Dog Living The dog-friendly lifestyle
This World Animal Day, pet owners of all kinds—from dog and cat lovers to bird parents—can help protect the planet. International recycling leader for hard-to-recycle waste, TerraCycle offers a free and easy way to recycle everything from pet food packaging to well-loved accessories so your furry and feathered friends can be sustainable, too. Whether it’s leftover food bags, worn-out toys, or even old pet bowls and leashes, TerraCycle’s free recycling programs and Zero Waste Boxes ensure pet products and packaging don’t end up in landfills or incinerators.
The Pet Sustainability Coalition estimates that 300 million pounds of pet food and treat bags are generated in the United States alone every year, and over 99% of those bags are not recycled. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
“Most people don’t realize that almost anything can be technically recycled—even pet-related waste like empty food bags, old toys, and chews,” said TerraCycle CEO and founder Tom Szaky. “Through our partnerships with top brands and our Zero Waste Boxes, it’s easy for pet owners to recycle these everyday items. Together, we can make more sustainable choices for our pets and the planet.”
TerraCycle offers multiple free programs for pet parents to recycle packaging from their pets’ favorite treats, including:
- “I and love and you.”® Free Recycling Program
- Halo® Pet Food Free Recycling Program
- Portland Pet Food Company Free Recycling Envelope Program
- ROYAL CANIN® Free Recycling Program
- Wellness® Pet Food Free Recycling Program
Participation is simple: sign up on the respective TerraCycle free program pages, download a prepaid shipping label, and send in empty pet food packaging.
For even more sustainable options, take care of your animal companions by using Zero Waste Boxes to collect and recycle all your pet-related waste:
- Recycle all brands of pet food packaging with the Pet Food Packaging – Zero Waste Box™.
- Recycle well-used toys, chews, tugs and more with the Pet Products (Non-Food) – Zero Waste Box™.
- Recycle even more with the versatile All-In-One Zero Waste Box™, including empty treat bags, brushes, and food bowls.
When full, the boxes are returned to TerraCycle for recycling using the affixed prepaid shipping label. All accepted waste is guaranteed to be recycled into raw materials that can be used to make new products.
For more information on TerraCycle’s recycling programs, visit www.terracycle.com.
