BOULDER, COLO. — The Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) launched its official Packaging Supplier Marketplace to help pet industry companies find sustainable packaging solutions, in an effort to help the industry with its sustainability efforts.

According to the PSC, more than 300 million lbs of flexible plastic packaging is created in North America by the pet industry annually, impacting about 67% of pet-owning households throughout the United States. Additionally, 99% of multi-laminate packaging used for pet foods and treats throughout North America do not offer sustainable end-of-life solutions, contributing heavily to what has been called the “plastic pollution crisis.” To help the PSC further the pet industry’s efforts toward more sustainable packaging, the association has introduced its Packaging Supplier Marketplace.

Through the Packaging Supplier Marketplace, signatories of the PSC’s Packaging Pledge can search, filter and evaluate pre-vetted sustainable packaging suppliers. The marketplace serves as a directory, filled with packaging suppliers that offer recyclable, refillable or compostable solutions, enabling processors to find the perfect supplier for their needs, as well as allowing packaging suppliers to highlight their offerings to the industry. The marketplace is currently only available to companies that have committed to the PSC Packaging Pledge.

Currently, pre-vetted packaging suppliers in the directory include:

  • Ahlstrom
  • American Packaging Corporation
  • Layfield Group
  • Morris Packaging
  • Partners Packaging
  • Peel Plastics
  • PetPak
  • PPC Flexible Packaging
  • Printpack
  • Takigawa Corporation
  • TC Transcontinental Packaging
  • Tempo Flexible Packaging
  • Thanh Phu Plastic Packaging
  • Tyler Packaging

To be included in the Packaging Supplier Marketplace, packaging suppliers can complete a supplier application, which is then vetted and approved by the PSC. The application collects information about a company’s participation in sustainability initiatives, like How2Recycle, as well as their packaging solutions and specs regarding product testing.

Additionally, the application includes at $1,299 fee, with discounts offered based on a company’s participation with the PSC. For example, member companies will receive a 40% discount on the fee.

Apply to be included in the Packaging Supplier Marketplace here.

More on PSC’s Packaging Supplier Marketplace.

Read more about packaging solutions and trends for pet food and treats.