Pay it forward for the doggos
Hurtta products are designed to withstand both time and wear because dogs play, work, and train hard. The better the quality, the longer the garment or gear will last, greatly reducing the product's environmental impact over the long haul. That's why we say, the longer you love it, the better it is for the planet.
We're also committed to reducing the environmental impact of our packaging materials by utilising sustainable packaging whenever possible. Our goal is to make all of our packaging sustainable by 2028.
We encourage other dog owners to adopt sustainable practices too. When we use our products to their fullest, repair them when possible, and recycle them after a full usage life, we reduce our dependence on landfills, conserve raw materials, and ultimately protect our common playground – our planet – for future generations of dogs and dog people.
Sort & recycle Hurtta products and packaging
Hurtta dog apparel and gear make great hand-me-downs
We all know how quickly dogs grow, which means they will inevitably grow out of their apparel. But just because a product is too small for your dog, doesn’t mean that it’s too small for another. Ask friends and family or look for an appropriately sized dog at your local dog park.
If your product is in good enough shape, you can even sell or gift it because Hurtta products are often in high demand. You can sell them at traditional flea markets or online dog flea markets. Even if your Hurtta product needs a few repairs, it most likely has a lot of life in it and can be used for a good while longer by the next little adventurer.
If your Hurtta product is no longer suitable for use, or its materials are not repairable, you can drop it off at a textile recycling point. For the recycling of reusable textiles, look for bins marked “clothing and accessories”. But note that your product should be mostly intact and clean to be accepted.
If the garment is too worn and no longer usable, please clean and tightly pack it in a plastic bag and drop it off at your local textile disposal collection site. Dirty, unrepairable apparel and gear should be disposed of in mixed waste bins.
Sort & recycle those packaging materials
Recycling packaging materials is much better for the environment than simply throwing them away. That way, the raw materials can be reused and you help to conserve natural resources. Simply follow the recycling symbols on the product’s packaging for how to sort and recycle it.
Sort hanging tags, cardboard hangers, and brown paper bags from e-commerce orders into cardboard collection bins. There is no need to remove any tape, hooks, or labels. The brown paper string of the hanging tags also belongs in the cardboard recycling bin, but any woven strings belong in the mixed waste bin.
You can identify packaging approved for cardboard packaging recycling by the codes printed in the triangle recycling symbol, e.g. cardboard and paper
packaging PAP 21, PAP 22, and corrugated cardboard packaging PAP 20.
Sort & recycle protective plastic bags
Sort and recycle plastic bags used to protect products during transport in plastic recycling collection bins. The plastic protective bag must be clean, but there is no need to remove tape or stickers before recycling. You can identify packaging approved for plastic packaging recycling by the codes printed in the triangle recycling symbol, e.g. LDPE 4, and PP 05.
Anything remaining is considered mixed waste
There won’t be much left but any remaining parts of the packaging should be sorted in mixed waste collection bins. For example, the nylon cord and black hanging hook of the hanging tag, or the elastic cord that holds the product in place on the cardboard hanger. If the product comes with a small, moisture-reducing silica gel pack, it too belongs in the mixed waste bin.
Before it goes, consider if it can be reused
Before disposing of any packaging material in a mixed waste bin, think if it might be able to be used in some other way. For example, a rubber band as a hair tie. Read more to find other clever ways to repurpose packaging materials. Nature-loving doggos will surely appreciate it.
Paw towels.
Cut suitably large pieces of the product's lining fabric. Sewing the edges on a sewing machine will prevent the edges from coming loose. Use on muddy paws when your dog comes in from outside.
Reflective scarf.
Cut a suitably sized triangular piece of the product's outer fabric, salvaging the reflective print. If necessary, sew the edges. Remove the rubber cord from the product collar or other fastening point. Fold and sew the long side of the triangle so that a space is formed for threading the rubber cord. Adjust the length of the cord to the length of the dog's neck with extra room for comfort and connect the ends of the cord with a knot. If you wish, you can cut another piece of the same size from the outer fabric and sew the pieces together. This inside section of the scarf may be finished the same way.
Hanging reflectors
(Slightly more challenging to make).
Cut two round or triangular pieces, for example, from the product's outer fabric, salvaging the reflective print. Put the right sides of the pieces together and sew the edges, leaving a turning hole of about 2-3 cm. Position the reflector so that the seams remain inside. Fill the reflector with product wadding. Remove the rubber cord from the product collar or other fastening point. Make a 5-10 cm long loop of rubber cord and tie the ends together. Place a knot inside and sew the hole closed. Do a few reinforcement stitches on top of the cord. Attach your new reflector to a dog harness or leash or your own bag or backpack.
Reflective patches.
For example, cut a round or triangular piece of the outer fabric of the broken product, salvaging the reflective print. Repair another broken Hurtta product or other garment by sewing a reflective patch over the torn area. The area may also be fastened with adhesive tape, but it may not withstand heavy wear and tear and multiple washings.
Dog toys.
Soft pull toys for dogs.
Cut three strips of material from the upper or lining fabric suitable for the dog's size. The wider the strips, the thicker the toy becomes, and correspondingly, the longer they are, the longer the toy you can make. Tie the strips together so you can braid them. Stop braiding when there are more than 5cm of strips left and make a knot at the end. Do not leave dogs unattended with toys.
Dog rope / leash toys.
You can make these toys from old rope or strap leashes. Cut out the metal parts. Burn the ends of the straps or ropes to prevent them from unwinding. Then select the toy you would like to make. For some instructions you will need two leashes. The instructions work best for leashes made from a 180 cm long leash. Do not leave dogs unattended with toys.
Soft toys for dogs.
You will need a sewing machine. Cut two pieces of the quilted fabric into your desired shape. Obviously a toy made of outer fabric will be more durable than using a lining fabric. Turn the right sides together and sew the pieces together, leaving a space of about 4 cm. Turn the stitch and fill it with cotton wool. Cut the desired length, at least 15cm, from the belt of the jacket. Slide the ends of the tape inside the opening and fold the edges. Sew the opening closed and make several back and forth stitches as reinforcement so that the ribbon ends withstand boisterous play. You can make several different shaped toys with or without ribbons. Do not use plastic or metal parts. Do not leave dogs unattended with toys.
Rubber hair loops / Rubber braids.
Remove the rubber cords from the packaging or the damaged Hurtta product. Cut about 15 cm pieces of rubber cord. Burn the ends of the rubber cord so that the overlay does not come loose. Tie the ends of the cord together and use it as a hair loop. If you have a hot glue gun, connect the ends of the rubber cord with hot glue, allow the glue to dry and use it as a hair loop. Never leave glue guns unattended.
Decorative hair loop.
Follow the instructions for a rope toy and make a monkey's fist knot out of rubber bands or elastic straps. Then connect the ends of the rubber cord with either a knot or hot glue. Never leave glue guns unattended.
