Current Status

The pet food industry is a major contributor to environmental degradation, accounting for approximately 25% of the world’s meat consumption. In the United States alone, the pet food industry generates over 6 million tons of food waste annually.

Portland, Oregon is a city with a strong commitment to sustainability, and its pet food industry is no exception. In 2020, the city adopted a goal of reducing pet food waste by 50% by 2025.

Challenges

Reducing pet food waste is a complex challenge, and there are a number of barriers that need to be overcome.

• Lack of awareness: Many pet owners are unaware of the environmental impact of pet food waste, and they do not always take steps to reduce it.
• Convenience: Pet food waste is often generated out of convenience, such as when pet owners buy food in bulk or when they give their pets food that they do not eat.
• Cost: Reducing pet food waste can be expensive, especially for low-income pet owners.

Strategies

Despite the challenges, there are a number of strategies that can be used to reduce pet food waste.

• Education: Educating pet owners about the environmental impact of pet food waste is essential to changing behavior.
• Innovation: Developing new pet food products that are less wasteful is another key strategy.
• Incentives: Providing incentives for pet owners to reduce waste, such as discounts on pet food or pet care services, can help to motivate change.

Progress

Portland is making progress towards its goal of reducing pet food waste by 50% by 2025. The city has launched a number of initiatives to address this issue, including:

• Pet food waste audit: The city conducted a pet food waste audit in 2020 to assess the extent of the problem and to identify opportunities for reduction.
• Pet food waste reduction campaign: The city launched a public awareness campaign in 2021 to educate pet owners about the environmental impact of pet food waste and to provide tips for reducing it.
• Pet food waste reduction grant program: The city offers grants to businesses and organizations that are working to reduce pet food waste.

Future Goals

Portland is committed to continuing to reduce pet food waste in the years to come. The city’s 2025 goal is to reduce pet food waste by 50%, and the city is on track to meet this goal.

In addition to the strategies listed above, Portland is also exploring new ways to reduce pet food waste, such as:

• Developing a pet food waste composting program: Composting pet food waste is a great way to reduce its environmental impact, and Portland is exploring the feasibility of developing a citywide composting program.
• Working with pet food manufacturers to reduce packaging waste: Pet food packaging is a major source of waste, and Portland is working with pet food manufacturers to reduce the amount of packaging used.
• Educating veterinarians about pet food waste: Veterinarians can play a key role in educating pet owners about the environmental impact