There is a possibility that recycling crystal kitty litter will prove to be rather difficult due to the presence of silica gel in the product. This is because silica does not biodegrade, which means that it cannot be considered an environmentally friendly solution.
Even yet, there are specific ways in which crystal cat litter may be reused without negatively impacting the surrounding environment.
How to Reuse Crystal Cat Litter?
- Killing Poison Ivy
If you have any poison ivy growing outside your house, you may use crystal cat litter to kill it, which is another fantastic method to recycle this product. By scattering old kitty litter over this problematic plant, you may quickly get a higher level of control over its growth.
In a short amount of time, the weed should be gone, leaving you with yards that are in better condition.
- Driveway Oil Cleaner
You are aware that crystal cat litter has silica as the main ingredient, and given that it is capable of absorbing liquids, this property can work to your benefit. On your driveway, you may use crystal cat litter to clean up any oil stains or spills that may have occurred.
Applying a couple of scoops of used cat litter on the area where your parked automobile could ordinarily create oil stains is a simple and effective solution. In this way, the crystal kitty litter can absorb any oil that may leak from your vehicle before reaching the pavement underneath.
Naturally, it can be rather challenging to soak up any oil that has already been collected on your driveway if you don’t act quickly. Consequently, avoiding this from occurring in the first place is always an excellent idea.
- Even the Uneven Surface
You may also use crystal cat litter to fill holes in your garden caused by critters. If you want to prevent rodents like moles and mice from making your grass their permanent home, you could sprinkle a significant amount of kitty litter into their tunnels and holes.
However, you should never use unused cat litter in your vegetable or fruit garden since cat litter may carry parasites like Toxoplasma gondii. Cats are notorious for spreading this disease. Cat feces are a vector for the transmission of a wide range of parasites that are known to be responsible for several adverse health effects, including congenital malformations, in humans and other animals.
- Make Use of Cat Litter as a Tree Anchor.
Do you have artificial plants, such as silk trees or flowers, that require you to secure them? If this is the case, crystal kitty litter is an option that will not cost a fortune. Crystal cat litter may be reused to reinforce the stems of artificial plants and trees to prevent them from bending and to restore the plants to their natural form.
Benefits of Using Crystal Litter
- A hygienic choice
Crystal cat litters are excellent at retaining moisture and capturing fecal matter, reducing the likelihood that mold and bacteria will form in the litter box. This also makes this litter a hygienic choice.
- Safe to use
Crystal litter has the additional benefit of creating less silica dust, making it more friendly to people suffering from allergic reactions. It is definitely gentler on the lungs of cats that already have asthma and can even stop asthma from forming in cats.
- Ease of use
Crystal cat litter is very easy to use compared to other cat litter. It is dust free and in excellent shape with perfect consistency.
- Odor control
Since crystals have a high absorption rate, they are an excellent choice for controlling odors. In addition to controlling odor, crystal cat litter also emits a pleasant and appealing scent.
- Sustainable
Crystal cat litter is composed of solid silicate-based granules at room temperature. Because of their high porosity, these granules can take in a significant amount of moisture, making them very sustainable.
- Less waste
Silica cat litter often creates less overall waste than regular clumping or clay cat litter. This is due to the material’s inert nature. It is estimated that one bag will last one cat for approximately one month. Simply scoop out any solid waste and mix the crystals with the scoop. This is especially vital if your purring companion has a tendency to utilize the same corner every time.
- Reusable
Crystal cat litter can be reusable easily (as mentioned above)
Is it safe to reuse crystal cat litter? Or Can cat litter be cleaned and reused?
Used crystal in a litter is harmless if it is not dumped near or on food plants. Crystal cat litter is not biodegradable, as we have established in a previous conversation; as a result, it may be detrimental to the health of your plants.
Additionally, due to the possibility that it can harbor parasites, it is not a good idea to place animal feces in your garden. Therefore, if you want to reuse crystal cat litter, you want to adhere to the safest choices, which we discussed in the previous section.
- How to Keep Cats From Going Upstairs? [Guide]
- What Happens if Cats Are Left in a Dark House?
- Moss Water for Cats [Ultimate Guide]
- Can Cats Eat Syrup? – Tips and Advice
FAQs
- Question: Is crystal litter safe for the environment?
Answer: Environmentally, silica litters will not degrade, so they are not good for the environment.
- Question: How do you clean crystal cat litter?
Answer: You can keep crystal cat litter clean by stirring it daily, which will help moisture escape from the crystals and leave the litter clean.
- Question: Can cat litter be mixed with soil?
Answer: Yes, soil can be mixed with crystal cat litter; however, there are several significant drawbacks to employing this strategy, and it is typically not the greatest option in the long run.
Verdict
Not only can you save money by reusing crystal cat litter, but you’ll also cut down on the quantity of waste produced in your own house. However, there are both pros and cons of crystal cat litter, so before determining which path to pursue, consider the aspects discussed in this article carefully.
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) at Nation Taiwan University,Master of Science (M.S.) in Biomedical Engineering at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology