Sustainability is a buzzword commonly used in other industries. Food, furniture, manufacturing – everyone wants to be smart about how and what they consume to do the best we can for the earth. Sustainability in pet products should be no different.

Did you know that Next Gen Pet sources our material for our litter from lumber scraps? During the process of squaring up logs in order to make straight lumber boards and posts, we collect the scraps left over to grind into a wood flour to make our cat litter. We take those scraps that would otherwise be thrown away and re-purpose the material for our cat litter. The scraps are sources from musical instrument and furniture factories and are carefully selected before any paint or finish is applied to ensure the quality of our product.

Similarly, we also ensure that the logs themselves are harvested as part of ongoing initiatives in Japan that promote forestry management to protect the long term viability of their forests. These initiatives are meant to ensure trees are replanted and maintained in forests and that these forests are protect from wildfires. The goal of Japan’s forestry management program is to continue the ongoing practice of balancing commercial needs for lumber with consideration for the longevity of the forest and surrounding habitat and habitants. Many different types of strategies are applied in forestry management including timber extraction, planting and replanting of trees, and clearing pathways through the forests for wildlife or even light.

Our friends at Snack21 are also mindful of the types of fish they use for their pet treats. This is a driving force behind why all of the fish they source is wild caught. Not only is wild fish healthier for the consumer to eat, but in many cases wild caught fish is healthier for the environment. One of the fish they offer that you might not recognize by name is Whiting (or Wild Pacific Hake). Whiting has one of the lowest carbon footprints for protein meat and a mild flavor and delicate texture. It’s a commonly used fish in Asian fish cakes (YUM) and one of my dog’s favorites!

We are proud of our supply chain and the opportunity to bring a responsibly sustainable product to our customer base and we will continue to seek out opportunities to provide environmentally friendly products to your home. You can and should look for opportunities to use and support sustainability in pet products.