Weekly Tip – Walk Your Dog Sustainably
Do you own a dog? If so, have you ever thought about how to walk your dog sustainably?
From leads to harnesses, there are lots of ways to walk your dog, but not all ways are sustainable!
This week we look at dog leads and showcase some fantastic sustainable brands to make your dog walk greener.
As ever there is a fantastic discount to make your journey of sustainability more affordable.
So, if you own a dog and want to know more, or you simply want to learn some new sustainability facts, then please read on.
The History of Dogs and People
For thousands of years, dogs have been a part of human life.
Dogs were domesticated at least 15,000 years ago, according to archaeological evidence.
Although some estimates place the origins of the domestic dog to 30,000 years ago.
Dogs were originally used for hunting and protection, but they have since evolved into valued companions and working animals.
In ancient Egypt, dogs were considered sacred and often mummified and buried with their owners.
They were used as guards, herders, and even in battle in ancient Rome.
As humans began to settle into agricultural societies, dogs were trained to help with tasks such as herding and guarding livestock.
In modern times, dogs are used in all sorts of roles, such as police, guide dogs and therapy dogs.
Dogs are still an important part of human life today.
They are adored pets and important members of many families.
The human-dog bond is unique, and dogs will continue to play an important role in our lives for many years to come.
The Environmental Impact of Walking Your Dog
Dog leads or leashes are an important tool for dog owners to use in public places to keep their pets under control and safe.
However, the use of these leads may have an environmental impact.
Many dog leads are made of synthetic materials, such as nylon, which are derived from petroleum.
This means that the manufacture of dog leads contributes to the use of fossil fuels and the emission of greenhouse gases.
When dog leads are discarded, they can contribute to environmental pollution.
Broken or worn-out leads may end up in landfills, where they can decompose over hundreds of years.
If made from plastics, these will break down into microplastics and end up in waterways and be consumed by wildlife.
Cheaply made leads purchased online are often made abroad and must be shipped over, creating another environmental impact.
As well as the shipping impact, you cannot always be certain of the employment practices of such products.
With all that being said, you can walk your dog sustainably – read on to find out how!
5 Ways to Walk Your Dog Sustainably
Here are 5 tips on how to walk your dog sustainably to help you reduce your footprint.
Look for eco-friendly materials, such as hemp, organic cotton, or bamboo leads. These materials are biodegradable and long-lasting.
Avoid using virgin nonrecyclable plastic leads and instead, use leads made of metal or recycled plastic.
Buy from companies that prioritise sustainability and use eco-friendly materials in their products.
Use the lead for as long as possible – don’t replace your dog’s lead too frequently. A high-quality lead can last for years if properly cared for.
Recycle or upcycle old leads – If your dog’s lead has seen better days, consider recycling it or repurposing it into something new.
If you follow these simple tips. you can walk your dog sustainably and if you need a new lead, we have done some research.
Read on to find out about some of our favourite sustainable brands.
Sustainable Brands to Help You Walk Your Dog Sustainably
Project Blu - Sustainable Dog Walking
Project Blu makes sustainable, beautiful and long-lasting dog products.
They find sustainable solutions and produce and sell high-quality, earth-friendly products to help you walk your dog more sustainably.
We love their Hamilton ELeather dog lead made from recycled leather.
It’s high quality, strong and suitable for larger breeds and will last for a very long time.
Wigglywoos - Sustainable Dog Walking
Wigglywoos are an earth-friendly pet company striving to provide you and your pet with the best eco-friendly gear.
We love their Flat Hemp Dog Lead with a red strip. The strip adds a touch of sophistication to your pooch!
Hemp is soft, durable, eco-friendly, and naturally resistant to ultraviolet light, mould and mildew and will help you walk your dog more sustainably.
You can’t go wrong with a lead from Wigglywoos.
Tangle - Sustainable Dog Walking
Our final brand of the week is Tangle – Tangle does something amazing!
At Tangle, they stop fishing nets from getting into the ocean by collecting end-of-life nets and recycling them into dog leads.
These nets called ghost nets make up nearly half the plastic found in the oceans – not many people know that.
Nets are often dumped overboard and can be 6 miles long and can carry on killing ocean life for up to 600 years!
Tangle takes these nets and recycles them into practically indestructible, waterproof and sustainable dog leads!
When you buy a Tangle dog lead, you aren’t just buying a sustainable product, you are helping solve the issue of ocean plastic too!
To help you take another step on your sustainable journey, Tangle has kindly given Play It Green members a fantastic discount.
Simply head over to their website and use code PLAYITGREEN15 at checkout for a 15% discount on any purchases.
That's a Wrap
That’s it for this week.
Our take on how to walk your dog sustainably.
Hopefully, you learned something new – even if it’s just that ‘ghost nets’ are a thing or that you can actually buy a sustainable lead!
If you haven’t already and want to go on a journey of sustainability, please use the link below to join Play It Green.
Play It Green
Play It Green is a subscription service that helps people and businesses to take a journey of sustainability.
Through our 3-step solution, we support footprint reduction, repairing the planet (through reforestation) and increasing social impact by regiving 10% of turnover to charity.
That’s a lot of positive impact for £5 per person per month and more value than a coffee and a piece of cake!
You can use the button below to join the community!
