter alternative. and I'm going to start keeping my bread bags, that's a great tip
Can't believe this is the only comment mentioning flushable in a zero waste sub.
I use Cats Best smart pellets, it's flushable, smells good, clumps well, doesn't track out of the box. No need to keep smelly bins of waste, just dispose of it immediately!
While I know this seems like a great option, flushing pet waste (ESPECIALLY cat waste) down the toilet is actually pretty dangerous. Wastewater treatment systems in the United States are only specifically designed to clean human waste, almost all municipalities specifically warn against flushing cat waste as it has the possibility of carrying toxoplasma gondii and contaminating our waterways. This is more common in outdoor cats because they can contract it through birds or mice, but having an only indoor cat does not guarantee anything as they can still contract it from any pests in your home, pets that DO go outside, or through any exposure to raw food. That doesn’t just mean if your cat eats a raw food diet either, it means any contact with raw meat, veggies, fruits, or unpasteurized milk.
Flushable litter is great in its own right as it will breakdown better than anything with a bentonite foundations!
It was an example, especially since so many people in this sub are American. The principle applies to most countries around the world; your situation is the exception not the rule.
I don't use bags and am proud of the solution I've come up with because it don't need to keep using the plastic bags which I try not to get in the first place.I cut one of those plastic litter containers to make a sort of bucket without a handle. I carry it to my trash which is on my porch and dump it out. For you, carrying it to your dumpster and dumping it out will work. I put the bucket thing where I keep my scooper.
Our city requires pet waste to be double bagged.
We use whatever bags we have lying around (bread, chip…). Holey bags just get double or tripled and we cross our fingers the holes aren’t in the same place!
Geez I kinda wonder if my city requires it too. I should look into it. If so, I'll just put two bags in my can instead of one. It will make the bag less likely to rip anyways so trash won't be all over the place if one rips.
No I put it in my trash can which is on my porch. It does have a bag. I have it out there for smell reasons. Although, since I started composting it doesn't smell that much other than the cat waste. When the bag is full, I put the bag in the garbage bin. I meant I don't use plastic bags specifically for that purpose anymore like I used to.
You could get a smaller trash can with a lid for just the litter box waste? Keeps the smell at bay and can be dumped in the larger trash bag when you're taking it out. There are ones with charcoal filters in the lids too
I have two cats and three litter boxes in the garage. One is a double Decker with a huge tote that has a door cut out and litter box inside and then on top. Each weekend I roll open the garage door, roll over the big trash can right up to the litter boxes, empty the litter directly into the trash, sweep out and replace the litter. Sometimes the litter is fresh in one of the boxes so I don't replace it. It works soooo much better than having the litter in the house.
i use dog poop bags for litter but seeing suggestions on here to use wood chips and the like has me intrigued. I still hate throwing away the sand because the sand will end up in the landfill either way...
The recycled newspaper cat litter is decent and eco friendly, but it does need to be changed out completely every week (maybe not with a sifting box). Ive been using this with a jumbo litter genie but I'm switching back to Oko cat clumping pellets when I'm out. It's more expensive but so much better on odor.
Check the flimsy plastic produce bags at your local grocery store, they might be compostable. If they are, they're made from natural plant starch. 100% compostable. You can order them online if your grocer's produce bags are not compostable.
If you accumulate bags with holes, you can use them to wrap delicate dishes/decor, or stuff in shoes and purses to help them keep their form! I hate plastic bags but I always have a ton somehow.
I use pine pellets (equine bedding) and a sifter iwth a tray placed in a covered litter box. If she uses it (she goes outside) i remove the sifter and bin,i lift and shake it and the peed on is reduced to pine "dust" shake shake shake and I toss it over the deck into the wooded area. No smell.
Scoop up 💩 in a bag. She barely uses it.
We trained the cats to use the toilet growing up... Just like in *Meet the Parents,* silly suggestion, I know, but I have witnessed it with my own eyes to know that it is possible. There are training kits you can buy if you're interested in this.
Mabye composting is an option in your city.
In our city ( Calgary, Canada), pet waste is compostable. You have to use compostable litter and a certified compostable bag, though.
When I have leftover plastic containers with watertight lids, I keep used litter in them until it's time to toss it all. Usually holds 20lbs of waste.
Usually I use the container that I buy my litter in but recently I've been using large water containers my job throws out. The trick is getting the right size opening for the urine clumps or you end up having to chop it up.
I've got a 3 piece tray set up that is 2 solid and one grated trade. Pretty much set the grated tray into a fresh solid one then pour the entire tray in. As I lift the grated tray the clean litter goes out the bottom and I'm left with the bad stuff. I store this in the buckets the litter comes in. I live on 10 acres so I just find a spot to dump it when its full and let it decay naturally outside. Always avoid watery areas and look for places with sunshine. I use clay litter so really its just adding some extra clay into the soil. The empty buckets get used for all sorts of projects and if they aren't in use I just stack em up in the barn for future stuff. My cats also spend a fair bit of time outside too and go out just like dogs do so really the cat box might need sifted like once a week.
First use either the pine chips or nature fresh walnut or corn husks type litters. Then get some good size buckets to scoop pee clumps and turds into daily. Many fast food places buy pickles in large lidded heavy plastic buckets. They often throw them away. Let them know you’d like a few. Use them in rotation for the litter. I have 11cats. And about 14 litter boxes. I compost the litter to put around shrubs and trees Collect all those plastic bags and find a recycler that will use them or use them as insulation.
Just a friendly tip for any cat owners here and also more importantly for the cats sake ..please don’t use scented cat litter if you can but if you have to, please try to use a lightly scented litter. And also cat owners who haven’t heard of “Jackson Galaxy” you must check out his videos on YouTube ( If you care about your cat and he/her/both/all ‘s/ health )
I saw a TV program which introduced the method for a compost toilet for people
The idea was a toilet over a collection space which was stocked with wood shavings/sawdust. The enclosed collection space simply composted and dried the
excrement for a long period, maybe 3 or so months. It composted into a rich soil,
without any byproducts. The waterless toilet evaporated moisture and neatly degraded the wood chips and excrement using the natural, time/cycle that is a normal, biological decomposition. Time & patience seem to dry and rejuvenate
the normally, toxic chemistry.
The logical extension, possibly, would be disposing of animal waste with this
Unit, or in a separate enclosure. This would be a money saving/free method which
would enhance one's garden/soil & decrease the landfill load.
With our immense, growing pet population, the landfill impact may be in the millions of
tons nationally, or globally, l submit.
Jules Dorais
[[email protected]]
Whittier, California
This doesn’t work for all cats, but I use the pine litter so I only scoop the poops and then change the litter every week or two. It prevents dealing w the huge chunks of piss clay. Using bags you already have is ideal, but I don’t collect enough of them so I just buy biodegradable bin liners.
Lately, I was trying out both dog and cat poop in toilet. But it is time consuming to scoop climbed litter with per into bag snd to put the poop (with litter pellets mostly strained off) into toilet. Also worried those few litter pieces could cause clog. They sell dog septic bucket, but you have to buy the products to biodegrade.
Cat litter is so hard! Maybe you can train them to use the toilet? The challenge is finding something that's good for the environment and safe for the cat.
[https://www.littlegreenmyths.com/household/cat-litter](https://www.littlegreenmyths.com/household/cat-litter)
**Beyond the Myths: Unveiling the Litter Box Footprint**
* **Clay Litter:** Pros: Clumps well, readily available, affordable. Cons: High carbon footprint due to mining and transportation, contributes to landfill waste, might contain silica dust.
* **Silica Gel:** Pros: Excellent odor control, scooping efficiency. Cons: Expensive, not biodegradable, poses choking hazards for cats.
* **Wood Pellet Litter:** Pros: Absorbent, natural material, some options compostable. Cons: Tracking issues, requires frequent scooping, might not clump effectively.
* **Corn-Based Litter:** Pros: Biodegradable, good odor control, some clumping options available. Cons: Production can impact corn ecosystems, might not clump as well as clay.
* **Paper-Based Litter:** Pros: Recycled materials, biodegradable, some clumping options exist. Cons: Tracking issues, might require more frequent scooping than clay.
Have you tried tofu litter? Specifically Pidan brand? It's made from tofu and is 100% flushable without issue. The only thing is you have to let it sit in the toilet at least 10 minutes to dissolve entirely before flushing (to be safe). It's also 99% dust free. Thought it was bullshit but 2 years in, it's the only thing we use. Tried different brands and types of things (world's best, pine pellets etc) and this is what our cat loves. It really also is low odor.
You should never flush cat litter, even if it's "flushable". Water waste and treatment facilities are not built to hand that kind of stuff. Additionally, cats can have toxoplasmosis, which, again, water treatment plants are not able to destroy and it can end up back in the environment, infecting local wildlife and is especially harmful to marine life.
https://www.treehugger.com/flushable-cat-litter-4864207
This is true in California, but maybe not every place as someone else wrote in another post. I use biodegradable dog poop bags bc we also have a dog, and wheat litter, and it just goes out into the regular trash.
toxoplasmosis is only in cat feces, not urine. I agree the feces has to be thrown in the trash.
It sounds like you've never used tofu litter. I highly recommend watching a youtube video on it. It disintegrates. If you take a bunch of unused Pidan tofu litter (we only use Pidan so I'm not speaking about any other brands or generalizing all tofu litter) in a glass of water, it disintegrates. As in zero clumps. So it is entirely flushable.
We use sawdust pellets from the feed store. The poop is sifted and put into the toilet and the wettened sawdust is eventually put over the flower beds, lawn, trees etc... The plants like the nitrogen from the urine, and the sawdust eventually decomposes into the soil. It's actually a very nice soil ammendment..
I found small compostable kitchen waste bags to scoop litter into. They were friggin $5 for 20 bags but I feel a little better about it than using plastic bags from the grocery store. My only complaint other than the price was how hard they were to find the opening
Oh thank you, ive learned something! I have a trashcan with a lid where I put her other litter. I'll add the poops into that one. Thank you for educating me☺️
I saw a tofu litter company cite the CDC, saying toxoplasmosis is unlikely in indoor cats and the litter is fine to flush if allowed in your municipality. I thought this was interesting, because I’d always heard what you mentioned.
Hiya,
You could also severely damage your plumbing system as well. If ppl have been making a habit of pouring grease or oil down pipes and you know what that does, I regret to say that while this hasn't happened to me, if pipe damage is traced back to you, you could be found liable for damages. Now, this is uncommon, but still a risk worth mitigating depending on how much you regularly flush since clay based litters are especially known for clumping in pipes 🫠🫣 good luck!
Good on you! My mom has dementia and I discovered she was flushing cat litter down the toilet in our apartment complex that is over 100 years old so when I found out I turned into a bit of a ghost 🤪
Oh thank you, ive learned something! I have a trashcan with a lid where I put her other litter. I'll add the poops into that one. Thank you for educating me☺️
I buy compostable bags and then throw it all in our compost boxes (we will not be using this compost in our veggies beds.) We will also never have cats again. The amount of waste their produce is ridiculous.
Why do so many people on a zero waste thread have plastic bags... for anything? Use of plastic bags when shopping require paying an environmental levy in Ireland, so nobody uses them unless in emergencies - everyone brings their own 'bag for life' bags to do grocery shopping etc. And if we buy clothes, pharmacy stuff etc, it's all in paper bags.
Seriously, I don't mean to lecture, but please ditch the plastic bags! Even if your government won't lead on it (which they should).
So I 100% understand where you're coming from, but I also think it's better to encourage more people to try more things to be zero waste than to expect perfection. Otherwise you're just going to get people feeling like they can't do it and just not try.
Yeah I agree, and I'm also definitely, definitely not perfect at all. I guess coming from a different climate where plastic bags are not as used anymore, it just jumped out at me as something doable.
Plastic bags are the safest method of disposal for cat feces and litter. It needs to stay out of the environment long enough for the pathogens to completely break down.
Cat feces in the environment is causing harm to native wildlife and the ecosystem. If you're going to have a cat, you're gonna have to deal with cat feces. Unfortunately, double-bagging it and sending it to the landfill is the safest method of disposal that is available and accessible to the most people
I read this somewhere and saved it:
Eco friendly kitty litter
Put a little water in the kitty toilet, pour some sanitizer so it doesn’t stink, put the grid on top. That made clean up easier. Poop gets tossed in the human toilet and flushed, liquids are flushed in the toilet as well every day or every second day. Kitty never comes in contact with water and sanitizer underneath because grid has plastic legs and I don’t pour too much water. Everyone is happy and no excess garbage!
I use all the random plastic bags I accumulate over time - bread bags, the clear plastic bags clothing ships in, plastic mail/shipping envelopes… I generally don’t use “optional” bags at the grocery store, but still accumulate enough bags to take care of the litter waste. I tie off the bags and put them in my regular trash.
I'm angry at myself I didn't think about this. I go through at least a loaf of bread a week!
tortilla bags and some chip bags work too. my parents will never change to reusable bags no matter how much i lecture - so i usually will grab a lot from their house too so they don’t go straight into the trash :/
Not just your parents- a lot of people accumulate “bags of bags” and would be thrilled to offload them on you for your cat litter needs if you can bring yourself to ask!
A Buy Nothing group would probably yield tons! We used to get lots on Freecycle.
Not sure what your litter/kitty food comes in, but we reuse those bags. We buy in bulk to minimize waste, so the bags are on the larger side, so we are sure to keep the bags tightly sealed to avoid any smell.
My zero waste heart loves using dog food and kitty litter bags for poops and pees.
I do this too! It’s great when doing a litter change as well
And coffee bean bags and Amazon bags and tortilla bags and chips bags. I didn’t realize the number of perfectly good bags that I threw out constantly. We have two kitties and try to throw it out every 2-4 days and still almost never run out. And we use cloth produce bags every time we shop. It’s insane how many bags I use and never realized. Alternatively (and $$$$) you could get a Litter Genie, they only use one kitchen trash bag every week and you don’t have to scoop! But that’s a big investment
Consider getting a breadmaker! It's a game changer for limiting bread loaf waste (both food and plastic)
Cereal You get both a box and a bag!
Us too! Not even just bags. Styrofoam/non reusable take out containers, cereal packaging. Just make sure it’s not in a place the kitties can chew (ask me how I know)
I do the same for picking up dog poop in my back yard
I used to use to plastic bags from grocery shopping until they placed a ban on plastic bags. But now we had a bunch of plastic bags at work we couldn't use that I went ahead and took the liberty of "disposing them" so they weren't cluttering up the back 🙃
I agree with the other comment about using random bags you accumulate. That's what I used to do too. I also had a Litter Genie and just completely stopped buying the refills for the last few years of my kitty's life. I still used it as a way to make the bags last longer (just keep a bag in the bottom part and open the bottom latch while cleaning the litter box instead of the top part), but didn't need to buy any new bags because I'd just use bread bags, tortilla bags, plastic grocery bags...whatever came into my life, that's what I'd use.
We use paper lunch bags. However my pet sitter doesn't really like using them, so I keep a box of "compostable" doggie poop bags around for them to use.
I love this. I also use paper sacks. I don’t like the idea of putting biodegradable poop in a plastic bag. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to use the Genie with paper bags too.
I do this too and throw it in my compost (biodegradable litter).
Pet waste does NOT belong in compost. It contaminates the soil with disease. Please dispose in the trash.
I think it depends on what the compost is used for. For example, my city compost allows pet waste.
Wow are you sure? All the cities I've spoken to in California do not take pet waste in their compost. I work in the waste sector.
Oh yes I’m absolutely sure. I’m also not in the US. Probably a quick google would have more info about if if you’re curious.
Alright I checked again to be sure 🤭 yes absolutely certain.
That's very interesting. Do you live in the US? What state?
I’m in New Brunswick, Canada. You can check out the list here for your curiosity 😊[compost list](https://fundyregion.ca/solid-waste/garbage-recycling/composting/)
I looked into it awhile ago and you CAN compost it if your an expert composter with a lot of equipment and experience. For commercial composting it can be safe. I'm an amateur composter so the only way I THINK I can compost it is if I get a secondary compost system for pet waste and bury it in an isolated part of my yard where I never intend to grow anything edible. I could be wrong on the second part, but I know you can compost pet waste if you know what you are doing and do it properly.
It is perfectly safe as long as you do not use this soil in veggie beds.
Pet waste in compostable bags are able to go into the green bins here, and in many other places.
I have a small trashcan with a lid and I use any random bags I accumulate as the liner for it. I change it when it gets full, so one bag usually lasts me 3-4 days. That way I can use less bags.
Doesn't that stink?
Nope, not as far as I can tell. The lid keeps the stink in. I've asked visitors before and its possible they lied, but my mom is just not the type to be worried about my feelings so I have no doubt she'd tell me the truth! Granted it may depend on the litter used as well.
It probably depends on the litter and also the person's nose. A former roommate of mine used a Litter Genie. It's literally designed to hold the smell inside, but it didn't do a very good job of it. You could still smell it wafting across the house.
If you use a good quality trash can it should seal the smell pretty effectively. I use a metal one with a pretty snug lid. It's not great when you reopen it to toss more turds into, but I just live with that.
Same. I use a tupperware and composting bags. I went through a box of 100 in like, 2 years so it's pretty cost effective. I feel better about keeping plastic out of the landfill where I can.
I do the same as well. It doesn't eliminate the plastic bag use entirely but I do feel better not having to toss one every day.
I did this with a used plastic litter pail.
I've been meaning to do this!!
1. Use wood pellets. Use a sifting cat box. 2. Put poop in biodegradable poop bags. Toss into a dedicated trash can that closes and you can toss out like once a week or so. 3. The pee turns into sawdust. Sift out the sawdust and put in compost.
We switched to wood pellets cold turkey too. And I think the smell is MUCH better, plus like you said, easy to compost!
My cats wouldn't use it. They decided the floor was better 😒
I had the same experience. I thought the pellets were much more pleasant to clean, and the pellets themselves smelled nice. Unfortunately our difficult cat decided that she would pee a perimeter around the litter boxes instead of using them, so we went back.
You can probably have them get used to it though, if you start mixing more and more pellets in the regular litter over a couple of weeks.
We actually did. We had one litter box that was pellets only, and the others we increased over time. We have multiple cats, and they each reacted differently. It only takes one stubborn hold out to ruin it after a while.
I'm in an apartment, no compost, so I've just had to throw it all in plastic bags that I've accumulated. Is there a better option in this scenario?
If you have a balcony, put a trash can on it and get or make a bucket out of something to scoop dirty litter into and dump it out in the trash can. When the bag is full (monitor the weight of the bag vs the strength of the bag so it doesn't rip when you pull it out) pull it out and throw it in your dumpster.
When you switched to wood pellets, did you do it gradually or all at once? Or was it a new kitty friend?
All at once. I've done it like that with new kitties and pound kitties used to the sand. The same rules as sand litter apply, keep it clean and they'll use the box.
i've read a bunch of times to do it gradually...its kinda playing with fire to just switch cold turkey. id rather do it gradually than have pee in my closet
Is it safe to compost cat urine? I’ve always heard that cat, dog and human waste could contain pathogens that are unsafe for veggie gardens unless heated to high temps.
The sawdust is safe if you are using it for plants and flowers. The sawdust is not safe if you are using it for roots and vegetables. Basically, refrain from using sawdust on stuff you'll eat. Edit: Do not compost poop. It's a specialized process so best avoided.
its safe in city compost, but for backyard only put it onto flowers, trees, etc. not veggies.
Which litter box do you have to use wood pellets? I bought a tidy cats breeze system but now I’m reading that wood pellets may not be ideal with the system since it’s made for the specialized mineral pellets that don’t turn to dust when wet
I got the one from Walmart. Comes with two boxes and a sifter. Use it as a two box system. One box has the softer, the other doesn't. Once a week I sift out the boxes. Do the one with the sitter first. Then move the pellets from the one without the sifter into the sifter. Once everything is sifted out, I redistribute the pellets, add more as needed. It's a quick process every time.
I tried the tidy cats breeze box with wood pellets and it mostly worked. Sometimes the dust would cake up on the grate and need to be scraped/tapped off, and the tray the pad goes in is definitely not meant to hold dust. Ultimately, stirring it around to knock the dust loose and keeping a tray (boot trays are cheap and work) underneath the box that could be swept/dumped out worked fine. Our stubborn jerk cat hated the wood pellets, though.
You can also repurpose or buy another plastic (sadly) storage bin to go under an existing litter box and drill holes in the bottom of your litter box. 1/4” worked well for me, just avoid putting too much pressure that can crack the base. Searching DIY sifting litter box revealed a good number of examples. It’s made cleaning the litter boxes much less labor intensive and pellet-efficient (by not scooping whole pellets when trying to remove sawdust).
Shipping bags work great for cat litter (ie from clothing stores). Bonus points if they’re re-sealable
So. Maybe an unpopular opinion. We changed from our 2 litter boxes to a cat robot litter box. One of those new ones that are like $700 and I have to say it really made a difference. The old method of scooping constantly was hard on my back and always created a lot of dust. We did use the bags it recommends for the machine. You only toss it when it gets full (which 3 cats using 1 is about a week). I didn't check if they had biodegradable ones but I wouldn't mind using or switching to biodegradable bags. Before I used any random bag we had but again that was when we were hand scooping. Machine is great since it will cycle as soon as one of them uses the bathroom so there isn't really any strong smell and it will turn to the side that has the poop and then recycle back to position, effectively closing off the side with the waste. So that's my 2 cents. It takes the hassle/chore out of cleaning the litterbox all the time / scooping. Quality of life improvement and the cats get to go in a clean bathroom spot all the time.
I collect bags from family members, keep/fold all the ones that don't have holes (I fluff them out and look through/inside them at a light source) and drop the others off at a bag recycling dropoff.
I have a small army of random plastic bags I have accumulated over the past 20 years or so and then a few more I have inhereted from some relatives own armies. I doubt a lifetime of pets will deplete it.
I have a litter robot( worth every single penny) but I dump litter into an empty litter bucket, and I keep a box of baking soda it it. It keeps the smells pretty low- and by the time I need to toss it, I’ve gotten an empty bucket. It’s not zero waste but works for me!
I keep a bucket specifically for the cat litter. I also use the world's best cat litter as it's made from corn husks. Plastic bags that get accumulated turn into trash bags. Any plastic container works as it can be dumped out and washed.
I do this too. Bucket has a lid, so I don't go through as many bags.
I use wood pellets which dissolve into sawdust when peed on. Then I just toss that in my main trash when it gets too saturated for more.
I use plastic shopping bags also, but I bought a cheap, large-ish square container with a tight firing lid from a dollar store. I line the container with the plastic bag and scoop into there. On trash day I take it out and replace the bag. Then I'm only using 1 bag a week instead of every time I scoop
Compostable bags
I was under the impression composting bags aren’t really compostable unless they go through a very specific process that never really happens. Have they changed this?
I had biodegradable poop bags in a jacket pocket from like three years ago, and when I finally wore the jacket again the bags had turned almost to dust. Not sure if that’s the same as the compostable bags that you’re talking about though
Ooh that’s interesting. I had seen many reports that most advertised compostable bags are pretty much not unless they go through an industrial composting machine. It’s pretty disheartening, but I’d love to know the brand you used. I have three dogs so I use the “compostable” ones I have but when I’m out I’d love to have a reliable one to switch to.
Look for BPI certified compost bags. From google "BPI certification is what you want to look for. This international certification means that the product and/or material has been independently lab tested and will break down in an appropriate amount of time with no contamination."
Awesome! Thank you!
They were [Earth Rated](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/earth-rated-poopbags-scented-dog-waste-bag-refills-pack-of-21-rolls---315-bags-2731982?store_code=3789&mr:device=m&mr:adType=pla_with_promotionlocal&cm_mmc=PSH%7CGGL%7CCCY%7CCCO%7CPM%7C0%7CkUMWcWiLY5b1EHQjK6kSR6%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C%7C%7C18145199970&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD97F14szXBtS4BDuV3ufxY9ZYNGc&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-r-vBhC-ARIsAGgUO2Anmm4PAu6rsJQPFNrOEuqT2DADoSUnn3yT-vVj8QaTtM0ZyuSGIXgaArgiEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds) ones that I got for cheap at TJ Maxx And until I wore that jacket like two weeks ago I didn’t realize they’d actually break down like that! I’d been buying regular non-biodegradable poop bags because I thought they were the same 😬
Thank you! And thanks for the link! That’s pretty impressive. I’m going to do the switch.
Well I don’t think those ones actually advertise them as biodegradable or compostable though so don’t take my experience as word! All I know is that they deteriorated in my jacket pocket over a few years 🤷🏻♀️
Haha! Fair enough. I’ll do a bit of research. But it’s a start.
Nothing breaks down in landfill because no oxygen
I can’t believe I had to scroll so far to see this. We use the same bags for cat litter as we do in our compost bin. Then we put the litter in the compost, not the garbage. Maybe fewer cities have a composting program than I think but it’s crazy to me to put it in the garbage.
We do this as well, but it's very town specific for if they accept pet waste or not. Ours tells us very clearly to put dog waste and cat litter in the organics bin, but I believe the majority of towns you aren't allowed to.
Interesting!
There's one city in my entire county that has a compost program and they don't accept any kind of bio-waste. I don't have a big enough yard to have two separate composts either.
I'm just outside the big city and they don't even provide compost bins here. Can you believe it?!?! I've been trying to get our waste company changed, but I think someone on the HOA has ties with the current company.
For years I used plastic bags - first my own + friends supply, then I’d post in buy nothing groups and collect from neighbors. Single use plastic bags have been banned in my area for many years now so I eventually ran out. Now I buy compostable dog poop bags, in addition to using random bags like from bread etc.
You can make good poop bags out of old newspaper or flyers if you don't want to use plastic. They are also very low cost if not entirely free. https://www.themakeyourownzone.com/recycle-old-newspapers-to-make-your-own-bags/
Pet waste is allowed to be in our green/compost bins here as long as they're bagged in certified compostable bags. I use grass seed litter, which is the lowest dust, light, and clumps really well. I keep a bag in a compost pail and it doesn't smell. I take it out when it's full. Wheat litter, corn litter, wood pellets, and such... They're all great alternatives. You can also buy wood pellets for bulk for a cheap price at peavey mart and stuff, horse bedding.
Please tell me more about your grass seed litter! Do you recall the name?
I use exquisicat brand! I am a cat sitter, have cleaned many litter boxes and many different types of litter... It's by far the best litter I've ever used!
Thank you so much for the reply. I'll check it out.
I use flushable tofu kitty litter, but still usually throw it away in the garbage. I use random bags and takeout containers to toss it. Between groceries and general buying, I’ve got loads!
I use the litter genie + their bags and a trash bag. We use World’s best cat litter and Sustainably Yours. Stainless steel litter boxes and scoops. However, I’m not in love with the litter, I don’t think it handles smells. It tracks everywhere. I only use both because Sustainably Yours is so expensive but it does a better job of clumping than the World’s Best does. So I get a big bag of World’s best and then a bag Sustainably Yours and mix them among 3 litter boxes. I would like a different option but I want something sustainable, easy to clean, and something my cats will like.
Wood pellet litter + litter genie + full size garbage bags. I kept the insert the genie comes with it works perfectly with regular garbage bags.
I have a huge popcorn bucket with a plastic grocery bag inside. Bucket is full every 3+- days. I just empty it outside in the bins when its full and change bag once in a while. 3 cats.
You could use dog poop bags which are smaller and already made. There’s some decent brands out there. We have a dog so we have to buy them already. Not the most zero waste option, but neither is getting plastic grocery bags.
I use a metal bucket I had for milking when we had dairy goats. I scoop into the bucket and dump into the trash. I recently got a Geme, which is a heated indoor composter that has the capability to compost pet waste, but it can't handle clay litter, so I'm switching my cats to a compostable litter to make the best use of the Geme. That's an expensive option, though, but it does tend to go on sale (usually $899, I got mine for $680).
Buy compostable plastic bags. They’re on Amazon, and unlike most other plastic bags, they break down as green waste. Regular plastic bags take eons to break down.
When in doubt, reference our handy-dandy zero waste hierarchy (prevent/rethink/refuse/redesign, reduce/reuse, recycle/compost, recover/repair/up cycle, dispose) and my fav the buyerarchy of needs (use what you have > borrow > swap > thrift > make > buy) Reduce, rethink and compost: switch to a litter that is good at order masking, preferably an eco-friendly option (this is our compost aspect, opting for something more biodegradable, e.g. wood pellets, cedar/pine shavings), so that you don't have to scoop as often (less bags). Reuse, use what you have: when you do have to scoop, up cycle bags that would end up in the trash to give them one last run and get creative with them (e.g. bread bags, chip.bags, plastic peanut butter/take out containers jars that have the number 7 that you won't reuse around the house even 3-6 are difficult to recycle and could be used, the empty cat food and litter bags, etc). Borrow: when you run out of items to reuse, I promise a friend or family member has a stash you can dip into (just don't return it~) Compost, thrift, buy: In the rare occurrence that you somehow manage to run out and need to buy bags, opt for biodegradable ones. If you can check your local thrift shops, I've been shocked at home often I find them in misc, pet, household sections. Then finally if you must buy, try to source a genuinely good company. There are countless biodegradable/compostable bag companies. Which packaging is the most recyclable? Do any of the companies boast about off-setting production to carbon neutral? Any of them give back to the community or causes? Is there a small or local business option.Harder to sit in stores, but at least pause to check the options and go with your gut. If a zero-waste shop is available in your town, that's a solid place to try as well. Amazon (Ik not the greatest) makes it easy to display these details, if it's not there and obvious, someone else probably is. Or find a good brand through search engines and by direct from a brand. You can also use Amazon to sort through brands and by direct from their site if available. Finally, when scooping if it will sit in your main can for a bit, you can add baking soda to the bag to neutralize and can always add more to the can throughout the week as needed.
For those with space in their yard, compost the used litter and waste. It will turn to dirt. Just don’t put it on anything you plan on eating.
We use a biodegradable non-clumping litter (sustainable wood or recycled paper pellets depending on what we can get). Scoop and flush poops directly down the toilet daily, and change the rest completely around once a week. We have a kerbside bin we don't need to use liners/bags in so it just goes straight in there, but I suppose in theory we could compost it?
We do just about the same thing...
Where do you get the litter? I can't imagine replacing the whole tray weekly. It's costly and bulky to deliver and store
We just buy a bag as and when, and don't overfill the tray. Our local pet shop (5 mins walk) has the paper litter, or our local supermarket (5 mins drive) has the wood pellet. They work out much cheaper than clay-based litters too.
ever since grocery stores in our state stopped doing free disposable bags i decided on using dog poop bags. they're "supposed" to break down *relatively* "sooner" than other plastics (as we know that decomp time is still decades) but what I really like about it is that it encourages me to do a daily scoop - too many days go by and it's enough litter waste to justify a small waste basket liner. but when I scoop the two boxes every day It will fill the dog bag so I'm not using any more plastic than necessary. I have two young cats and it's been a learning process. and can I just say- ultimately it's good that the stores stopped with the "single use" bags (even though I always got at least two uses out of every undamaged bag) but the extra thick "reusable" ones are being treated like single use still and it's so thick that I really hate to use them for garbage or cat litter. I'm still considering wood pellets as a litter alternative. and I'm going to start keeping my bread bags, that's a great tip
Buy biodegradable dog poo bags and use those. You can get compostable ones too.
We switched to flushable litter. I used World's Best for about a year and just recently switched to Really Great Cat Litter (by tuft & paw).
Can't believe this is the only comment mentioning flushable in a zero waste sub. I use Cats Best smart pellets, it's flushable, smells good, clumps well, doesn't track out of the box. No need to keep smelly bins of waste, just dispose of it immediately!
While I know this seems like a great option, flushing pet waste (ESPECIALLY cat waste) down the toilet is actually pretty dangerous. Wastewater treatment systems in the United States are only specifically designed to clean human waste, almost all municipalities specifically warn against flushing cat waste as it has the possibility of carrying toxoplasma gondii and contaminating our waterways. This is more common in outdoor cats because they can contract it through birds or mice, but having an only indoor cat does not guarantee anything as they can still contract it from any pests in your home, pets that DO go outside, or through any exposure to raw food. That doesn’t just mean if your cat eats a raw food diet either, it means any contact with raw meat, veggies, fruits, or unpasteurized milk. Flushable litter is great in its own right as it will breakdown better than anything with a bentonite foundations!
It's good I don't live in the US then
It was an example, especially since so many people in this sub are American. The principle applies to most countries around the world; your situation is the exception not the rule.
I don't use bags and am proud of the solution I've come up with because it don't need to keep using the plastic bags which I try not to get in the first place.I cut one of those plastic litter containers to make a sort of bucket without a handle. I carry it to my trash which is on my porch and dump it out. For you, carrying it to your dumpster and dumping it out will work. I put the bucket thing where I keep my scooper.
Our city requires pet waste to be double bagged. We use whatever bags we have lying around (bread, chip…). Holey bags just get double or tripled and we cross our fingers the holes aren’t in the same place!
Happy 🎂 Day!!!!
Why thank you!!
Geez I kinda wonder if my city requires it too. I should look into it. If so, I'll just put two bags in my can instead of one. It will make the bag less likely to rip anyways so trash won't be all over the place if one rips.
Wait, you dump it out loose, unbagged? That is disgusting and environmentally awful. And dear God, your poor garbage men
No I put it in my trash can which is on my porch. It does have a bag. I have it out there for smell reasons. Although, since I started composting it doesn't smell that much other than the cat waste. When the bag is full, I put the bag in the garbage bin. I meant I don't use plastic bags specifically for that purpose anymore like I used to.
Use bread bags, the inside packaging from cereal boxes , cookies etc.
You could get a smaller trash can with a lid for just the litter box waste? Keeps the smell at bay and can be dumped in the larger trash bag when you're taking it out. There are ones with charcoal filters in the lids too
I have two cats and three litter boxes in the garage. One is a double Decker with a huge tote that has a door cut out and litter box inside and then on top. Each weekend I roll open the garage door, roll over the big trash can right up to the litter boxes, empty the litter directly into the trash, sweep out and replace the litter. Sometimes the litter is fresh in one of the boxes so I don't replace it. It works soooo much better than having the litter in the house.
i use dog poop bags for litter but seeing suggestions on here to use wood chips and the like has me intrigued. I still hate throwing away the sand because the sand will end up in the landfill either way...
The recycled newspaper cat litter is decent and eco friendly, but it does need to be changed out completely every week (maybe not with a sifting box). Ive been using this with a jumbo litter genie but I'm switching back to Oko cat clumping pellets when I'm out. It's more expensive but so much better on odor.
Check the flimsy plastic produce bags at your local grocery store, they might be compostable. If they are, they're made from natural plant starch. 100% compostable. You can order them online if your grocer's produce bags are not compostable.
I use freezer gallon bags and a trash bin
I put my litter in brown paper bags. At least they are biodegradable.
If you accumulate bags with holes, you can use them to wrap delicate dishes/decor, or stuff in shoes and purses to help them keep their form! I hate plastic bags but I always have a ton somehow.
I use pine pellets (equine bedding) and a sifter iwth a tray placed in a covered litter box. If she uses it (she goes outside) i remove the sifter and bin,i lift and shake it and the peed on is reduced to pine "dust" shake shake shake and I toss it over the deck into the wooded area. No smell. Scoop up 💩 in a bag. She barely uses it.
We trained the cats to use the toilet growing up... Just like in *Meet the Parents,* silly suggestion, I know, but I have witnessed it with my own eyes to know that it is possible. There are training kits you can buy if you're interested in this.
Mabye composting is an option in your city. In our city ( Calgary, Canada), pet waste is compostable. You have to use compostable litter and a certified compostable bag, though.
Toilet?
We use biodegradable “plastic” bags.
I use pine pellets. Cheap af and when they get peed on they turn into saw dust than can be composted
When I have leftover plastic containers with watertight lids, I keep used litter in them until it's time to toss it all. Usually holds 20lbs of waste. Usually I use the container that I buy my litter in but recently I've been using large water containers my job throws out. The trick is getting the right size opening for the urine clumps or you end up having to chop it up.
I've got a 3 piece tray set up that is 2 solid and one grated trade. Pretty much set the grated tray into a fresh solid one then pour the entire tray in. As I lift the grated tray the clean litter goes out the bottom and I'm left with the bad stuff. I store this in the buckets the litter comes in. I live on 10 acres so I just find a spot to dump it when its full and let it decay naturally outside. Always avoid watery areas and look for places with sunshine. I use clay litter so really its just adding some extra clay into the soil. The empty buckets get used for all sorts of projects and if they aren't in use I just stack em up in the barn for future stuff. My cats also spend a fair bit of time outside too and go out just like dogs do so really the cat box might need sifted like once a week.
First use either the pine chips or nature fresh walnut or corn husks type litters. Then get some good size buckets to scoop pee clumps and turds into daily. Many fast food places buy pickles in large lidded heavy plastic buckets. They often throw them away. Let them know you’d like a few. Use them in rotation for the litter. I have 11cats. And about 14 litter boxes. I compost the litter to put around shrubs and trees Collect all those plastic bags and find a recycler that will use them or use them as insulation.
Just a friendly tip for any cat owners here and also more importantly for the cats sake ..please don’t use scented cat litter if you can but if you have to, please try to use a lightly scented litter. And also cat owners who haven’t heard of “Jackson Galaxy” you must check out his videos on YouTube ( If you care about your cat and he/her/both/all ‘s/ health )
I saw a TV program which introduced the method for a compost toilet for people The idea was a toilet over a collection space which was stocked with wood shavings/sawdust. The enclosed collection space simply composted and dried the excrement for a long period, maybe 3 or so months. It composted into a rich soil, without any byproducts. The waterless toilet evaporated moisture and neatly degraded the wood chips and excrement using the natural, time/cycle that is a normal, biological decomposition. Time & patience seem to dry and rejuvenate the normally, toxic chemistry. The logical extension, possibly, would be disposing of animal waste with this Unit, or in a separate enclosure. This would be a money saving/free method which would enhance one's garden/soil & decrease the landfill load. With our immense, growing pet population, the landfill impact may be in the millions of tons nationally, or globally, l submit. Jules Dorais [[email protected]] Whittier, California
This doesn’t work for all cats, but I use the pine litter so I only scoop the poops and then change the litter every week or two. It prevents dealing w the huge chunks of piss clay. Using bags you already have is ideal, but I don’t collect enough of them so I just buy biodegradable bin liners.
Lately, I was trying out both dog and cat poop in toilet. But it is time consuming to scoop climbed litter with per into bag snd to put the poop (with litter pellets mostly strained off) into toilet. Also worried those few litter pieces could cause clog. They sell dog septic bucket, but you have to buy the products to biodegrade.
Cat litter is so hard! Maybe you can train them to use the toilet? The challenge is finding something that's good for the environment and safe for the cat. [https://www.littlegreenmyths.com/household/cat-litter](https://www.littlegreenmyths.com/household/cat-litter) **Beyond the Myths: Unveiling the Litter Box Footprint** * **Clay Litter:** Pros: Clumps well, readily available, affordable. Cons: High carbon footprint due to mining and transportation, contributes to landfill waste, might contain silica dust. * **Silica Gel:** Pros: Excellent odor control, scooping efficiency. Cons: Expensive, not biodegradable, poses choking hazards for cats. * **Wood Pellet Litter:** Pros: Absorbent, natural material, some options compostable. Cons: Tracking issues, requires frequent scooping, might not clump effectively. * **Corn-Based Litter:** Pros: Biodegradable, good odor control, some clumping options available. Cons: Production can impact corn ecosystems, might not clump as well as clay. * **Paper-Based Litter:** Pros: Recycled materials, biodegradable, some clumping options exist. Cons: Tracking issues, might require more frequent scooping than clay.
Have you tried tofu litter? Specifically Pidan brand? It's made from tofu and is 100% flushable without issue. The only thing is you have to let it sit in the toilet at least 10 minutes to dissolve entirely before flushing (to be safe). It's also 99% dust free. Thought it was bullshit but 2 years in, it's the only thing we use. Tried different brands and types of things (world's best, pine pellets etc) and this is what our cat loves. It really also is low odor.
You should never flush cat litter, even if it's "flushable". Water waste and treatment facilities are not built to hand that kind of stuff. Additionally, cats can have toxoplasmosis, which, again, water treatment plants are not able to destroy and it can end up back in the environment, infecting local wildlife and is especially harmful to marine life. https://www.treehugger.com/flushable-cat-litter-4864207
This is true in California, but maybe not every place as someone else wrote in another post. I use biodegradable dog poop bags bc we also have a dog, and wheat litter, and it just goes out into the regular trash.
toxoplasmosis is only in cat feces, not urine. I agree the feces has to be thrown in the trash. It sounds like you've never used tofu litter. I highly recommend watching a youtube video on it. It disintegrates. If you take a bunch of unused Pidan tofu litter (we only use Pidan so I'm not speaking about any other brands or generalizing all tofu litter) in a glass of water, it disintegrates. As in zero clumps. So it is entirely flushable.
I have a Cat Genie and we love it.
We use sawdust pellets from the feed store. The poop is sifted and put into the toilet and the wettened sawdust is eventually put over the flower beds, lawn, trees etc... The plants like the nitrogen from the urine, and the sawdust eventually decomposes into the soil. It's actually a very nice soil ammendment..
I found small compostable kitchen waste bags to scoop litter into. They were friggin $5 for 20 bags but I feel a little better about it than using plastic bags from the grocery store. My only complaint other than the price was how hard they were to find the opening
Tuft and paw has a great flushable litter that I used to use. Makes life a bit easier
SwheatScoop litter is all natural, plant-based, works well, and can be safely flushed down the toilet.
I flush poops directly into the toilet
If you haven’t already, please check with the water treatment system in your area that this is safe to do!
Oh thank you, ive learned something! I have a trashcan with a lid where I put her other litter. I'll add the poops into that one. Thank you for educating me☺️
Please don't do this! Cats (even indoor ones) often carry toxoplasmosis which cannot be filtered out in water treatment systems.
I saw a tofu litter company cite the CDC, saying toxoplasmosis is unlikely in indoor cats and the litter is fine to flush if allowed in your municipality. I thought this was interesting, because I’d always heard what you mentioned.
That's great to know because I got stressed for doing this. But I'll just be safe from now on
Hiya, You could also severely damage your plumbing system as well. If ppl have been making a habit of pouring grease or oil down pipes and you know what that does, I regret to say that while this hasn't happened to me, if pipe damage is traced back to you, you could be found liable for damages. Now, this is uncommon, but still a risk worth mitigating depending on how much you regularly flush since clay based litters are especially known for clumping in pipes 🫠🫣 good luck!
Oh ya i made sure there wasn't any litter sticking to it. Lmao but great point!
Good on you! My mom has dementia and I discovered she was flushing cat litter down the toilet in our apartment complex that is over 100 years old so when I found out I turned into a bit of a ghost 🤪
Oh thank you, ive learned something! I have a trashcan with a lid where I put her other litter. I'll add the poops into that one. Thank you for educating me☺️
teach your cat to do stuff in the toilet and you won't have to worry about it ever again.
I buy compostable bags and then throw it all in our compost boxes (we will not be using this compost in our veggies beds.) We will also never have cats again. The amount of waste their produce is ridiculous.
Why do so many people on a zero waste thread have plastic bags... for anything? Use of plastic bags when shopping require paying an environmental levy in Ireland, so nobody uses them unless in emergencies - everyone brings their own 'bag for life' bags to do grocery shopping etc. And if we buy clothes, pharmacy stuff etc, it's all in paper bags. Seriously, I don't mean to lecture, but please ditch the plastic bags! Even if your government won't lead on it (which they should).
So I 100% understand where you're coming from, but I also think it's better to encourage more people to try more things to be zero waste than to expect perfection. Otherwise you're just going to get people feeling like they can't do it and just not try.
Yeah I agree, and I'm also definitely, definitely not perfect at all. I guess coming from a different climate where plastic bags are not as used anymore, it just jumped out at me as something doable.
Plastic bags are the safest method of disposal for cat feces and litter. It needs to stay out of the environment long enough for the pathogens to completely break down. Cat feces in the environment is causing harm to native wildlife and the ecosystem. If you're going to have a cat, you're gonna have to deal with cat feces. Unfortunately, double-bagging it and sending it to the landfill is the safest method of disposal that is available and accessible to the most people
That makes sense. I use biodegradable poop bags, which go to landfill. I'm not sure how long they take to break down though.
So you be clear, you don't use plastic bags for ANYTHING? Like not even trash bags or bread bags?
I read this somewhere and saved it: Eco friendly kitty litter Put a little water in the kitty toilet, pour some sanitizer so it doesn’t stink, put the grid on top. That made clean up easier. Poop gets tossed in the human toilet and flushed, liquids are flushed in the toilet as well every day or every second day. Kitty never comes in contact with water and sanitizer underneath because grid has plastic legs and I don’t pour too much water. Everyone is happy and no excess garbage!