Are Dog Food Bags Recyclable? Brand Facts & FAQ

The bigger your dog, the bigger their food bag is! But have you ever wondered what you can do with all those bags instead of just throwing them in the garbage? Can you even recycle dog food bags?

It actually depends on the brand. Most dog food bags are not recyclable, but a few companies have recyclable bags or enable you to send the food bags in, and they will recycle them for you. Here, we discuss why most dog food bags can’t be recycled and which manufacturers do have recyclable food bags.

Why Can’t Most Dog Food Bags Be Recycled?

The biggest reason that most dog food bags can’t be recycled is tied to how the food bag is designed. Once the bag is opened, the food needs to stay as fresh as possible inside the bag. So, the bags are specially designed to preserve the kibble by keeping out moisture and pests. That way, the kibble stays safe and dry.

Dog food bags are also made to be strong yet lightweight. Many are made with woven polypropylene plastic, while others use non-woven plastic, lined paper, and unlined paper bags. Some can’t be recycled, and others can only be recycled in a few communities.

What Kind of Bags Can You Recycle?

Some bags are recyclable, like the ones made with unlined paper. Other bags are limited by whether you can recycle them. It ultimately depends on the recycling plant in your community.

If the food bag is made with woven polypropylene or non-woven plastic, it typically can’t be recycled because it contains plastic. Some bags will be accepted if you drop them off at the recycling plant rather than using the curbside pickup.

One of the best ways to judge if you have plastic or paper bags is to try to tear them. Paper tears easily, but if there’s a plastic lining, you’ll have a much harder time ripping it up.

What Brands Use Recyclable Dog Food Bags?

TerraCycle

Several pet food manufacturers have partnered with organizations that offer sustainable and recycling practices. One of the big ones is TerraCycle, which has partnered with the following pet food brands:

To participate in the TerraCycle program, you must ensure that the brand you use is enrolled. If your dog food bag has the TerraCycle logo,  you are good to go. You can sign up for an account with TerraCycle and request a shipping label to be emailed to you.

Then, you'll print out the shipping label and place it on your box of dog food bags that are dry and empty. It’s then shipped to TerraCycle at no cost to you.

TerraCycle can recycle several materials that are typically a challenge to recycle. It washes the bags, melts them down, and uses the resulting material to create new products.

How Do You Dispose of Your Dog Food Bags?

You should check with your municipality’s recycling program. Most cities and communities have guides that show you what is recyclable, what needs to be thrown out as waste or compost, and what you need to take to the recycling plant.

Most products use the recycling classification system numbered 1 to 7 for plastics. You can look for the number on your dog food bag to get a better idea of what material it’s made of.

You can use the guide that your city has available, which is usually found on the city website (search for waste management or recycling). Or, check for a city app that gives you the collection schedule and recycling information.

What About Other Pet Food Packaging?

There are other kinds of packaging used for different food-related items. Most wet food comes in recyclable cans. They can be made with steel, but more likely aluminum, which can be infinitely recycled.

There are also foil pouches used for dog treats, which are resealable but can’t be recycled.

What Else Can You Do With Dog Food Bags?

You can turn food bags into other things if you're crafty. For example, you can turn a food bag into a tote bag. This could become a fun and profitable Etsy business if you have several bags saved.

Food bags can also be used in gardening as grow bags, or you can make a unique outdoor tablecloth or an apron. Use your imagination, and look up tutorials online if you need more information!

Conclusion

Now you know so much about your dog food bags! That is a good thing because being environmentally conscious is ideal. If you decide to change your dog’s food because your current brand doesn’t give you any recycling options, be sure to speak to your vet first, as your dog’s diet is of the utmost importance. Then, make sure your municipality accepts your new brand of food bags.

Don’t forget that if you have pet food packaging that can be recycled, it must be cleaned before being placed in the blue bin. In the meantime, most pet food manufacturers are slowly starting to find other, more sustainable options for their packaging. Keep an eye on your favorite brand, and someday, you might be able to get your dog’s favorite food in an easily recycled bag.

See Also:

• Solutions to Ocean Pollution: What You Can Do To Help

• Iams Proactive Health vs Hill’s Science Diet

Featured Image Credit: BearFotos, Shutterstock