Monday

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

• Being a more sustainable pet parent

• How is cat litter made?

• Sunset of the day

• Give old costumes new life this Halloween

True or False?

Buying fewer clothes is more sustainable than buying only organic ones.

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

How is Cat Litter Made?

Most cat litter on the market is made from either clay or silica, both of which require environmentally damaging mining processes.

Strip mining, the primary method for extracting sodium bentonite clay, harms ecosystems by removing topsoil, destroying habitats, and polluting waterways. Silica-based litters also require intensive energy to produce, contributing to carbon emissions.

Once used, cat litter ends up in landfills, where clay-based litter does not decompose. Traditional litter is not biodegradable and can take decades to break down, adding to the growing waste crisis. Silica-based litters also remains in landfills indefinitely.

Fortunately, there are eco-friendly alternatives to traditional litter. Plant-based options offer biodegradable solutions that reduce landfill waste and mining impact.

5 Billion Pounds of Cat Litter Ends Up in Landfills Each Year

Most traditional cat litters are made from strip-mined clay or silica. Both end up in landfills when thrown away and are not biodegradable.

A new natural cat litter called Tailfeather is changing this with their eco-friendly, plant-based, clumping cat litter made from coconut and cassava.

Why coconut? The husk of the coconut absorbs liquid up to 9 times its weight! This makes for a soft, luxurious litter that cats love and is 70% lighter than traditional litter, but also doesn't track and bounce out of the box.

It's fully biodegradable and 100% plastic-free, including the packaging. Tailfeather is delivered conveniently to your door, and each package lasts for 8 weeks, double the amount of other litters.

For the next 24 hours, Canopy readers get a $15 credit on your first order with code Canopy15.

Try Tailfeather for your cat and the environment today.

Thank you to Tailfeather for sponsoring The Canopy.

Sunset of the Day

The Canopy reader Jackie shared this golden-hour scene where the sky looks like it’s been brushed with fire. The colors reflect through the reeds and across the lake, with a quiet dock waiting at the edge. It’s one of those sunsets that invites you to sit still and soak it in.

Thanks to Jackie for sending this in. If you’ve captured a sunset that made you stop and breathe a little deeper, send it in for your chance to be featured!

Give Old Costumes New Life This Halloween

Whether you love crafting new costumes or prefer a last-minute store run, there are easy ways to make Halloween a little more sustainable. Hosting a costume swap with friends or your community can keep the fun alive while giving gently used outfits another chance to shine. It’s a creative, budget-friendly alternative, not a replacement for how you already celebrate.

Start small by trading within your circle, or expand by hosting at a community space. Setting a few ground rules, like “take what you need, leave what you can”, helps keep things simple. Add racks or tables for easy browsing, and maybe some snacks or a face-painting corner to make it feel festive.

If swapping isn’t your thing, try donating past costumes, checking thrift stores, or reworking old pieces into something new. Every little effort helps make Halloween more enjoyable, and a touch kinder to the planet.

Quick Picks:

From spooky fun to serious reads, check out this week’s top eco-friendly finds:

• 🎃 Carve pumpkins the low-waste way

• 📚 Add these 10 must-read environmental books to your fall reading list

Reflections:

🌎 True or False: True. Reducing overall consumption has a bigger impact than material choice alone.

🌅 Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. That's why we're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured!