No, not all cat food pouches are recyclable. The recyclability of cat food pouches depends on the material they are made from.
Types of Cat Food Pouches and Their Recyclability
Not all cat food pouches are recyclable. The recyclability depends on the type of material the pouch is made from.
Foil Food Pouches Cannot Be Recycled
Foil pouches, which have an interior plastic lining fused to the foil exterior cannot be recycled. The plastic liner prevents the foil from being separated and recovered during the recycling process. So foil cat food pouches have to go in the trash.
Plastic Pouches May Be Recyclable
Some cat food pouches are made entirely from plastic, with no foil lining. These plastic pouches are technically recyclable but can be challenging to actually recycle because many curbside recycling programs do not accept “soft” plastics.
You would need to check with your local recycling program to see if they accept soft plastic pouches. If not, your only option may be specialty recycling programs.
Recycling Options for Cat Food Pouches
While curbside recycling of cat food pouches is limited, there are some special programs that accept cat food pouches for recycling.
Terra Cycle’s Recycling Program
Terracycle offers a free recycling program for pet food packaging, including flexible pouches. They partner with pet food brands to offer collection points where pet owners can ship pouches and packaging directly to TerraCycle for recycling.
Local Collection Points
Some privately-run local recycling centers and stores accept clean, dry pet food pouches for recycling. Check with collection points in your area to see if they will take pet food packaging. This provides another option outside of Terracycle.
Environmental Impact of Non-Recyclable Pouches
When cat food pouches that are not recyclable end up in landfills, this contributes to the growing plastic pollution problem.
Contribute to Landfill Waste
Billions of pouches end up in landfills each year, taking up space and taking centuries to decompose. Recycling more pouches could divert waste from landfills.
Potential Harm to Wildlife
Plastics that end up as litter can make their way into waterways and oceans. Marine animals and birds can become entangled in plastic pouches or mistake them for food, often resulting in injury or death.
Alternatives to Non-Recyclable Pouches
To reduce waste from non-recyclable pouches, consider sustainable alternatives when possible.
Purchase Cat Food in Cans or Glass
Look for cat food packaged in recyclable cans, glass jars, or paperboard. While cans come with their own environmental issues, they are more widely accepted by recycling programs.
Explore Homemade or Raw Food
Making your own cat food or feeding raw food eliminates packaging waste. However, it takes research to create balanced homemade cat food diets. Only do this under vet supervision.
In summary, not all cat food pouches can be easily recycled. Check your local programs or use specialty recyclers like Terracycle if you want to recycle flexible plastic or foil pouches. Or consider more eco-friendly packaging when shopping for cat food.
