"Unfortunately, the scale of pet food packaging waste is staggering. The Pet Sustainability Coalition estimates that 300 million pounds of pet food and treat packaging waste is generated in the United States each year, and over 99% of it ends up in landfills rather than being recycled. The pet food industry produces an estimated 300 million pounds of plastic waste annually, with most packaging made from non-recyclable or hard-to-recycle materials."
"According to rePurpose Global, 20 pet food brands have partnered with the organization to recover 2,000 tons of plastic waste from nature; the equivalent of 111 million plastic bottles. These partnerships are financing waste recovery in Colombia, Indonesia, Kenya, and India while creating income streams for over 4,500 waste workers. The Pet Sustainability Coalition's Packaging Pledge, commits signatory companies to transition to 100% recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging."
Americans spent $67.8 billion on pet food and treats in 2024 and more than 94 million U.S. households include at least one pet. Pet food packaging generates an estimated 300 million pounds of plastic waste annually in the United States, with over 99% reportedly ending up in landfills. Many dry pet food bags are polypropylene (#5) or multi-layer aluminum/plastic and are difficult for conventional recycling. Partnerships with organizations like rePurpose Global have recovered thousands of tons of plastic and funded waste recovery programs in multiple countries. The Pet Sustainability Coalition's Packaging Pledge aims to shift companies toward recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging. Wet pet food commonly arrives in steel cans, a widely recycled material used for soup and coffee cans.
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