Going Green – It is good for the planet and your pets to be eco-friendly

Angela Terry, a green campaigner and consumer expert, explains how you can take simple and practical steps to save the planet. Follow @ouronehomeVisit & Sharehttps://onehome.org.uk/For more information, please visit:

Lockdown witnessed a dramatic rise of pet ownership.

According to the PDSA 2021 survey of animal charities, there are 9.6million dogs and 10.7million cats in the UK.

They emit a lot of carbon.

It’s a great idea to try to reduce the carbon footprint of your pet.

Pet food has the greatest environmental impact.

Most of the meat is made from by-products from intensively-raised animals.

Pets are responsible in large part for the greenhouse gas emissions associated with global meat production.

An area twice the size of the UK is used every year to make dry food for the world’s cats and dogs.

A growing number of eco-friendly pet food products are available.

Yora sells cat and dog food made from specially-reared ingredients, while Lovebug makes insect-based catfood.

These grubs, insects, and other insects are more nutritious than cows, sheep, or chickens. They require far less land, food, and water.

Their meat is also good to pets with allergies. According to research, the most common allergens found in dogs are beef, chicken, and dairy, while cats are more likely to be allergic to fish, chicken, and beef.

Some eco-conscious pet owners opt for super sustainable plant-based foods, especially for their dogs, who are omnivores just like us.

Benevo, Omni, and Hownd are some of the brands.

These foods don’t have to be served every day.

Before making any changes to your pet’s diet, always consult your vet.

More cats and dogs mean more poo, which is not good news for the environment.

It is important to think about how you will dispose of it.

It’s not a great idea to dispose of dog waste in a plastic bag.

It preserves organic matter in ecologically hazardous plastic and then sends it to landfill where it can’t decompose.

You can purchase compostable bags. Make sure to choose bags made from cornstarch as they don’t contain harmful microplastics. Reusing plastic bags from your own kitchen can help you save money.

There are biodegradable cat litters available. Natusan is made from wood by-products of sustainable forestry, rather than clay. This is because it doesn’t biodegrade and can also lead to deforestation and habitat loss for wildlife.

London Fashion Week begins February 18, 2018. British designers are at the forefront in eco-conscious fashion.

Vivienne Westwood, fashion legend, advocates avoiding excessive consumption and purchasing high-quality, sustainable clothes.

Also available are organic cotton, low-impact coloring and sustainable fabrics such coir made from coconut shells and nettle-based products.

Stella McCartney’s brand is all about luxury eco chic. Her fur-free and leather-free designs use recycled fabrics and forest-friendly viscose.

You can swap single-use plastic pods for reusable aluminium ones in your coffee maker

It is a good environmental decision that plastic coffee pods don’t cause any adverse effects on coffee taste.

Because of people’s concern about the environment, plant milks are experiencing a phenomenal growth.

Research from analysts Nielsen shows that their UK sales have soared by 107 per cent in the last two years and are now worth 278m.

However, they don’t all have equal eco credentials.

Almond milk is mildly nutty in taste and has a thick, creamy consistency.

It is a great source of vitamin E and calcium.

However, it is not the best choice for the environment.

Almonds need a lot of water in order to grow. 80 percent of them are intensively grown in California, which has been suffering from severe drought in recent times.

Coconut milk is the lightest and most refreshing plant-based milk. It has a sweet taste.

It is gluten-free and makes a great addition to smoothies and curries.

Coconuts, however, are not easy to grow and come from exotic regions.

Farmers are often underpaid for their efforts and global trade often diverts food resources away from local communities.

Coconut milk can be a bit sweet so use it sparingly.

Soya milk is considered the original plant-based milk and has been used for hundreds of years.

It is a great source of vitamin D2 and B2 and it is light and versatile. Soy production is low-impact on the environment.

It does not produce high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are some countries that are major soya-producing regions, such as Brazil and other countries within the Amazon basin. They are experiencing significant problems with soya deforestation.

Make sure to select milk with Round Table on Responsive Soy (RTRS), certification

Oat milk, one of the most loved dairy alternatives, is creamy and easily drinkable by the glass. It also works well in baking.

Oats are also a great source for vitamin A and vitamin D. They can easily be grown in the UK and do not cause water shortages. To be even more green, go organic.

It is also important to note the eco-friendliness of all plant-based milks over dairy milk. It’s all down to cows.

There are approximately 264,000,000 dairy cows worldwide at any given moment. They require large amounts of land, water, and food. Methane gas, which can be up to 34 times more dangerous than CO2, is also released.

Global methane emissions are 27% due to methane from animals raised for food.

It’s better to stop your car and start it again than to leave it idling. True!

A running engine can damage the climate and human life.

Royal College of Physicians states that 400,000 deaths in the UK are due to air pollution each and every year.