The Carbon Footprint of Cat Litter and How to Reduce It
We love our cats deeply, and many of us go to great lengths to give them a comfortable, healthy life at home. But just like our own daily choices, the products we use for our pets also carry an environmental footprint.
As awareness grows around the environmental impact of pet ownership, one everyday essential is usually overlooked: cat litter.
Cat litter is used every day. Over a cat’s lifetime, that can amount to hundreds of kilos of material. With an estimated 5.3 million pet cats in Australia, the type of litter we choose can influence how much waste enters the system over time.
While no product is impact-free, making more considered choices can help reduce long-term waste and resource use.
The Hidden Environmental Cost of Traditional Cat Litter
Most conventional cat litter falls into two main categories: clumping clay litter made from bentonite and silica or crystal litter.
Both materials absorb moisture effectively, but they come with environmental trade-offs that aren’t always obvious.
Clay cat litter is produced through mining processes that involve removing vegetation and topsoil. Once extracted, the clay is processed, dried at high temperatures, packaged, and transported. Each step requires energy, which contributes to emissions associated with production and freight.
Silica or crystal litter also relies on high-temperature manufacturing processes, which can be energy-intensive. Like clay, it does not break down naturally once discarded.
After use, both clay and silica litter typically end up in a landfill. Because these materials are not biodegradable, they persist long-term and contribute to the growing volume of non-degradable waste entering the system each year.
What Makes Cat Litter “Eco-Friendly”?
The term "eco-friendly cat litter" generally refers to litter made from plant-based, renewable, or recycled materials rather than mined minerals.
Common examples include litter made from wood fibres, recycled paper, agricultural by-products, or tofu. Because these materials are derived from existing plant sources, their production can be less resource-intensive than mineral extraction.
Another factor is weight. Plant-based cat litter is often lighter by volume, which can help reduce transport-related emissions as products move from manufacturing facilities to warehouses and into homes.
Many natural cat litters are also biodegradable, meaning they break down more readily than clay or crystal varieties. While disposal methods vary, biodegradable materials reduce long-term persistence in landfills compared to conventional litter.
How Natural Cat Litter Can Help Reduce Overall Impact
The environmental footprint of cat litter is influenced by three key factors: how it is made, how far it travels, and what happens after it is used.
Natural cat litter often performs more favourably across these areas compared to traditional clay or silica options. Over time, switching to a plant-based or natural cat litter can help reduce cumulative waste, particularly in multi-cat households where litter use is higher.
Small changes, repeated daily, can add up.
Where MATCHA Fits Into the Picture
MATCHA tofu cat litter was designed with these environmental considerations in mind.
Rather than using mined minerals, MATCHA is made from plant-derived ingredients, including upcycled tofu and green tea by-products. These materials are repurposed from existing food production streams, reducing reliance on newly extracted or resource-intensive inputs.
Sustainability was considered beyond the litter itself. MATCHA is packaged in ABA-certified home compostable bags, a first for cat litter in Australia. The packaging is made from polylactic acid (PLA), a plant-derived bioplastic, combined with plant-based adhesives, allowing the entire bag to break down under appropriate home composting conditions.
Not all bioplastics are created equally. Some require higher energy inputs during manufacturing or deliver inconsistent end-of-life outcomes. PLA was selected because it is a well-established material with more predictable composting standards and comparatively lower energy requirements than some alternative bioplastics.
This packaging choice was made to reduce reliance on the thick plastic bags commonly used for traditional cat litter, as well as some plant-based litters currently on the market. Packaging waste is a significant but often overlooked contributor to landfills, particularly for products that are purchased and replaced frequently.
Just as importantly, these sustainability considerations were balanced with performance. A litter needs to clump reliably, stay consistent in the tray, and last longer between changes. Products that don’t perform well often lead to more frequent replacement and unnecessary waste.
Reducing Waste Beyond the Litter Tray
Cat litter isn’t the only contributor to landfills. The bags used to scoop and dispose of waste also add up over time.
While pet waste should not be added to household compost systems, choosing certified compostable cat poop bags can help reduce reliance on single-use plastics.
Unlike conventional plastic bags, compostable alternatives are designed to break down under specific conditions and have lower long-term persistence in the environment, even when disposed of with general waste.
Small Changes, Big Impact
Reducing your cat’s environmental footprint doesn’t require a dramatic lifestyle shift. Simple, practical choices, like switching to a natural, conscious MATCHA tofu cat litter, using compostable waste bags, and being mindful of how much product you use, can make a difference over time.
Choosing a more eco-friendly cat litter is one of the easiest places to start. MATCHA tofu cat litter offers a plant-based, low-waste alternative designed for everyday use, without compromising on cleanliness or ease of care.
If you’d like to learn more, explore our range, or get in touch to see how small changes can support cleaner homes and more thoughtful litter routines.
