NJ Cat owners

Submitted by biiillyyyyyy t3_10nha68 in newjersey

What are you using for cleaning the litter box instead of ShopRite bags?

Our supply finally dwindled out and I feel wasteful using a big empty garbage bag/ worry about the mess of accidentally spilling if it was a full garbage bag

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neversayduh t1_j68u4wf wrote

I was gifted a litter genie and I wish I'd had one all along. They make bags for them but a standard kitchen bag works fine and the design contains the smell. I have one cat, scoop every day, and take out the bag once a week. They run about $20.

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Bodidiva t1_j6902on wrote

This is what we do. We can use 4 or 8 gallon bags instead of the expensive tube bag.

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Impossible_Base6688 t1_j6aev5h wrote

yup wegmans 4 gallon bags or the cheap 4 gal rolls at any store. fit in tiny trash cans too, so it all works

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HowaManFlies t1_j69tpoj wrote

that works and doesn't fall through?

miss my litterlocker, have one and can't find a replacement

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TokenMenses t1_j69ttbv wrote

Litter genie easy roll is really great. I scoop more often and waste a lot less plastic. I was skeptical of getting locked in to a blades/razor situation, but I will continue to buy the bags from litter genie b/c they fit just right. We got ours like 5 months ago and still haven’t run out of the first set of bags.

[edit: I misspoke and I have easy roll, not xl]

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oldnjgal t1_j6asz4z wrote

Target has generic Litter Genie bag refills. Cheaper and work great.

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TokenMenses t1_j6aua2r wrote

I misspoke. I actually have the easy roll and they don’t appear to be any generic bag refills yet, but I’m pretty sure I can find a bag roll that would work.

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Miserablecollegekid t1_j6aoi4n wrote

When I moved into my own apartment with my cat I was gifted a litter genie and it changed my life! I put it onto all of my cat-owning friends and everybody loves it!!

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whatsasimba t1_j6bjs4t wrote

I have one, but it's cheaper and easier to scoop into a dog poop bag. Plus I get ones that will break down in the landfill relatively quickly.

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biiillyyyyyy OP t1_j6db9pw wrote

So many comments chirping up the litter genie I’m def gonna go get one now, thank you!!

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squeaky-to-b t1_j6ao0vh wrote

I second the litter genie. I bought a few extra boxes of bags but I might try the kitchen bag trick...

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grand_speckle t1_j68nwzc wrote

I use the plastic bags that are for fruits and vegetables now. Our store has slightly larger/stronger ones for leafy veggies specifically and I like to take a handful of those while I’m shopping to use

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TenCentCherryCoke t1_j69o3v9 wrote

Me as well. I took a couple extra, and another customer giggled and said, “You must have cats too!”

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Marlshine t1_j6bxcks wrote

I use them in the bathroom trashcan. For some reason they're unlimited and not biodegradable.

I'm all for the plastic bag ban, but it's odd as these still exist.

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Kixnaa t1_j69p7wq wrote

Hahahaha I was about to comment this, OP should definitely do this as well.

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MoveWorldly t1_j6ba470 wrote

Keeping anything that had food in it worries me - won't bugs smell it? Do you ever have that problem keeping the food bags?

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grand_speckle t1_j6bpdlz wrote

Oh I just take a bunch of unused ones right from the store and keep them. Then I use the ones my fruit/veggies were in as I empty them out over time. Had no problems at all like that

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soyvotive t1_j6cqycl wrote

I only reuse the bags that are clean (no water or food residue).

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jcord821 t1_j692tqi wrote

old school brown paper lunch bags.

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newmindsets t1_j6ai0j9 wrote

This. Paper bags work fine, if you have to use two, that's still better than any plastic at all. The argument that plastic bags were useful because they could be used for such things and are therefore "multipurpose" is ridiculous, its plastic dedicated for a landfill.

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Chelseafc5505 t1_j6eqybq wrote

I wouldn't mind the bag ban if I didn't then have to fill my reusable bags with single use plastic containers and packaging that 99% of all manufacturers still use.

Just seems like a big PR show - why inconvenience the consumer and then do fuck all about how food is packaged. You'd make a bigger dent in plastic waste by mandating more environmentally friendly food packaging

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stanton98 t1_j6ew51e wrote

They should’ve left paper bags alone…you can harvest paper from responsible sources. Those damn tote bags are going to end up in the landfills too!

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Chelseafc5505 t1_j6ewtft wrote

Yeah I'd be fine with brown paper bags. Don't get why those were banned too.

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MainStreetinMay t1_j691t2y wrote

I save/use the plastic packaging that comes when I receive online orders.

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MoveWorldly t1_j6b9txk wrote

Same, I keep every single type of packaging and use it for garbage in some way.

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Knobbies4Ever t1_j6bc46b wrote

100% this. Any plastic packaging that was going to go in the garbage now goes in the garbage full of cat turds & litter piss balls.

Trying to cut down on our plastic packaging intake, but it will be a while before there's not enough to handle litterbox duties.

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biiillyyyyyy OP t1_j6dbpz0 wrote

Any tips for storing/organizing?? I try but it just ends up very disorganized and stressful

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mjdlight t1_j69gr4c wrote

Litter Genie all the way.

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HumanShadow t1_j6bdgtf wrote

And you can just use regular kitchen garbage bags to refill.

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kelpiekelp t1_j6bios7 wrote

I bought biodegradable dog poop bags for daily scooping. If it’s a dump day” of the full boxes, I use trash bags.

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kelpiekelp t1_j6biqsf wrote

You can get huge packs off Amazon for relatively cheap!

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Audrasmama t1_j69fu4c wrote

We recycle the bags we put produce in at the grocery store, small brown paper bags from shopping, plastic from packaging. It was annoying at first but fine now that we've been doing it awhile.

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love2Vax t1_j69o2wh wrote

Also scoop right into kitchen and bathroom trash bags as they are on the way out to the can.

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kt-epps t1_j6alkh1 wrote

I ordered about 300 plastic bags from amazon. Then went to costco and saw i can buy a 1000 pack there.

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Lyaera319 t1_j6bgszv wrote

I now use those brown lunch bags. They are like 2 dollars for 100 of them. I of course have to do the daily mom joke and hold it up to my kids and ask if they want a sack lunch lmao. They decline the poop lunch.

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Dur-gro-bol t1_j69kkd5 wrote

I drink protein drinks that I mix myself. The container is a durable large plastic jug with a wide mouth and screw top lid. I can put about a week of clumps into a jug and then take out and empty into a garbage bag when I take they kitchen trash.

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Great-Recover-7080 t1_j6bh13j wrote

I used to do this 20 yrs ago only with plastic coffee containers. The problem with this method is the litter would never dry out. So opening it 3 to 4 times a day to clean the box meant you get hit with the smell.

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Dur-gro-bol t1_j6eolpg wrote

Lol yeah it hits pretty hard. I'm so cheap that I put up with it though. I can't stand the idea of buying bags to put poop into then throw out.

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partyzrfunny t1_j69kq7j wrote

We were in another area that didn’t allow bags, so we use a litter geenie XL. They sell compostable liners on Amazon. Target also sells the inserts in store brand. Our dogs have been using compostable poop bags for a while. I’ve also used dollar tree trash liners (for smaller cans) but we are trying to limit the amount of plastic we toss; however, those are very budget friendly as a roll of 50 is 1.25.

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PondaBobasLeftHand t1_j6a5b0b wrote

We save the bread bags, and produce bags…they are smaller, but not inconveniently so.

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SophsterSophistry t1_j6amd2o wrote

I used to use the litter genie but sometimes I'd wind up with not enough plastic to tie at the end of the roll, so I thought that was a bit wasteful. So, I switched to compostable bags (green):
Compostable Trash Bags, 2.6 Gallon Food Scrap Yard Waste Bags, 100 Count, Extra Thick 0.71 Mil.

The one drawback to these is that they're kind of flimsy so they don't stay open for you. But you can invert them and cover your hand and pick up stuff with them (quickly).
Once a week I'd empty out the litter box. I also used newspaper-based litter but my favorite was the grass seed type. I used to use sWheatscoop but it had bugs in it once and that turned me off. I think my cat was allergic to grass seed so that's why I switched to newsprint (Purina discontinued my favorite type of that so I had to make do with another). I don't like clay litters (how they smell and how they track all over).

My cat died yesterday so any cat talk is making me feel a bit better right now.

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biiillyyyyyy OP t1_j6d9mhi wrote

I’m so sorry for your loss ❤️

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SophsterSophistry t1_j6decnz wrote

Thank you so much. It stinks. But we had her for 18+ years and thinking through all the litter types/environments we had throughout the years was strangely helpful. You realize all the crazy things you try for your furry family members and how you love them. She was a great cat. Throughout all the different litters she never complained once. She just adapted. Adaptable, brave, and loud--she was just a Jersey cat.

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vakr001 t1_j68v7tl wrote

TJ MaXx has pet bags for cheap.

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lotusvagabond t1_j69d83j wrote

These are great and eco friendly. You might have to use two bags but they’re durable and I’ve never read an issue in the 5+ years I’ve used them. There’s also large sizes available with handles but maybe not in chewy https://www.chewy.com/earth-rated-dog-poop-bags-refill/dp/103048?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12737551675&utm_content=Earth%20Rated&utm_term=&gbraid=0AAAAADmQ2V0AuZfKKOlOFdJ9Kc6A_5fU7&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7Mz4je7q_AIVu8mUCR3Z_A8wEAQYASABEgLWp_D_BwE

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lilbunjk t1_j6ajeon wrote

Dog poop bags!!!

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bastard_child_botbot t1_j698zc9 wrote

I use litter robot. Garbage bag in bottom and change once a week.

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jimo95 t1_j69tcfb wrote

Small trash bags.

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katsock t1_j6a5os6 wrote

I just use bags that if use for any smaller garbage, for offices or bathrooms.

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MamaK35 t1_j6ais9w wrote

I buy these compostable green doggie poop bags. Link is here

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bonlow87 t1_j6ajdzz wrote

We get rolls of the large biodegradable dog poop bags

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AnnaFlaxxis t1_j6auxwm wrote

My son visited family in Oklahoma and he may or may not have smuggled some bags back.

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Revolutionary_Fee282 t1_j6fsxka wrote

You know bags are not banned for customers right? Store can't give you them in NJ or they get fined (Except for exempt types, i.e. chinese food and some others) but there is no ban on customers using them.

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mila476 t1_j6axoij wrote

The plastic bags the newspapers come in every day

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TastyAgency4604 t1_j6b0ey1 wrote

I scoop it daily into our dogs poop bags. They are pretty cheap and are made for the same substance anyway.

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keaco t1_j6b5i2b wrote

Paper lunch bags

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kittykat5607 t1_j6c64d9 wrote

I use the small bathroom trash bags. I know some people also will put regular garbage bags inside one of those plastic litter containers and scoop into there but I don’t care for having an untied bag even with the lid closed because I just have the one cat so it would take forever to fill it and I feel like it smells more.

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NurseJackie1969 t1_j69cl30 wrote

Bought a box of Tshirt bags on Amazon for $20 for 500

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[deleted] t1_j6aq7tm wrote

[deleted]

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NurseJackie1969 t1_j6az7ig wrote

I can't find the link but on Amazon they were Reli. Thank you Tshirt bags. 350 for $14. Our local BJs sells them too. Quality is ok but perfect for the cat box and for use in the car.

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draiman t1_j69qq79 wrote

I just bought a box of plastic bags on Amazon that I only use for my cat box.

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G_Rel7 t1_j69td7c wrote

I buy small bags. They’re pretty cheap tbh

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thevaultdweller77 t1_j69wvuq wrote

I have Purina litter breeze litter box, it doesn’t make any mess, it’s so easy to maintain and clean! And I bought a scooper that has poop bags attached so as I scoops it goes in the bag!

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jennifer_112 t1_j69x28w wrote

I use doggie poop bags. It does take some time to pour the dirty litter into those small bags but yeah

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Banana_bride t1_j69xr6d wrote

Doggie bags work perfectly. Can get like 500 for $10 on Amazon

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RedSpartan3227 t1_j6a2ovm wrote

You can buy very small drawstring bags on Amazon (one or two gallon size). We use them as bathroom can liners and for cat litter.

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healthierlurker t1_j6a7ek3 wrote

I have plastic litter box liners that tie up and go directly into a garbage bag. My cats sometimes scratch through the liner but it’s still easier to clean.

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bubonis t1_j6a7uln wrote

Been using a Litter Robot for the past 16 years with great success. Home Depot has 10 gallon trash can liners which fit perfectly.

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FettLivesMatter t1_j6ahq09 wrote

For our liter robot I use just regular tall kitchen trash bags

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katsuai t1_j6akejq wrote

I've been using the bags you put the produce in at the store. Sometimes I grab an extra or two. And basically any plastic I can get ahold of from packages and stuff. I've got quite the hoard. 😬

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CPT_Shiner t1_j6ao0py wrote

Sadly, our cat died before we ran out of old plastic bags.

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lisa111998 t1_j6aoy8f wrote

I use a large bucket with a lid and a kitchen garbage bag in it. No smell and I take it out once a week

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redwoodjules t1_j6azbk5 wrote

Paper bags. You can get wax lined paper bags like lunch bags in bulk.

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bibliosapiophile t1_j6b1mvp wrote

I bought 400 Thank You bags on Amazon. Just because we can’t get them at the grocery store does not mean we can’t get them

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robthetrashguy t1_j6b3g45 wrote

We use both a litter genie and the emptied litter bags. We had 5 senior cats but are down to 2.

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Top-Dealer4812 t1_j6bd3pr wrote

We take our garbage out once a day, so I just the box right before we take it out.

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Great-Recover-7080 t1_j6bjxty wrote

I stopped using plastic bags long before the ban. I also switched from the $40 bag swheat scoop to $6 bag wood stove pellets. Scoop into a small 5qt bucket then empty it into the garbage can in the garage. The wood pellets seemed to control any odors.

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ImATruthAddict t1_j6bnaf4 wrote

Go with the automated litter box from petsafe. You throw the whole cardboard litter cartridge away when it gets too dirty.

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InspiredBlue t1_j6br1sm wrote

They make small garbage bags. For like smaller garbage pails and they work pretty well

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NjMel7 t1_j6cjhgz wrote

I order biodegradable cat litter bags from Amazon. They have handles that you can tie up. I have 5 cats and 6 litter boxes, so a litter genie won’t work for me.

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thebaddmoon t1_j6cq3cy wrote

You can still buy plastic bags online. They just don’t give them out for free at grocery stores anymore. 15 dollars for 300 on Amazon.

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thefudd t1_j6cu8ge wrote

paper bags

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HavingALittleFit t1_j6cud0u wrote

Compost bags, you can get a package of 80 of them on Amazon for like $25 but I'm sure there's better deals somewhere. another option is when you're at the grocery store, go to the produce section and when no one is looking take one of those giant spools of the produce bags they have for putting your veggies in.

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DallasAM00 t1_j6cw8r5 wrote

I still use plastic bags because you can buy them on Amazon dirt cheap

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Mr-Muffin-Butterer t1_j6d2ujf wrote

This is a really stupid question but would flushing it down the toilet clog it? Like I know the pee is clumps of sand but the poop is poop? Idk is the water waste less environmentally friendly than the plastic bag waste?

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matt151617 t1_j6g3w7x wrote

It's a bad idea. The cat litter is meant to absorb moisture and that can quickly lead to a clog. Especially if it's down further in the sewer pipe, you could be in for some serious problems.

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Mr-Muffin-Butterer t1_j6g44py wrote

That makes a lot of sense and I should have definitely thought about that but either way okay that plan doesn’t work haha

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Fresh_Apartment_42 t1_j6d407h wrote

If it's one cat I use the doggie poop bags and I also saved every bag I've gotten from Amazon too even if it was wrapped around a stuffed animal it works. If not gonna have to get out the newspaper and wrap it lol

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RisingPhoenix0404 t1_j6dvbj4 wrote

You can order plastic bags grocery bags on Amazon. I have too many cats to bother with the liter genie and the expense of the bags for it. You can also go to a dollar store and get the small sized garbage bags.

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TattooedMom69 t1_j6dwnlq wrote

Costco sells a box of T-Shirt bags, which are same as old super market bags. 1000 for $18.00 . I use them for my cats litter as well as my dogs poop bags.

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Worth-Oil3002 t1_j6ea5t3 wrote

They sell food store type bags on Amazon. I miss them too. I have a relative in Missouri and they still have plastic bags and they send them to me!

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DebRog t1_j6egb3o wrote

Dog bags , people use to put dog poop in when you walk your dog. They are cheap , 300 for $5 on line

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Joiseygirl68 t1_j6eu35g wrote

If you know anyone who gets the newspaper delivered daily ask them to save the plastic bags the paper comes in. They’re nice and long so you can scoop right after your baby goes and then tie it off and still have plenty of length for 2-3 more scoops.

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matt151617 t1_j6g45th wrote

Small office-sized trashcan with a flip lid and the small garbage bags you can buy at the store. I empty it once a week with the trash.

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loveyoulaterbyyye t1_j6gj4pi wrote

I use poop bags off Amazon 600 of them for like $15

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grfede1 t1_j69dvzc wrote

I use small bags from a company called Doggy Do Good (3-Pack (180-Count) - Small Handle). They are biodegradable. (Not all bags advertised as biodegradable are.) They are a good price and it’s very handy to have them right next to the littler boxes. Amazon sells them or you can buy direct, free shipping over $65, I think.

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JEVoorhees t1_j6cdy41 wrote

My hidden stash of MORE Shoprite bags! After that, I'll start using the non-biodegradeable, $0.33/ea., fabric bags that we are NOW forced to use, of which I have a few dozen in the back seat of my truck! "F" ALL ENVIRONMENTALISTS!

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potatochipsfox t1_j6cyyw1 wrote

Hey bud fyi you have to be at least 13 years old to have a Reddit account

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Eggbert_Eggleson t1_j695bao wrote

We have our litter box in our basement bathroom/laundry room, so we've been scooping it straight to the toilet (shaking as much cat litter off of course)

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ctiger12 t1_j69bh1l wrote

Litter is cement, it theoretically could clog your toilet/sewage pipes, which means thousands of dollars of repairs, cat poops have parasites that will get into water systems eventually reach ocean and kill dolphins, it was suggested not to directly dump into toilet after study done in Bay Area California.

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Eggbert_Eggleson t1_j6al0da wrote

I had no idea that any of that can happen. Guess I'll grab some disposal bags off Amazon.

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Great-Recover-7080 t1_j6bhq45 wrote

Sounds like you’re referring to the cheap clay litter? That was like cement. I would never put any type of cat litter into the toilet.

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ctiger12 t1_j6ibymu wrote

Clumping litter is crushed cement, non-clumping are little pebbles or paper/straw chunks, none will go well in toilet.

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Wonderful_Ad3017 t1_j69cxox wrote

I’m so happy I don’t have a cat. Bring the hate. 😂

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ToastedSimian t1_j69htl5 wrote

Question headline literally addresses cat owners. Why feel the need to include your opinion at all?

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Wonderful_Ad3017 t1_j6aayi8 wrote

Honestly…I thought it was funny. Sorry if it’s not your sense of humor. Have a great day anyway!

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