Have a pet-friendly Recycling Week

Recycling Week (Monday 22 –  Sunday 28 June), writes Blue Cross Education Officer Gemma Taylor…

Waste is a huge problem across the UK so we have come up with a few top tips to reduce waste, increase recycling and to keep your environment and pets happy and healthy!

• Old toilet rolls can make great toys for small animals such as hamsters and mice.  Keep these rolls and stuff them with hay to create great safe hiding places to make their environment more interesting.
• Have you old balls of wool lying around that you were thinking about throwing away? You may consider getting creative and making pom poms.  These are great for cats to keep them entertained.
• Although collected rain water can’t be used a drinking water for your pets, why not use this water in conjunction with safe, animal-friendly cleaning products to clean kennels and horse shelters.
• Why not have a go at growing your own veg and herbs for your pets.  By growing plants this can help reduce CO2 levels and limit waste as you can pick what you need when you need it.
• Don’t throw your old sheets and blankets away.  Our rehoming centres can make good use of these.  Alternatively you can also make toys for your animals from blankets as well.  What better way to recycle!
• Shred old plain paper to make animal bedding for your small animals.  This will keep them snug during the winter months and save money as well.