Pet Supplies Plus, Wag N’ Wash Recycle 27,000 Pounds of Pet Packaging in First Year of TerraCycle Partnership

In just the first year of a nationwide sustainability project, Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash have helped keep 27,000 pounds of pet product packaging from ending up in landfills and incinerators. The franchise brands made news last year when they became the first pet retailers in the United States to partner with TerraCycle, an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions.

Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash are ramping up their commitment to sustainability. It’s estimated that the world produces 57 million tons of plastic pollution every year, which threatens ecosystems, wildfires and human health alike. As the pet industry continues to grow with nearly 66 percent of US households having a pet, there is an immediate need to take action to ensure plastic packaging from various pet items does not end up in landfills

While many may try to recycle pet packaging, most items are not accepted through standard curbside recycling services because its complex material composition and lingering food residue make it difficult and unprofitable for local recyclers to process. As the first pet retailers to team up with TerraCycle to offer a free, convenient in-store recycling solution for pet food, treat and litter packaging, as well as delivery bags, Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash are providing pet parents a resource that is truly making a positive impact.

“The first year of our partnership with TerraCycle has been an overwhelming success,” said Chris Rowland, Chief Executive Officer of Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash. “We are beyond proud of our neighbors nationwide who recycled 13.5 tons of plastic that would have otherwise been thrown out. This is just the beginning of our commitment to sustainability and helping create a cleaner world for our neighbors and pets.”

About the In-Store Recycling Program:

• Neighbors can drop off empty flexible plastic pet food, treat and litter bags from any brand and for any species of pet, to designated collection bins located in participating stores across the country. Additionally, neighbors can bring in any delivery bags from their Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash online orders.
• All pet product packaging and delivery bags collected in-store are returned to TerraCycle to be shredded, cleaned and recycled into raw materials used to make new products.
• The in-store recycling program was created to make things easy for neighbors while playing a role in reducing plastic waste.
• Pet parents can learn more about which products can be recycled on the Pet Supplies Plus website and Wag N’ Wash website.

“This partnership between Pet Supplies Plus, Wag N’ Wash and TerraCycle has already played an important role in keeping pet food packaging out of landfills and incinerators across the United States,” said Tom Szaky, CEO and Founder of TerraCycle. “By voluntarily taking responsibility for all brands of empty pet food packaging, Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash are redefining standards for sustainability in the pet industry.”

For more information, visit Pet Supplies Plus or Wag N’ Wash.