April is Earth Month, a great yearly reminder to reflect upon how our actions impact the planet. You drive an electric car and bring your own bags to the grocery store. You care about greenhouse gases and your carbon footprint. What about your pet’s carbon pawprint? Is your pet living a green, eco-friendly life? This year in addition to thinking about how you can reduce your carbon footprint, think about what you can do to reduce your pet’s carbon pawprint. Here are a few simple changes you can make to ensure that your pet is living green too.

Waste Management

Anyone who has ever had a pet knows that they create lots of waste. It is estimated that 10 million tons of waste from pets fill landfills yearly. What can be done? Instead of using plastic bags to pick up and dispose of your pet’s waste, try using compostable pet poop bags. 3poo1 bags are made in the USA using biodegradable plant-based materials. And they are the world’s first color-coded poop bags that let you know when you’re running low so you will never forget a bag on your walk again!

If you have a cat, consider switching from a clay-based litter to a biodegradable litter, such as ökocat. ökocat  is a sustainably sourced cat litter made from rescued wood and packaged in a fully recyclable paper bag. In addition, it is has no synthetic chemicals, no toxic dyes, and no added artificial fragrances. By switching to a biodegradable litter, you can cut down on the estimated 2 million tons of clay litter that end up in landfills.

Give a Hoot, Don’t Pollute

Always pick-up after your pet and follow the backpacker’s motto of leaving only footprints. Leaving your pet’s waste behind is not only rude; it can pollute water sources when washed into the storm drains that empty into streams and lakes.

Buy Green

Purchase pet beds, furniture and toys made from recycled or sustainable materials such as wool or hemp. Environmentally friendly hemp can be used to make almost everything, like leashes, collars, beds and toys. Nowadays it is easy to find recycled pet products at large pet retailers all across the country.

Buy in Bulk

Buying pet food and pet supplies in bulk not only saves money, it also conserves fuel and lowers emissions by saving you extra trips to the store. Consider buying a plastic bin to keep your pet’s food fresh.

Pet Overpopulation

Make sure your pet isn’t adding to the pet over-population problem by having your pets spayed or neutered. Shelters spend millions of dollars caring for homeless pets. Be sure you aren’t contributing to this problem. Consider also donating your old towels, blankets to a nearby shelter-this helps you declutter, helps the shelter cut costs, and gives a needy pet a nice blanket to sleep on. If you have the time consider volunteering at a nearby shelter.

If you are thinking about adding to your family think about getting a pet from the shelter. There are lots  of amazing animals in need of a good home. While adopting one of these deserving pets may not lower emissions or save fuel, it can save a life.

Earth Month is a timely reminder that we’re all part of something bigger. Take a small step to make your pet more eco-friendly. Our choices and our actions can be part of the problem, or part of the solution.