Pet Supplies Plus, Wag N’ Wash Celebrate Earth Day with Major Sustainability Milestone

In recognition of Earth Day, national pet retail brands Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash are marking a significant achievement: the recycling of 30.3 tons of plastic pet food, treat and litter bag packaging — or the equivalent of three Tyrannosaurus Rex — through the Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash Free Recycling Program. Together with TerraCycle, an international leader in innovative sustainability solutions, the partnership promotes sustainable business practices by offering neighbors a free and convenient solution to recycle any brand of pet food, treat and litter bag packaging by utilizing dedicated recycling stations available in participating stores.

How It Works

• It’s estimated that the U.S. pet food industry produces 400 million tons of plastic waste yearly. Most pet food packaging is made from non-recyclable or hard-to-recycle materials, resulting in 99% of all pet food packaging being thrown away rather than recycled, and ending up in landfills or oceans.
• The partnership created an in-store recycling program that offers a free and convenient solution for neighbors to give this packaging a second life. Neighbors can drop off these items in a designated collection bin at their local participating Pet Supplies Plus or Wag N’ Wash.
• All pet food, treat, and litter bag packaging, as well as Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash delivery bags, collected in-store are returned to TerraCycle to be shredded, cleaned and recycled into raw materials used to make new products.
• Since the partnership launched in 2023, more than 30 tons of waste have been prevented from ending up in landfills or incinerators.

“Our partnership with TerraCycle continues to highlight our commitment to sustainability, not just on Earth Day, but year-round,” said Chris Rowland, chief executive officer of Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash. “We are proud that our neighbors have supported this commitment and contributed to the success of the program. Together, we’re setting a new benchmark for environmental responsibility in the pet industry and making a lasting impact on our planet’s future.”

The franchise brands were the first in the pet retail industry to partner with TerraCycle, and have since educated neighbors nationwide on how they can reduce their carbon footprint through the in-store recycling program. Pet parents can learn more about which products can be recycled on the Pet Supplies Plus website and Wag N’ Wash website.

“This program shows how accessible recycling solutions can deliver real environmental impact,” said Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “The Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash Free Recycling Program gives pet owners a simple way to collect and recycle pet food packaging, keeping it out of landfills and incinerators — turning everyday habits into meaningful progress.”