There are still advantages in the production of the corn based plastics, but the end product, for now, seems to be about the same.

Just to let you guys know.

Information taken from:

http://www.biobagusa.com

and

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/plastic.html?c=y&page=3#ixzz0XE7Y9Rby

I have 2 cats – and this last spring I switched to a recycled newspaper litter. It does not clump, but the “used” litter expands so you can easily scoop it and separate it from the thinner, unused pellets. I found this type a better source for my cats when my eldest got a severe paw infection that was being aggravated by getting clay litter stuck between her toes. I also have to say, the newspaper is very low dust, and because the pellets are larger, they don’t get stuck between kitty toes and tracked all over my apartment. I am also happy that the litter is made from recycled newspaper.

I too tend to rely on the plastic grocery bags for disposal – but I am hoping to switch to a better system.

1. I obviously don’t want to flush the poo for the sake of the sea otters.
2. I’m not particularly fond of the smell of cat poo emanating from my garbage. Then there is the whole issue of buying biobags instead of reusing ones that you already have. The saying is, after all, Reduce, Reuse, Recylce, in that order.
3. Wheat and corn are extremely hyper-allergenic to cats, and using litters made from these materials can and will lead to asthma and other respiratory problems. (Cats are, after all, very strict obligate carnivores and have absolutely no need/use for corn or wheat in their digestive system, let alone in their lungs from inhaling the dust of these litters, which tend to be very dusty, by the way.)
4. Cats are extremely clean and fastidious animals and should not, ideally, have ANY waste in their litter box at any time. So, Feline Pine is not a good solution because it is not clumping and you can not remove the urine waste on a daily basis. Let alone the fact that cats HATE having strong odors in their litter box and Feline Pine smells very strong. Smells good to us, not so good to cats, which then can lead to an inappropriate elimination scenario where the cat must find alternatives to its litter box (yuck).

So, essentially for the health/sanity of the cat we are left with the choice of an UNscented clumping clay litter. NOT the best environmental choice, or for that matter for the health of us humans (breathing in the dust from this type of litter = no good). So, what trumps all? Is there a solution I’m missing? How can I make the elimination of the clay litter and waste more eco-friendly?