PSP Group's businesses Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash have entered into a partnership with sustainability solutions provider TerraCycle for a new in-store recycling programme.

Claiming to be the first pet retailers in the US to work with TerraCycle, both companies have launched dedicated recycling stations at their respective participating stores across the country.

Pet Supplies Plus and Wag N' Wash CEO Chris Rowland said: “The partnership with TerraCycle is a natural progression as our brands continue to meet the needs of our neighbours and do our part to reduce waste.”

The new in-store recycling programme facilitates a convenient and free way for residents in the community to provide a second life for any brand of pet food packaging.

Participants can place their empty flexible plastic pet food and treat bags into a designated collection bin at their nearby Pet Supplies Plus or Wag N' Wash stores.

All gathered waste will undergo processing at TerraCycle, where it will be cleaned, sorted by material type, and finally transformed into reusable materials.

TerraCycle CEO and founder Tom Szaky said: “With the launch of this sustainable initiative, pet parents can help reduce the impact of plastic packaging waste in their own communities by responsibly recycling empty pet food and treat bags.

“This innovative collaboration between Pet Supplies Plus, Wag N' Wash and TerraCycle helps pave the way for a greener future with pets, people and the planet in mind.”

It is claimed that most pet food packaging consists of materials that are not easily recyclable, leading to 99% of such packaging ending up in landfills or oceans.

The US pet food industry is estimated to generate approximately 300 million pounds of plastic waste annually.