- 1Empty all remaining food into sealed containers or trash
- 2Rinse containers thoroughly to remove food residue and oils
- 3Remove paper labels if easily detachable (optional for most programs)
- 4Dry containers completely to prevent odor and contamination
- 5For metal cans, remove plastic lids and recycle separately
- 6Flatten cardboard boxes to save space in recycling bin
- 7Check for recycling symbols - #2 HDPE and #5 PP are widely accepted
- 8For foil bags (many dry foods), check for TerraCycle drop-off locations
- Curbside recycling (plastic containers #2, #5 and metal cans)
- PetSmart TerraCycle bins (select locations)
- Petco recycling stations
- Pet food brand mail-back programs (Purina, Blue Buffalo)
- Local pet supply stores with take-back programs
- Scrap metal recyclers (bulk metal cans)
Pet food bags with foil lining cannot go in curbside recycling but many brands (Purina, Blue Buffalo, Wellness) offer free TerraCycle mail-back programs. Save multiple bags and ship together to reduce shipping costs.
The pet food packaging industry generates 600,000 tons of waste annually. Recycling HDPE containers saves 1.8 kg CO2 per container. Metal cans have infinite recyclability - recycled aluminum saves 95% energy vs. new production. Proper recycling diverts an estimated 180,000 tons from landfills yearly.
Accepted
- Plastic pet food containers (#2 HDPE, #5 PP)
- Steel and aluminum pet food cans
- Glass jar pet food containers
- Cardboard pet food boxes
- Treat containers and supplement bottles
Not Accepted
- Foil-lined pet food bags (curbside - use TerraCycle instead)
- Containers with significant food contamination
- Mixed-material pouches without TerraCycle access
- Containers marked #3, #6, or #7 (check local rules)
Estimated value: $0.05-0.15/lb for aluminum cans at scrap yards
Can I recycle the foil pet food bags in my curbside bin?
No, foil-lined bags cannot go in curbside recycling because they're multi-layer materials (plastic + aluminum) that recycling equipment cannot separate. Instead, use TerraCycle programs offered by brands like Purina, Blue Buffalo, Wellness, and Rachael Ray Nutrish. Collect bags at home and ship them for free recycling once you have 10-20 bags.
Do I need to remove the labels from pet food cans and containers?
No! Modern recycling facilities can handle labels. The heat during the melting process burns off paper labels, and plastic labels are separated during the sorting process. Focus on cleaning out food residue instead - contamination is a bigger issue than labels.
What should I do with half-full expired pet food containers?
Donate unopened, unexpired food to local animal shelters - they always need supplies. For expired food, check if the food itself is compostable (grain-based dry food can often be composted in municipal programs; meat-based cannot). Once empty, recycle the container. Never recycle containers with significant food inside.
Are pet food containers recyclable even if they held prescription food?
Yes! Prescription pet food containers are the same materials as regular food containers (#2 HDPE, #5 PP, steel/aluminum). Once emptied and cleaned, recycle them normally. The 'prescription' aspect refers to the food formula, not the packaging material.
Can I recycle pet treat containers and supplement bottles?
Absolutely. Plastic treat containers (#2 HDPE, #5 PP) and supplement bottles (usually HDPE) are recyclable in curbside programs. Remove pills/treats, rinse out powder residue, and recycle with other plastics. Glass supplement jars are recyclable with other glass containers.