In just one year Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash have made a significant impact on sustainability efforts in the pet retail sector, preventing 27,000 pounds of pet product packaging from ending up in landfills or incinerators. The two franchise brands, which last year became the first U.S. pet retailers to partner with TerraCycle, are making headlines again as they celebrate the success of their nationwide recycling initiative.
Pet Supplies Plus, known as one of the largest and highly trusted pet retail franchise in the U.S., and Wag N’ Wash, an emerging name in self-wash, grooming, and natural pet food, are taking a stand against the growing issue of plastic pollution. With an estimated 57 million tons of plastic pollution produced globally each year according to a recent PBS News article. Waste generated from pet product packaging is a contributing factor. This makes Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash commitment to sustainability very timely. As the pet industry expands—now encompassing nearly 66% of U.S. households according to the American Pet Products Association (2023-2024) —it becomes increasingly urgent to address the environmental impact of pet ownership.
Pet Supplies Plus & Wag N’ Wash – Making Recycling Easy and Effective
One challenge for many pet owners is that pet food and treat packaging is often not accepted in curbside recycling due to its complex material structure and potential food residue. Recognizing this gap, Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash teamed up with TerraCycle, a leader in innovative recycling solutions, to introduce a free, in-store recycling program for pet food, treat, and litter packaging, as well as delivery bags from online orders.
Pet owners, referred to as “neighbors” by the brands, can bring empty flexible plastic bags from any brand to participating stores, where the materials are collected and sent to TerraCycle for processing. The waste is then shredded, cleaned, and turned into raw materials that can be used to create new products.
Chris Rowland, CEO of Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash, highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating,
“The first year of our partnership with TerraCycle has been an overwhelming success. 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.”
A New Standard for the Pet Industry
The collaboration with TerraCycle sets a new precedent for sustainability in the pet retail industry. By providing a convenient, accessible way for customers to recycle their pet packaging, Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash are not only reducing waste but also raising awareness about the importance of responsible recycling practices.
“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,” noted 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.”
Beyond their sustainability efforts, both brands remain dedicated to providing quality pet care experiences. Pet Supplies Plus offers a broad selection of natural pet foods, U.S.-made products, and in-store services like grooming and self-serve wash stations across its more than 730 locations nationwide. Meanwhile, Wag N’ Wash continues to build its reputation with self-serve pet wash stations, full-service grooming salons, and a variety of natural pet food and specialty products.
Looking Ahead: A Greener Future
With the initial success of this program, Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash are gearing up for even more impact in the coming years. By offering this easy-to-use recycling solution, the brands hope to inspire other companies in the pet industry to take similar steps toward sustainability. As they look ahead, they aim to continue making strides towards a greener future, benefitting both pet owners and the planet.
For more information about the recycling program, pet owners can visit the Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N’ Wash websites to learn which products are accepted and find the nearest participating location.
Franchise Heart comes in many shapes and forms. Recycling and making shifts towards sustainability are great examples. Love Franchise Heart stories? Check out more here.
