PSC calls for industry coalition against waste

The Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), a Colorado-based non-profit organisation dedicated to helping pet product companies improve their sustainability footprint, has completed its most ambitious environmental initiative to date: Plastic Recovery July. In collaboration with rePurpose Global, the PSC and 14 participating brands joined forces to remove over 92,000 pounds of plastic waste from some of the world's most polluted ecosystems.

The pet industry consumes more than 300 million pounds of plastic packaging each year, according to the PSC – up to 99 per cent of which ends up in landfills, oceans or the natural environment. Nearly every product category relies on plastic, including supplements, toys, grooming products, disposable poop bags and food packaging. “A large dog can generate about 39 pounds of plastic waste per year. Multiply that by just 100,000 Labrador Retrievers, and you get over 3 mio pounds of waste per year”, the organisation explains.

Over the course of the month, the Plastic Recovery July campaign achieved the following:

● 92,000 pounds of plastic recovered from the environment

● Four important ecosystems protected, including coral reefs, mangrove forests and the foothills of the Himalayas

● Supported more than 1,070 waste workers with safe, dignified jobs

● Empowered over 800 women through leadership opportunities in the workplace

● Impacted three countries: Kenya, India and Indonesia.

"When we act together, we make a real difference. That's how we create a better pet industry. Our coalition will continue to pave the way for measurable and impactful sustainability across the pet industry”, said Jim Lamancusa, CEO of the Pet Sustainability Coalition. “If the enthusiasm of our members continues to be this high, we will make this an annual event. Many of our members are looking for a concrete and measurable way to reduce their plastic footprint, so campaigns like this are a win-win situation.”