Are you wondering what to do with an empty dog food bag? I also wondered whether I could recycle dog food bags by brands such as Purina, IAMs, Pedigree, Royal Canin, and others. In this article, I’ll explain in detail if dog food bags are recyclable.
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What is dog food bags made of?
Pet food bags are often made of paper and plastic layers that have been sealed together, thus they should not be recycled. If the layers can be separated, do so. The majority of the bag is made of polyethylene, which is a type of plastic.
Can you recycle dog food bags?
No, you cannot recycle dog food bags. I called around to different recycling plants and they all said the same thing – dog food bags are not recyclable. The plant operators told me that the bags get caught in the machines and cause damage.
So what can you do with an empty dog food bag?
Here are some ideas:
– Use it as a liner for your pet’s food bowl
– Put it in the compost bin
– Use it as a trash bag
– Repurpose it into a different bag (i.e. a purse or a tote bag)
Are Purina Dog Food Bags Recyclable?
No, you cannot recycle Purina Dog Food Bags. I called the Purina company and they said that their bags are not recyclable. On their website, they have indicated that they intend to have all their bags recyclable by 2025. Read more about this here.
Some Purina products that use polypropylene bags include Alpo® dry dog food (except the 4 lb. bag), Purina® Beneful® dry dog food (31, 34, 37, and 42 lb. bags), Friskies® dry cat food (16, 17, 18, and 22 lb. bags), and Purina ONE® SMARTBLEND® for cats (16 and 22 lb. bags). Additionally, Tidy Cats® 24/7 (30 and 50 lb. tubs) and many other litter products are packaged in polypropylene.
Benefits of using Polypropylene bags
Polypropylene is a type of plastic that is lightweight yet strong. It is durable and resists tearing. Polypropylene bags are also moisture-resistant, which helps keep food fresh.
What about IAMS Dog Food Bags?
The IAMS company also says that their dog food bags are not recyclable.
What about Pedigree Dog Food Bags?
Pedigree has the same answer – their dog food bags are not recyclable.
What about Royal Canin Dog Food Bags?
Royal Canin also stated that their dog food bags are not recyclable.
As you can see, none of the major dog food brands have recyclable bags.
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Hi there! My name is Ben Domb, an owner of two pets and I am one of the co-founders of OurPets HQ. I have several years of experience as a pet care professional in the New England region having spent time in various roles including a stint at a veterinary hospital in Upstate New York, Syracuse area. I am a certified pet care professional and mostly spend my time researching pet nutrition and sharing my thoughts in various blogs and columns. With quarantine and COVID restrictions, I have been spending a lot of time a lot with my dogs and cat and loving it! I also run a small consulting business providing advice to parents on pet nutrition, and especially safe homemade options to try. You can reach me at ben@ourpetshq.com
