A small change can make a big difference.
We believe that a small change can make a big difference, so how can you reduce your dog’s carbon Paw-Print?
Humans produce ‘over 300 million tons of plastic every year, 50% of which is for single-use purposes‘. With an estimated 9 million dogs in the UK, there are a lot of bowls to fill and a lot of packaging to be binned. Feeding a product that’s packaged in a single-use material, or contributes to the excess of plastic waste which the UK struggles to recycle, inevitably means an increase of packaging in landfill or in our precious oceans. Add to that poo bags, dogs toys and treats packaging, and that’s even more plastic waste for our planet to absorb!
Leading the way with eco-packaging.
Carton packaging is more commonly associated with dairy products and chopped tomatoes than it is with wet dog food and treats, but here at Naturediet we’re not afraid to be bold and do things differently – even if it has taken a bit of getting used to!
Our cartons are truly innovative; they’re fully recyclable and keep the food fresh and protected without the need for nasty preservatives. We believe that cartons offer a far more sustainable packaging alternative to plastic, single use pouches, cans and trays. Did you know… ‘Fewer than 1 in 20,000 food pouches are recycled… making them more of a burden than single-use coffee cups’?
The Naturediet innovative cartons have many more benefits than just being fully recyclable. Have you ever wondered why dog food in trays and cans sometimes looks really cooked on the outside, and then pink on the inside – yet the brands will confirm they are fully cooked? It’s because the meat has oxidised. That means that there is a presence of oxygen which gradually deteriorates the quality of the food. The Naturediet cartons are completely sealed, which means that oxidisation is minimal, if not negligible, meaning the food retains all its goodness right from the day that it is produced.
The packaging that Naturediet uses in its manufacturing process is also BPA (bisphenol A) free. BPA is a chemical that is found in some plastics which are often used for food packaging. And why is it bad? Well, some research suggests that the chemical can seep into food causing health issues – so absolutely best avoided.
Fewer miles from field to factory
Naturediet is proud to be British and proud to source produce that is procured as locally as possible to our Norfolk factory, resulting in less fuel miles from the fields to the factory. In addition, Naturediet pride ourselves on simple ingredient recipes. Our no-nonsense approach to dog food means that your canine companion gets a hearty balanced and complete meal from essential ingredients – and fewer ingredients equates to fewer deliveries, and fewer lorries.
It’s not just about the food!
Being an eco-conscious company is more than just considering the food packaging. As a business, we have many more initiatives that contribute in reducing our carbon footprint in and around our Norfolk Factory.
Within our manufacturing facility, we use Calor LPG to fuel our off-mains gas grid manufacturing operations cutting energy costs and the factory’s environmental impact. This in turn, reduces our CO2 emissions. Naturediet also have a flue gas economiser on the factory’s steam boiler which improves thermal efficiency.
You can read more about our eco-ness here.
What else can you do to help the environment?
Toys
Something to keep you entertained whilst in lockdown, as well as your dog… Have you ever thought about making your own dog toys? You can be imaginative with the things you have around the house – an old tea towel, t-shirt or blanket makes a sturdy plaything and you can knot it for more interest. Alternatively you can plait or weave some fabric and hide our tasty Feel Good treats inside for hours of fun!
If you don’t want to make your own, consider choosing toys that are biodegradable or from environmentally conscious companies.
Walkies!
If this time in lockdown has given us any advantages, one will surely be that we have had the chance to discover more local walks. Whilst it is lovely to get in the car and drive to a beautiful countryside location or beach, it is more environmentally friendly to walk straight from the front door. Make use of your surroundings, go on an adventure and see what you can find locally to your home. There may be many undiscovered places that you and your dog can enjoy together.
Poop…!
We all know as dog owners that dog mess in a problem for many. It is not a pleasant task to have to pick up, yet as a responsible dog owner, it is one that we all must do – whether in the middle of the countryside, or in our own back garden. In an ideal world, it is best to not use plastic bags at all – and we are lucky enough to have a number of options open to us for those who want to be a bit more environmentally conscious. First, which is probably the easiest – research and consider bio-degradable bags. Readily available and easy to purchase as an alternative to plastic, this is a relatively simple switch. If at home, you could consider compost – not ideal if you have a small bin or large dog, plus you would need to be considerate of hygiene if you go down this route. If you are a super keen gardener, however, you could consider a pet poop wormery or dog loo. This blog post by Turning To Green explores many eco-friendly options for you and your dog
