Greening the Stylish Fido Salon 

Climate change and environmental impact is something that is very close to my heart, and so I have been investing some time to be as green as possible in both my house and salon. I thought I would share some of the changes I have been making:

Energy

The biggest change I have made to the salon has been to install a solar PV system on my roof, generating electricity for as much use in the salon during the day as possible. I am now a mini-grid!

Lighting 

LEDs are the most energy-efficient bulbs. They use 90% less energy than traditional incandescents. So much so, my entire house is now LED. 

Shampoo 

I am running down my existing supplies to move entirely to Wildwash shampoos which are amazing. With no parabens, phosphates, petrochemicals, sulphates or PEGs and with 100% essential oils, they are suitable for all dogs and better for the environment.   And as Wildwash are a UK based company, they make their products in England which means a smaller carbon footprint.

Recycling pet food pouches

I already recycle as much as is possible.  There are more facilities now in Steyning thanks to Greening Steyning.  In case you didn’t know, our blue bins cannot take pet food pouches or other pet food bags.  To close this loop, I have started a recycling collection for these items and invite you to join in. If you could wash and dry your food pouches, and bring them to me when you have a full bag, I will send them to be made into something else.  Let’s see how much we can recycle.!

Organics

I have moved to organic cotton wall balls, with no pesticides used in the manufacturing process. The company is called “simply gentle”, with excellent eco credentials.

This year I changed my disposal face masks to washable masks.

Cleaning

• Washing liquid – I currently use Ecover, or Method, and continue to monitor and find the best products.

• Safe4 disinfectant on surfaces and floors – I have been using this company for a few years now, Uk manufactured, kills Covid, and is fully compliant for all animal uses, but with the addition of being animal cruelty free and vegan friendly.

• less plastic bags for the salon bin – I am still trying to find larger bio-degradable and/or compostable bin sacks

Towels – what do you think?

I am debating a swap to Eco bamboo disposal towels. I would welcome any opinions on these.  They are clear winner when it comes to washing towels and therefore energy saving, microfibres entering the water system from towels and use of detergents, however the jury is out on the waste. They are fully biodegradable, can be composted, and can be reused after drying your dog.  They use no bleach or pesticides.

What happens to the poop?

I am on a personal mission to find out exactly what happens to all the poop from the dog poo bins. is it better to use bio-degradable poop bags or not?

More on this as I find the answers.