by Tim Truscott  

I recently noticed a fairly new kitty litter product in the pet food aisle of a Hannaford Supermarket. It is called “Yesterday’s News” and is made by Purina from recycled newspapers. The newspaper is pelletized and, as the pellets absorb moisture, they expand. The package claims that the material is 99+ percent dust-free, which is something that can’t be said for conventional kitty litter, which is made from clay.

Yesterday’s News probably has some environmental benefits (aside from being dust-free) which make it attractive. It is yet another way to recycle used newspaper, and perhaps could make use of newspaper which is slightly contaminated/soiled/wet, something which is a problem in recycling paper.

But on the other end of things, it seems to me that when it comes time to dispose of “Yesterday’s News,” along with what the kitty did in it, it is much more environmentally friendly. I would think that this stuff (including the bag it came in from the store) could be composted right along with one’s yard waste and food waste.

Does anyone have thoughts on this? Have others had experience with Yesterday’s News?