It may be one of your long-term goals to live a more sustainable life, lower your environmental footprint, and help in your own way to reduce the effects of climate change. But you may also feel that it’s difficult to do all of those things when you live the life of a pet owner and have to dedicate significant resources to the care any animal would need.

Is pet ownership in conflict with a minimalist and sustainable lifestyle? The good news is that it isn’t necessarily so, and there are several ways that you can stay true to your values as someone who cares for both animals and the environment.

Plus, now that there are so many green brands and products available, it’s more than a little easier for a pet owner to incorporate a more eco-friendly approach into their pet parenting style.

To give you a good head start on making greener choices and becoming an eco-friendly pet parent, here are a few small steps you can take as early as today:

1) Purchase in Bulk

One significant adjustment you can make to your pet care routine is to buy in bulk. On top of helping you get more value for your money on essentials like pet food, you’ll also be minimizing your packaging waste.

Larger quantities often mean less packaging material per unit, reducing the overall environmental footprint of the products you use for your pet. This is a win-win situation because you’ll end up worrying less about running out of pet food while also sticking to more eco-conscious practices.

To make the most out of your purchase, it helps to take stock of your pet’s essentials. Keep track of recurring purchases that you won’t have a hard time storing, such as dry kibble, and plan your orders ahead so that you can buy in larger quantities and shop less frequently.

2) Buy Eco-Friendly Pet Accessories, Toys, and Furniture

The next step you can take is to purchase sustainable pet products that do good for both the wellbeing of your pet and the health of the planet. Eco-friendly dog collars, eco-friendly cat toys, and pet furniture made from materials like bamboo, recycled plastics, and organic cotton entail a smaller carbon footprint during production compared to products made from plastic and synthetic materials.

Many of these products are also crafted to be durable and long-lasting, thus reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing waste due to production. If you want to make sure that the pet products you’re buying are eco-friendly, look for items that explicitly mention being made from sustainable or recycled materials.

Also pay attention to product labels and descriptions so that you know more about the materials used in the manufacturing process. A green pet product brand that’s worth its salt will have no issue being transparent with its most eco-conscious pet parent customers.

3) Invest in Organic and Natural Pet Food and Treats

Organic and natural pet food and treats will likely support the health of your furry companions as well as contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious approach to pet care. These types of products are often made using organic farming practices, which involve fewer synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and thus promote soil health and biodiversity.

In addition, a number of organic and natural pet food and treat products already come in more sustainable packaging materials, given that the advocacies go hand in hand. Don’t hesitate to ask your vet, your pet nutritionist, or fellow pet owners and environmental advocates for their recommendations.

4) Use Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags or Cat Litter

Properly managing pet waste is an inevitable part of responsible pet ownership. Although pet waste management is seen as something that’s inherently demanding on the environment, simply because you need items like poop bags to clean up after your dog at the park, remember that there are still several things you can do to “green up” your pet waste storage and disposal.

For example, if you’re a dog owner, start using biodegradable dog waste bags instead of plastic bags to reduce the plastic waste you generate. Typical plastic bags can take centuries to decompose, which contributes to environmental pollution. Biodegradable dog waste bags made from materials like cornstarch or other plant-based components, on the other hand, are compostable and friendly to the environment.

If you own a cat, look for eco-friendly cat litter made from biodegradable materials such as recycled paper, wood, soy-based products, or corn. These alternatives decompose faster than traditional clay-based litter, thus reducing the ecological footprint associated with cat litter disposal.

5) Compost Dog Waste

It may seem unconventional or even dangerous to compost dog waste, but when done properly, it can be an innovative and environmentally-friendly solution for managing your pet’s waste and enhancing the plant life in your personal backyard or garden. Properly composted dog poop can be a valuable source of nutrients to your soil—just as long as you use it for non-edible plants.

When setting up a dog waste composting system, select an area in your yard that’s away from edible plants and water sources to avoid contamination. Next, bury the waste in a dedicated compost bin and keep an eye on its moisture levels. Dog waste tends to be wet, and for it to decompose properly, you need to layer it with dry, compostable materials like leaves or straw.

Finally, turn the compost regularly to aid in the decomposition process. This ensures that the waste breaks down efficiently and also mitigates unpleasant odors.

6) Support Green Pet Shops and Brands

Lastly, do be sure to purchase products from businesses that prioritize sustainability to leave a positive environmental impact and also encourage the pet industry as a whole to adopt more eco-conscious practices.

Take this approach a step further and give your patronage to local pet stores or co-ops. Supporting these businesses not only boosts the local economy, but also ensures that your orders have a shorter journey to reach you, which will shrink the costs and the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

Today’s pet parent mostly are more empowered than ever to live eco-friendly lifestyles without compromising on the care of their fur babies. With the tips listed above, try living more sustainably as a pet owner—and create a positive impact on the planet that you and your pet call home.