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Pet Food Packaging Evolves: Transparency Gains, Recycling Challenges Loom

Seeing what's inside your pet's treats is in, but recycling these packages is out. As consumers demand greener packaging, the industry must innovate.

In this image we can see a plastic bag. There are few labels on the plastic bag. There is some food...
In this image we can see a plastic bag. There are few labels on the plastic bag. There is some food in the image. There is a table in the image.

Pet Food Packaging Evolves: Transparency Gains, Recycling Challenges Loom

The pet food packaging industry is evolving, with trends like transparent windows in treat packaging gaining traction. However, only a small fraction of pet owners prioritise this feature. Meanwhile, plastic is poised to surpass paper in dry pet food packaging by value in the next few years.

The global pet product packaging market was valued at $3.6 billion in 2017, with paper bags for dry kibble leading the market. Wet pet food packaging, predominantly cans, accounted for 28 percent of this market. In the dry pet food sector, bags dominated with 80 percent of sales.

Transparent windows in packaging, particularly for pet treats, are a growing trend. However, only 14 percent of pet owners consider this feature important. Despite this, many paper bags with clear plastic windows are difficult to recycle, posing environmental challenges. Transparency in packaging can hinder recycling efforts, with no companies currently offering pet-free, transparent, recyclable, and water-permeable packaging tailored to eco-conscious consumers.

Consumer demand for recyclable pet food containers is on the rise, with 61 percent of U.S. adults always recycling food and beverage containers in 2017. This increasing awareness may drive innovation in pet food packaging towards more sustainable options.

The pet food packaging market is diverse, with paper and plastic both playing significant roles. While trends like transparent windows emerge, so does the need for more eco-friendly solutions. As consumer demand for recyclable packaging grows, the industry may shift towards more sustainable options in the future.

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