One of the best ways to be kinder to the environment is to use eco-friendly and sustainable pet products. A great way for dog owners to shop consciously is to purchase dog food brands that use recyclable packaging.
Unfortunately, not all dog food bags are recyclable. It depends on the brand and its connection with any recycling programs. Here’s an updated list of brands that use recyclable dog food bags and programs that will help you recycle them.
What Kinds of Dog Food Bags Are Recyclable?
Many dog food bags aren’t recyclable because they’re made with both paper and plastic. In order to safely preserve food, a lined bag is necessary to keep moisture out and leave the food dry and uncontaminated.
However, some recycling plants accept bags that are 100% plastic. Keep in mind that these plastic items typically won’t be picked up via your usual curbside recycling. You’ll have to drop them off at the nearest drop site.
Dog food bags that are made with just paper are also recyclable. If you’re unsure if a pet food bag is made entirely out of paper, try tearing it with your hands. If you’re able to rip it pretty easily, then it’s most likely made with just paper. Dog food bags with a plastic lining won’t tear.
Brands Using Recyclable Dog Food Bags
Some dog food brands have partnered with recycling organizations to promote sustainable practices. TerraCycle is one recycling company that has partnerships with some dog food brands such as the following:
- Earthborn Holistic
- Eukanuba
- Karma Pet Foods
- Nulo Challenger
- Open Farm
- Portland Pet Food Company
- Wellness
- Weruva
Dog food bags that are recyclable by TerraCycle will have the TerraCycle logo on them. To participate in TerraCycle’s recycling programs, you’ll have to create a free online account.
A handful of dog food brands do have packaging that is recyclable. Some of these brands are the following:
- Canidae
- Hill’s
- NutriSource Pet Food
- Purina
- Royal Canin
- Stella & Chewy’s
Keep in mind that not all recycling plants will accept bags from these dog food brands. Some may automatically take these bags during their normal recycling pickup route. Others may require you to drop them off at a separate site. So, it’s best to call your municipality before you place these bags into your recycling bin.
If your current dog food brand isn’t on our list, you can always check the packaging and look for the recycling symbol. Some dog food bags with the recycling symbol may also have the How2Recycle logo on them. Visiting the website will give you more specific information on how to recycle your particular bag.
Conclusion
The two main ways to recycle your dog food bag are to purchase bags from brands that use recyclable materials or have joined a recycling program, such as TerraCycle. Before you switch dog food brands, make sure to check with your local recycling company to ensure that they can recycle the dog food bag.
Many pet food companies are making shifts to create more sustainable and recyclable packaging. So, while the options are limited now, we anticipate more brands switching over to more eco-friendly practices in the next several years.
Featured Image Credit: Caftor, Shutterstock
