How To Shop Green At Your Local Spot

In the Digital Age, we’re more aware than ever that with enough people, even a small amount of change can make a big impact. We’ve seen how small movements can shift a nation, small trends can solidify awareness throughout history (Remember the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge?) and small ideas about inspiring healthy pet lifestyles can turn into 20 Spots (and counting!) across California--thanks to pet families like yours.

In honor of Earth Month, we put together products and brands you can find at your local Spot to help you make a change to help the Earth, your community or a small business next time you shop.

Shop Green: The importance of “going green” has been stressed for many years. Through science, we’re able to recognize how our environmental impact will shape the future world, so it’s time to take the next step in staying green. Whether it’s how you shop or what you buy, there are simple ways to support the environment when you shop for your pet. Here are some of the brands we carry that are taking steps to help the planet with their products: 

• Open Farm: This farm-to-bowl favorite utilizes ethically-sourced ingredients that you can even trace back to their origin online. Plus, Open Farm uses completely sustainable packaging and has a free recycling program with TerraCycle. When you sign up for free, you can request a shipping label from TerraCycle to send empty Open Farm packaging to be remolded into new recycled products.

• Stella & Chewy’s: Stella & Chewy’s is transitioning to having completely recyclable packaging in partnership with How2Recycle and Pet Sustainability Coalition! Read more details about how you can be part of their initiative with your next Stella & Chewy’s purchase.

• Healthy Spot: Pick up our reusable shopping bags next time you’re at your local Spot to limit the use of paper bags (we even have an insulated tote so you don’t have to rush when you shop for refrigerated or frozen goods). Our Healthy Spot Poop Bags are also made with Totally Degradable Plastic Additives (TDPA) and d2W which makes everyday plastic materials biodegradable without toxic residue or harmful plastic fragments. Lastly, here’s the secret to why your pup’s favorite glow ball is so durable: our MIND BODY BOWL glow balls are made with 100% recyclable rubber! They’re built to last and you can recycle them all over again if you’re ever ready to let it go!

• Cycle Dog: Every Cycle Dog toy you’ll find at your local Spot or online is eco-friendly thanks to the company’s commitment to the environment and sustainability. Their Duraplush toys are made with Ecofill recycled filling and a favorite among our Small Dog Daycare pups. Plus, they’re squeaker-free, so you won’t get tired of your dog playing with them! Every Cycle Dog toy you’ll find at your local Spot or online is eco-friendly thanks to the company’s commitment to the environment and sustainability.

• P.L.A.Y. ZoomieRex Collection: These toys are pawfect to pack along for outdoor adventures or hanging in your own neighborhood. Whether your pup prefers the ZoomieRex ball, Super High Flyer disc or extra tough tug toy, this durable set is made of non-toxic materials and AZO-free dyes, and sure to activate your dog's zoomies!

• Spunky Pup: if your dog is a fan of plush or rope toys, check out Spunky Pup! Their toys are made with organic cotton and natural dyes, plus their Clean Earth collection was made to remove plastic waste from oceans and landfills. The Spunky Pup Clean Earth Rope Toy is made of 100% recycled plastic bottles and you can recycle the rope all over again when your pup is done with it!

Shop Local: Supporting local businesses doubles as shopping small and staying green. For food brands like our California friends at smallbatch, local sourcing means supporting smaller farms, making it less likely that this land is lost to development plans, and the food travels a shorter distance for production and packaging, keeping it fresh for your cat or dog. When it comes to brands that make apparel, treats and supplies, buying local limits the amount of transport and production, which greatly helps reduce carbon emissions and eliminates the need for heavy shipping and packaging.

• Here are just a few brands we carry with products made in the USA: Dog Threads, Jax & Bones, ModernBeast,  One Fur All, and Planet Dog.

Paws For The Planet Campaign: Take time to Paws For the Planet when you shop at your local Spot this month! We’re asking that you donate new or gently-used pet supplies at locations listed below or to your own local rescue to give back to rescued pets in need. Donations made at our Southern California stores will go to Operation Blankets of Love and donations made at our Northern California stores will go to PAWS SF. Click here to find your local Spot.

Items needed: Dog/cat food and treats, blankets, metal bowls, toys, pet beds, towels, cat litter, collars, leashes and harnesses.
Locations accepting donations: Beverly Grove, Marina del Rey, Mission Bay, North Berkeley, Santa Monica, Studio City, Topanga, West Hollywood and West LA.

Do you have more ideas on how our community can give back in small steps? Share your thoughts in the comments below!