Earth Day 2025: Sustainable Pet Care in St. Louis

Every year on April 22nd, people around the world come together to celebrate Earth Day—a time to reflect on the beauty of our planet and consider how each of us can help protect it. When it comes to sustainability, we often think about recycling, shutting off the water while brushing our teeth, or reducing our use of plastics. But, did you know that pet ownership is also an important part of the environmental equation? Our 4-legged kids leave a significant “carbon pawprint,” but with a few mindful choices, we can make our pet care routines more earth-friendly. Let’s celebrate Earth Day 2025: Sustainable Pet Care in St. Louis!

The Environmental Impact of Pets

Estimates suggest that America’s pets consume billions of pounds of food each year and generate millions of tons of waste. The production, packaging, and transport of pet supplies alone can add significant environmental stress. But, don’t worry—being a responsible pet parent and an environmental steward can go hand in hand, as long as you’re intentional about your purchases and pet-specific lifestyle.

Let’s explore some simple but impactful ways you can reduce your pet’s impact, starting as soon as Earth Day next week.

1. Support Local Shelters and Rescues

One of the best things you can do for the planet and your community is to adopt your next pet. By choosing to support local shelters and rescues, you help reduce pet overpopulation and the resources needed for breeding, transporting, and housing animals in pet stores. Plus, adopting a shelter pet gives a homeless animal a loving home and opens up space and resources for others in need.

Supporting local rescues also means less travel and lower transport emissions when bringing your new companion home. As a bonus, many shelters now educate adopters on sustainable pet care practices, multiplying the positive environmental effect.

In this blog, I share some of my favorite St. Louis-based rescues. I hope you’ll consider supporting them! 

2. Use Landfill Biodegradable Poop Bags

Did you know that millions of plastic dog waste bags end up in landfills each year, often taking centuries to decompose? Choosing landfill biodegradable poop bags is a simple switch that makes a big difference. These bags are designed to break down much faster than conventional plastics, minimizing their impact on the environment. But, be aware that “biodegradable” is different from “landfill biodegradable.” Unfortunately, many biodegradable bags require sunlight to break down but, if they end up in a landfill like most poop bags, they won’t find any sunlight in there, making them akin to just any old plastic bag.

No matter what poop bag you use, always pick up after your dogs (litter boxes and outdoor cats, if possible) indoors, on walks, hikes (yes hikes!,) and in public spaces. Proper disposal not only keeps our parks and waterways clean but also protects wildlife from harmful waste-borne bacteria and parasites. 

3. Make Sustainable Choices in Pet Foods

The pet food industry’s environmental footprint is significant due to the resources required for meat production and packaging waste. Luckily, many brands are now offering eco-friendly alternatives—think sustainably sourced proteins, regenerative agriculture, organic ingredients that don’t use harmful pesticides and herbicides, and packaging made from recycled or compostable materials.

When shopping for your pet’s next meal, look for products that prioritize local sourcing, humanely raised meats, and avoid excess use of plastic. In addition to reducing packaging waste, purchasing from local vendors supports the regional economy and cuts down on transportation emissions.

4. Practice a Greener Pet Lifestyle

Consider some of these tips to live a more eco-friendly pet parenting lifestyle:

• Choose durable, recyclable, or upcycled toys and bedding
• If possible, walk when visiting the park and/or vet to minimize your carbon output
• Spay and neuter pets to help reduce overall animal overpopulation
• Join a Buy Nothing Group near you to take items off your neighbor’s hands before purchasing new
• Donate gently used pet supplies to shelters instead of tossing them
• Participate in park clean-ups in St. Louis City and other parts of the community

Earth Day 2025: Sustainable Pet Care in St. Louis

Earth Day is a wonderful reminder that everyone—two-legged and four-legged alike—can make a positive impact on our planet. By supporting local shelters, using biodegradable poop bags, and making sustainable choices in pet foods and supplies, you’re helping protect the environment while keeping your pet happy and healthy.

Let’s celebrate Earth Day 2025 by committing to eco-friendly pet care—making the world a cleaner, kinder, and greener place for all. And, check out the St. Louis Earth Day Festival on Muny Grounds in Forest Park to learn more ways to live a greener life at home and around our community. The event takes place on the weekend of April 26th, 2025.