Sustainability of pet product packaging: a peek into the necessity

The demand for plastic packaging

The demand for plastic for use in packaging is continuing to grow steadily from various industries in China, Europe and the US. Thanks to cost-effectiveness, versatility and now also the emphasis on hygiene, plastic is winning as a packaging material. However, the packaging industry is under pressure to offer alternatives now that sustainability has become a buzzword.

Is the sustainability-consciousness for packaging pet products sustainable?

Customers are increasingly label-conscious shoppers for all their purchases, including pet products. Pet owners tend to care as much for their pets as they do for their kids. This means that they show little hesitance to opt for premium pet products – whether pet food, pet accessories or anything else.

Given this shift in consumer behaviour, manufacturers of pet products are targeting the premium market. One area of emphasis is the packaging, since cardboard and metal packaging materials can make the pet product look appealing and add a premium feel. It would be unfair to say that this has made plastic redundant as a packaging material.

However, today’s consumers also prefer products that are good for the environment as well as for themselves. This implies that plastic is a strict ‘no-no’ – and this sustainability trend increasingly extends into the pet product category too.

What are the ideal solutions for sustainable packaging?

Packaging of pet products has several underlying conflicts. Sustainable packaging material is not cost-efficient. Cheaper packaging material is not sustainable. Cheaper and sustainable packaging material is not durable. In order to develop attractive packaging at a lower cost with a high sustainability quotient, manufacturers are striving to increase the content of recyclable material in their plastic packaging.

For instance, TerraCycle introduced a zero-waste solution for pet food packaging. The waste is collected manually and is then separated into recyclable and non-recyclable types of plastic. The recyclable plastic undergoes extrusion and pelletisation for use in manufacturing new recycled plastic products such as packaging for vitamins and pet treats.

Pet owners in developed countries often have more than one pet, which implies they need to buy at least twice the amount of pet products. This encourages bulk purchases, which is actually a positive development in the context of sustainability since it reduces the amount of waste generated. Stimulating bulk buying of pet products helps customers to not only benefit from lower costs but also to contribute to sustainability.

Innovation in pet product packaging is evolutionary

In contrast with the fast pace of product innovations, packaging innovations are usually limited to recycling, and only for the most popular products. However, since pet products are a necessity that generate a huge volume of waste, there should be a greater focus on the packaging materials used.

The insights presented here are based on a study by FMI on the pet care market.