A Circular Economy for Pets

In an ideal world, living sustainably wouldn’t be at odds with owning cats and dogs. Unfortunately, the commercial pet industry hasn’t always made that easy: More than 300 million pounds of plastic waste is produced by Big Pet every year, 90 percent of which ends up in landfills and oceans. When it comes to our animal companions’ food, the choices we’re given are often rife with unhealthy additives and chemicals. Their food comes with a carbon cost as well. According to one study, a single country made up of all the world’s dogs and cats would rank fifth globally for meat consumption, delivering up to 64 million tons of greenhouse gases. Then there’s all those wasteful novelties (think Pawsifico beer can squeaky toys) that end up in landfill.

The good news? Consumer demand for a circular economy is driving better alternatives, from pet foods packed with nutrient-dense ingredients to programs that recycle used items.

The pet food scoop

Many mainstream brands of pet food blend rendered (which just means repurposed) animal byproducts (tissues, bones, organs) with not-so-nutritious ingredients like artificial preservatives, sweeteners, and synthetic chemicals that boost heft and flavor. Using animal byproducts isn’t necessarily a bad thing—in fact, treats and toppers these days are increasingly made from spent grains, organ meat harvested from regenerative ranches, fish trimmings, and sweet potato and pumpkin scraps. However, the ingredients in daily pet fare like kibble are often heated to very high temperatures, which can nix the nutrients their labels advertise.

Charline Touchard, a canine nutritionist and consultant, suggests that owners focus on brands whose ingredient lists start with dehydrated meat. “Dogs process meat and fat much better than grains,” she says. Also steer clear of products that have corn syrup, artificial colors, fillers such as wheat or soy, and synthetic preservatives like BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene).

Touchard recommends ensuring that pet food is approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials, which regulates ingredients, and is appropriate for your pet’s life stage. West Paw, Shameless Pets, Portland Pet Food Company, Brew Chewz, and Leashless Lab are a few examples of new companies offering sustainably minded options.

A packaging paradigm shift

Pet companies haven’t exactly been recycling’s best friend. Most of the packaging you find in pet stores is not recyclable.

Some states are trying to change that. Seven now have extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies in place, designed to shift the burden of waste management onto producers, making them financially responsible for the entire life cycle of the products they create. “EPR compliance is why brands are committing to more circular packaging, marked by reduced use of virgin plastic and redesigns that render packaging easier to recycle and compost,” says Vivian Tai, director of innovation at GS1 US, which offers companies supply chain data through tracking technology such as barcodes.

Try to buy products from companies doing their part to keep waste out of landfills. Chewy, for example, packages pet food and goods efficiently, using less filler material like air pillows and more biodegradable and recyclable materials. After all, “you don’t need much packaging around a dog toy,” says Caroline DeLoach, director of sustainability at Atlantic Packaging.

Here are 12 pet brands that specialize in the circular economy

Feed, comfort, and entertain your best friend in closed-loop fashion

Recyclable fun and games

It can be so easy to just toss that slobbery loved-to-near-death pet toy into the garbage. But guess what? It can be repurposed instead.

Look for companies that will take those items back. West Paw, for example, has a Join the Loop recycled gear program—the company will wash your used toy, chip it into little bits, and remold it into new products. Last year, according to West Paw founder Spencer Williams, the company partnered with PetSmart to offer drop sites for used products at select locations. West Paw also invests in supply chains that support both rural economies and land conservation efforts. For example, its beef sticks are made from grass-fed cows on regenerative ranches.

Similarly, Benebone has partnered with TerraCycle to give used nylon dog chew toys a second life—just mail them in.

Creating a more circular pet economy

Here are some other ways to make a difference.

Ask pet companies to join the circular economy by committing to using less packaging and supporting drop-off hubs, prepaid shipping labels, and repair warranties for used products.

Look into creating pet gear libraries or join one if it already exists in your community. Touchard says that used dog equipment abounds on Facebook Marketplace: “I have collars, leashes, and harnesses I’ve used for 13 years.”

Consider donating gently used items like collars, bowls, and toys to underfunded animal shelters. “These are high-need, high-turnover essentials,” Touchard points out. “Donation offers an immediate, low-carbon reuse model that also supports animals in need.”

Make a broader impact by advocating for EPR policies in your state. Visit recyclingpartnership.org for a toolkit.