The Hidden Cost Of Owning A Pet
As animal lovers, we enter into the world of pet ownership prepared with as much information as possible. We research the right breed of dog for our family, learn about their temperament and activity needs, and even spend time comparing the pros and cons of various pet food brands. But what if we told you that there’s one element you hadn’t considered before, something that is usually important to you in your daily life, but slipped completely under the radar when it comes to owning a pet? In today’s article, we’re exploring the hidden cost of owning a pet - waste.
The Environmental Impact Of The Pet Industry
Through a combination of research and market data, Taylor & Tails have ascertained that the average family replaces their dog’s bed on an annual basis. In 2021, there were 12 million dogs in the UK, that’s 12 million dog beds that could hypothetically end up in landfill. Even if we were to take a more conservative estimate and say that only 50% of owners replace their dog bed annually, that’s still around 30,000 tonnes of synthetic waste that is sent to landfill.
Alarmed? We were too. After all, a good sofa or mattress will last a decade, so why aren’t dog beds made to the same standard?
We soon discovered that most dog beds are manufactured for a pittance in deprived areas of the world. Not only are workers rights and regulations minimal in many of these factories, sometimes even relying on child labour, but many manufacturers also think nothing of polluting rivers, lakes and forests with harmful materials and factory waste. Not to mention the environmental impact of importing these low quality products to the UK.
Taylor & Tails do things differently. Our beds are designed and distributed in the UK, meeting the highest quality and safety standards. We create beds that last longer, reducing waste and decreasing the carbon footprint of pet ownership.
A Sustainable Future For Our Planet And Pets
The ongoing cycle of purchasing cheap and replacing might feel almost instinctual in an era of throwaway, low-cost consumerism; yet, this is a false economy. Built-to-last items are normally more expensive than lower-quality alternatives, but won’t require constant replacing. In the case of a Taylor & Tails bed, it may even last the lifetime of your pet.
Buying well rather than twice, is at the heart of our business. We’re bringing back quality, long-lasting manufacturing of old, and showing our customers that you can find well-made and long-lasting pet products that don’t compromise on quality, luxury or comfort.
At Taylor & Tails, we use shredded memory foam from the offcuts of human mattress production where possible. This not only saves these materials from landfill, but allows our pets to get the same level of comfort that you’d expect from your own bed.
Our fabrics are all OEKO-TEX® certified and fall under REACH compliance which proves their ecological safety and responsible sourcing. They are the same luxury upholstery fabric and vegan leather used in sofa production, with an additional coating to offer resistance against marks and moisture. This ensures your dog bed is as hard wearing as the other frequently used items of furniture in your home.
Our Promise
We set out to build a sustainable business model that we can be proud of as a family-owned business. With this in mind, Taylor & Tails is built on four guiding principles.
- To manufacture, design and develop long-lasting, high-quality dog beds.
- To raise awareness of the environmental impact of waste produced by the industry.
- To provide exceptional customer service, complete with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
- To promote pet safety, wellness, and health, while supporting associations that rescue and promote the humane treatment of animals.
Together, we can ensure our planet is around for future generations of humans and pets alike.
