To reduce single-use plastics, I bring a freshly washed and reusable, BPA-free dog water bottle on all walks and outings. It features a built-in drinking bowl and a one-hand operation system, making it safe, easy, and sanitary for pets to hydrate on the go. The leak-proof design prevents waste, and the food-grade materials ensure it's safe for daily use.

Plastic pet food containers and metal cans (like steel and aluminum) are washed and recycled. If your home doesn’t have a recycling service or clearly labeled bins, I’ll take eligible containers home with me to dispose of them properly in my own recycling bin.

Asheville Recycling Guidelines: Asheville’s curbside recycling accepts plastic bottles, jugs, tubs, and jars, generally #1 and #2 plastics, as well as clean steel, tin, and aluminum cans. For full guidelines, visit: What Can I Recycle – City of Asheville

Certified Home Compostable: Doggy Do Good® bags are certified by OK Compost and TÜV AUSTRIA, two internationally recognized certification bodies approved by European Bioplastics. They meet standards ASTM D6400 for municipal composting and EN 13432 for both home and industrial composting. These polyethylene-free bags are designed to break down in a properly managed home compost system within 6–12 months, turning into material that can safely enrich soil for non-edible gardening.

• 38% Vegetable-Based: Made from corn starch and other bio-based components, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic bags.​

Green Monkey™ Biodegradable Disposable Gloves are used for each visit that requires cleaning or food exposure.

♻️ How These Compare to Other Disposable Gloves

• Standard nitrile (most common):
  ~100–200+ years to break down in a landfill

• Vinyl (PVC) gloves:
  ~100+ years and can release harmful chemicals as they degrade

• Latex (natural rubber):
  ~5+ years in ideal conditions, but often much longer in landfills due to low oxygen

• Compostable / plant-based gloves:
  Break down in 3–6 months in composting facilities, but may take years or longer in landfills without proper conditions

• Green Monkey™ biodegradable nitrile (used here):
  Begins breaking down much faster, with up to 78% biodegradation in ~986 days and full breakdown in roughly 8–11 years under landfill conditions (ASTM D5511). Once biodegradation begins, the gloves are converted into biogas. At the Buncombe County landfill, this gas is captured and used to generate electricity for the local community.