How to Recycle Kitty Litter

Kitty litter is a substance that cat owners go through a lot of fast. Because kitty litter is a consumable product that creates a lot of waste, many cat owners look for a way to recycle it. There are several ways to reuse kitty litter around the home and in the yard that take advantage of its absorbent quality and that keep it from going straight to the landfill after its first use in the litter box.

Instructions

1. Reuse your kitty litter by spreading it in your garage, carport or the driveway where you park your car. By placing a few scoops of kitty litter on the spot where an oil spot may form, you can use the absorbent quality of the kitty litter to soak up any oil. If you already have an oil spot where your car is parked, spread the kitty litter over it to soak it up. If you don't have an existing oil stain, spread the kitty litter to avoid one.

2. Use kitty litter outside to even up the uneven areas of your yard. If you have small sink holes or old gopher holes, scoop some kitty litter into them to fill them in and create a more even yard. Small holes can be dangerous, causing twisted ankles when someone steps into the hole. Kitty litter is a non-toxic remedy for this danger.

3. Spread your kitty litter as mulch if you have the type that is made from wood. According to the American Chemical Society, kitty litter made from wheat, such as Swheat Scoop, also makes an effective mulch. Wood pellet kitty liter brands, such as Feline Pine, make litter that can be spread around your garden and used as mulch to help keep ground moisture around your plants. This is a much less expensive alternative to buying bagged mulch, and it helps keep the kitty litter out of the local landfill. Spread 1 to 2 inches of wood-based kitty litter around the plants in the garden to help the soil around the plants retain moisture.

4. Add the kitty litter to your compost pile if the kitty litter is made from natural ingredients. Some brands, such as Nature's Miracle and World's Best Cat Litter, are made from corn. This litter will decompose in a compost pile and provide you with extra composting materials for your lawn and decorative plants. The website Grist suggests taking the fecal material out first and then allowing it to compost for a year before adding it to the soil around your plants. It is also recommended to use compost that contains kitty litter on ornamental plants rather than garden vegetables.

Tips & Warnings

• Never flush your cat litter. Serious environmental problems, such as dead sea otters, have been linked to kitty litter that has been flushed.