The Future Of The Pet Industry: Why ESG Considerations Matter

The Future Of The Pet Industry: Why ESG Considerations Matter

 

In recent years, the pet industry has seen a surge in pet owners increasingly considering their dogs as family members. With this change in attitude, pet owners are becoming more and more conscious about the products they buy for their beloved pets and the impact these products have on the environment. As a result, companies in the pet space need to take note of this trend and incorporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into their business models.

 

As a company that specializes in creating thoughtfully designed products that make life with dogs simpler and better, we've decided to take a proactive approach.

 

We understand that our customers want more than just functional dog products. They want products that come from companies that align with their values. That's why we've created poop bags made from 65% certified post-consumer recycled plastic. By using 65% certified post-consumer recycled plastic, at the volume we produce, we’re able to give a second life to more than 5 million pounds of landfill-bound plastic every year, while reducing the bag’s carbon footprint by approximately 22% as compared to our previous generation of bags. In addition to our new bags, our plant-based grooming wipes are USDA Certified 99% Biobased, hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested. They’re made with ingredients that are Leaping Bunny Cruelty-Free certified and free of alcohol and parabens. 

 

Our ESG commitments don't stop at the products we make, and they don't stop at the environmental level, either. You see, while the "Social" aspect of ESG can sometimes be harder to measure, here at Earth Rated, we take concrete actions to create a better workplace environment for our employees. We do this by offering daily catered lunches, a gym and personal trainers, and we even encourage employees to bring their dogs to work. By creating a healthy work environment, we're attracting and retaining the best talent: folks that are also committed to our mission of making life with dogs simpler and better.

 

We are big believers in giving back, always seeking out different ways to make a difference. Since 2016, we’ve donated over 14,000 Earth Rated fleece blankets to shelters and rescues across North America. We can count more than 12,000 organizations helped, 10,000 events supported, and 14,000,000 poop bags donated.

 

When we first started in 2009, we set out to encourage responsible dog ownership by creating poop bags and a dispenser that made picking up after our pets less of a chore. Today, we are a B Corp certified company, which means we consider our impact at every stakeholder level — including workers, communities, suppliers, customers, and the environment — when making decisions and setting company policies. Our approach to integrating ESG considerations into our business practices not only aligns with the values of our customers but also allows us to use our business as a force for good.

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