On the occasion of World Environment Day, Zoomalia encourages adopting green gestures to know where to throw the cat litter and recycle it according to the rules of the art. Do you know the difference between compostable litter and biodegradable litter? Every cat owner should know thatbiodegradable litter is not necessarily compostable. Let’s take a quick look at: biodegradable litter consists in deteriorating on its own in nature in less than a month, benefiting from the best possible oxygenation conditions, heat and humidity, favorable to bacteria which act on its transformation until its complete disappearance.
A compostable litter needs human help to be recycled and transformed. It needs to be aerated regularly, to add soil or a few worms to speed up the decomposition process. It takes several long weeks of degradation before you get real homemade compost, similar to organic potting soil, which depends on weather conditions, temperature and adequate humidity. In other words, a non-compostable biodegradable litter is harmful to the environment if it ends up in nature or at sea. Follow Zoomalia’s guide to learn how to properly recycle your cat litter.
1. Throw your biodegradable vegetable litter in the toilets
This is the most commonly used solution, especially if you live in an apartment. You don’t have a garden space, and therefore, the toilet seems to be the most favorable outcome for your ecological litter box, unless you throw it in the trash with the right gesture.
If you are connected to collective sanitation, there is little risk of your pipes becoming clogged. Pay attention to your individual network, because the drainage of your septic tank must not be obstructed. Only vegetable litter is biodegradable and disposable in the toilet.
2. Sort the litter in a bag in the trash
The good green gesture is to throw your vegetable litter, even biodegradable, in a separate pocket in the trash which does not sort recyclable household waste. A healthy litter without chemical molecules soiled by your cat must not come into contact with the waste in your trash, which will be sorted and recycled in turn, due to sanitary reasons.
Indeed, germs or bacteria carrying diseases are transmissible to humans, in particular toxoplasmosis, dangerous for non-immune pregnant women who can catch it via cat feces.
3. Use compost for flowers
The vegetable litter is best suited for compost: wood, flax, cedar, wheat or newspaper. Silica, clay-based or mineral litter should not be thrown into your composter, as they cannot dissolve in the air or water in your toilet. They end up clogging your pipes and clogging your septic tank.
Compost from your cat’s excrement and litter is strongly discouraged in fruit or vegetable plantations. It is best to disperse it only in your flower beds, at the foot of trees, bushes and shrubs.
4. Equip yourself with a unique composter
The composting of plant litter in your garden is possible, provided you macerate it in a container separate from your other waste or compost. Remember that your cat may have had a specific treatment, taken medication or antibiotics, and is wormed regularly, which is strongly recommended.
Because of certain chemicals ingested by the animal, it is absolutely necessary to separate the compost intended for your vegetable crops from that intended for your flowers, lawns or shrubs. Mowed grass, dead leaves and other biodegradable waste will produce the much-heard fertilizer. You can get an underground composter that collects only your animal’s droppings: check with your household waste union.
5. Do not throw ecological litter in the manure of the vegetable garden
It is advisable not to use its dirty biodegradable litter as fertilizer for the vegetable garden. Indeed, the excrements of our domestic animals are particularly rich in nitrogen, and must be avoided for the culture of your vegetables or fruits. On the other hand, it remains a perfect breeding ground for the growth of your trees, flowers or bushes.
A zero waste litter, you dreamed about it? Zoomalia thinks about protecting the planet, biodiversity and your cat’s sensitivity. While bedding is on the expensive side, here’s one that respects the environment, pets, and bank accounts of all feline owners.
TofuPellets Quality Clean clumping vegetable litter – 7L
€ 6.49
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In summary ! You have understood the importance of biodegradable litter and compostable to recycle and how to dispose of it. If in doubt, check the label on your litter packet to indicate if it is organic and compostable or not.