PetSmarts across New Jersey have launched an initiative aimed at benefiting both the environment and pet owners through a collaboration with TerraCycle. This partnership allows all New Jersey PetSmart locations to participate in a statewide packaging recycling program, available at no cost to participants. Currently, Arizona is the only other state involved, with a combined total of 100 stores participating in this endeavor, and there are plans to expand the program to more states in the future. The Pet Sustainability Coalition has highlighted significant issues within the U.S. pet industry, noting that food and treat packaging alone contributes to 300 million pounds of waste annually.

Through their collaboration with TerraCycle, PetSmart aims to make sustainability more accessible for pet owners. Joanne Dwyer, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Communications, emphasized that the initiative allows pet owners to take minor, sustainable actions, which are focused on recycling products frequently purchased by consumers. By providing designated bins in-store for all litter, food, and treat brands, PetSmart ensures the packaging need not be cleaned before being dropped off, simplifying the recycling process for customers.

Once collected, TerraCycle utilizes its expertise to 'recycle the unrecyclable,' transforming waste into raw materials that can be reused, thereby preventing packaging from ending up in landfills. This innovative approach not only helps decrease environmental impact but also aligns with consumer demand for more sustainable practices within the pet care industry.

The partnership marks an important step towards addressing the growing concerns around packaging waste in the pet sector and provides a model for responsible business practices. Meanwhile, initiatives like these contribute to making New Jersey a leader in environmental sustainability, particularly in industries that have traditionally posed challenges for recycling and waste management.