Categories: Recycle

Where to Recycle Dog Food bags in Philadelphia

For those pet owners, buying the best for your pet can generate a lot of waste. I know my buddy cat Pounce DeLeon requires quite a few cans and bags/boxes to be recycled to maintain his health.

Where to recycle dog food bags?

The problem with many dog food bags is that they’re not recyclable, even though they may look it.

As Philadelphia’s Recycling Director Phil Bresee explains,

The problem with them is that they have multiple layers of paper and plastic, which can’t be separated during recycling process.

Therefore, it’s difficult to find places that recycle them.

One brand, Open Farm, is partnering with TerraCycle to close the gap. You can collect the Open Farm Pet Food packaging, download a UPS label from Terracycle’s website and ship them off to be recycled. Although TerraCycle’s newest partner, Open Farm, is launching the first Ethically Raised and Sourced dog food, they’re apparently the ONLY brand they’ll take for this brigade.

If you’re looking for alternate dog food brands, buy brands that specifically come in paper bags or cans, which can both go in Philadelphia Single-Stream recycling bins, curbside.

Julie Hancher

Julie Hancher is the co-founder and Executive Director of Green Philly, an independent media organization making sustainability accessible, affordable and actionable. Since launching Green Philly in 2008, she has grown it from a passion project into a leading voice for local climate storytelling, pairing impactful journalism with community events and experiences. Julie is a frequent speaker on climate, media innovation and the future of local journalism, and is the creator of SustainPHL and EcoFair. Outside of Green Philly, you can find her hiking, biking, traveling, or exploring Philadelphia.

Recent Posts

Enviro jobs & grants, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Parks and Rec expands environmental stewardship program. Philadelphia…

1 week ago

Meet 6 people making Philly greener, one neighborhood at a time.

(and they're all SustainPHL nominees!) From storm drains in Germantown to community gardens in Kensington,…

1 week ago

Vacant lot greening, A challenge to the school board, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Teens turn vacant lot into green space. Since…

2 weeks ago

The Philly Passive House: What does a home without fossil fuels look like?

Inside a Francisville Passive House project, Green Philly attendees saw how airtight construction, insulation, efficient…

2 weeks ago

New trash bill, utility assistance, National Estuaries Week, & more

Catch up on the latest sustainability news: Council considers new bill for waste disposal contract.…

3 weeks ago

Announcing the SustainPHL 2026 Nominees

Meet the local leaders, organizations and changemakers shaping a more sustainable Philadelphia. Philadelphia has welcomed…

3 weeks ago