Looking for sustainable packaging solutions

Size of the plastic problem

According to research conducted on behalf of the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), it is estimated that 300 million pounds (135 million kilos) of plastic pet food and treat bags are generated in the US each year. It is also estimated that 99% of this packaging does not currently have an end-of-life solution other than landfill.

Evaluating sustainable options

In 2018, PetSmart and PSC commissioned a feasibility report and impact matrix to evaluate dozens of potential packaging efforts, ranked by their potential impact to combat this problem. One of the solutions to come out of the study was a return-to-retail pilot. This aimed to research the feasibility of collecting pet food and treat packaging and to find a sustainable end-of-life solution for these materials.

Collection pilot surpasses goal

Through the financial generosity of Earth Animal, PSC was able to launch Flex Forward in early 2019. Based on the data needs identified in the initial feasibility study, the programme’s collection goals were established at collecting 5,000 pounds (2,250 kilos) of pet food and treat packaging. It was estimated that this would take at least six months, and the team set a goal for starting collections in early 2020. But due to COVID-19, collections were not able to start until August 2020.

Pet industry distributor Pet Food Experts provided logistical and staff support, as well as access to their retailer network in the Pacific Northwest region of the US. Early data of the demographics of this population showed high interest in participation and high engagement in other waste reduction programmes. In the five months of active collections in the Flex Forward pilot, 127 participating retailers collected 8,356 pounds (3,790 kilos) of pet food and treat packaging, greatly surpassing the initial goal of 5,000 pounds (2,250 kilos). Meeting the target, this phase was completed in February 2021.

Lessons learned

Through the collections phase of the Flex Forward pilot, many valuable lessons were learned, which are available in a full report. Moving forward, PSC is now working with several recycling and end-of-life partners to determine the most sustainable solution for the collected materials. At the same time, PSC is collaborating with the pet industry as a whole, to move it towards recyclable, compostable and refillable packaging solutions which already have established collection or processing systems in place. 95.6% of participating retailers felt confident that the Flex Forward programme provided value for their business.

Expanding the programme

Flex Forward was one of several efforts by PSC to advance sustainable packaging solutions within the pet industry. Based on the collection results, and initial inspection of the collected materials, PSC will take a dual approach to developing long-term and shortterm solutions that can address the industry’s waste footprint. That approach will include the provision of tools and resources to move the industry as a whole towards sustainable packaging solutions, while working to collect and recycle the packaging on the market today.

To determine the feasibility of expanding an in-store recycling programme to additional regions, nationally or outside the US, PSC will:

• complete testing
• undergo financial modelling
• ensure environmental impact modelling
• leverage knowledge from the pilot towards improvement

Report and webinar

Download the full Flex Forward Report here.
View PSC’s Webinar on Flex Forward here.

The collaborators

• Earth Animal: Sole financial sponsor of the pilot.
• Petfood Experts: Distribution partner for the pilot.
• Best Friend Nutrition: Collected the most used packaging of any individual store.
• Pet Pros: Collected the most used bags of any multi-store group.