PSC Packaging Pledge

PSC developed the Packaging Pledge in consultation with leading industry experts upon examining some key metrics. First, more than 300 million pounds of pet food and treat packaging is produced each year in North America, and 99% of it ends up in a landfill due to the frequent use of non-recyclable multi-material flexible packaging structures. Secondly, according to the American Pet Products Association, 70% of US households have a pet, therefore a majority of American homes are dealing with this difficult-to-recycle pet food and treat packaging.

Even while these figures reaffirm the importance of packaging as a major sustainability issue within the pet industry, most pet companies have not had enough staff allocation, tools, or resources to switch to sustainable packaging by themselves.

In an effort to provide the guidance needed to reduce this environmental impact, PSC launched the Packaging Pledge as “the pet industry’s pathway toward sustainable packaging by 2025.” It aligns with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment and is focused on transitioning pet industry packaging toward recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging by 2025.

When a company joins the PSC Packaging Pledge, they are provided access to several tools and resources, and to experts who can assist them in their sustainable packaging journey. Some of these benefits include:

• Monthly peer working groups to collaborate and share lessons learned and new successes among other signatories
• Access to a pre-vetted marketplace featuring packaging suppliers that provide sustainable packaging options
• Ongoing legislative updates and education to stay informed in this ever-changing packaging landscape
• Business case data to support conversations with company decision makers
• Tools including packaging life cycle analysis, the Recycling Partnership’s Plastic IQ, How2Recycle labeling support, and packaging design guidelines

Today, as the Packaging Pledge nears its one-year anniversary, 15 pet industry members have made the commitment and begun transitioning their packaging through the resources provided.