Sustainability was a core promise from the very beginning when we founded BugBell. It was clear to us: It's not enough to simply sell a "green" product – we wanted to develop a truly sustainable dog food with a holistically thought-out concept. This includes not only the recipe with insect protein as a climate-friendly alternative, but also sustainable dog food packaging that conserves resources and is as recyclable as possible.
Table of Contents
- Why sustainable dog food is more than just insect protein
- The problem with dog food packaging and recycling rates
- How BugBell implements recyclable dog food packaging
- What do recyclable, biodegradable and compostable mean?
- PLA layers and mono-PE: Materials at a glance
- Discussion: Plastic packaging in the dog food industry
- Questions about sustainable dog food packaging? How to reach us
- Scientific and technical sources on packaging and sustainability
Why sustainable dog food is more than just insect protein
Our approach at BugBell was clear from the start: We wanted an environmentally friendly dog food that is good for both your dog and the climate. By using a sustainable protein alternative like the larvae of Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) instead of conventional meat, we can produce insect protein dog food that uses a fraction of the usual CO₂ emissions.
But it quickly became clear to us: Sustainable dog food doesn't end at the bowl. Packaging, logistics, advertising materials – the entire business model must be as resource-efficient as possible. That's exactly why we have intensively dealt with the topic of recyclable dog food packaging.
The problem with dog food packaging and recycling rates
Pet food packaging – similar to food packaging – has to meet extremely high demands. Dog food packaging must:
- be tear-resistant and durable
- protect the product from moisture, light, and oxygen
- be temperature-stable, withstand transport and storage
- and remain as safe as possible for animals and humans
These high requirements often conflict with recyclability. Many common plastic solutions work excellently technically – but are hardly or not at all recyclable.
Data on dog food packaging:
According to the non-profit sustainability organization WRAP, approximately 75,000 tons of primary dog food packaging are used annually in the UK, containing over one million tons of wet and dry cat and dog food.
It is believed that only one in 20,000 single-use food pouches – including dog food pouches – is recycled. That's an enormous amount of waste ending up in landfills.
While the recycling situation for Dry dog food packaging is somewhat better, wet dog food pouches pose a particular challenge. The recycling rate of such pouches is shockingly low – WRAP estimates it to be 50 times lower than that of individual coffee cups.
How BugBell implements recyclable dog food packaging
At BugBell, we set ourselves the goal that all our packaging should be as environmentally friendly as possible. We always choose the material suitable for the intended use – from paper solutions to plastic solutions that are both functional and recyclable.
In some cases, individual packaging components must be disposed of in different bins – but our goal is for all components to be 100% recyclable on their own: from the label to the seal to the outer carton.
Kraft paper cups with PLA coating
Our cups are made of kraft paper with a recyclable PLA bio-coating. This means:
- they are made of biodegradable material
- they can be disposed of in the organic waste bin or paper waste according to EN 13432 (depending on regional regulations)
- they offer good product protection without resorting to petroleum-based composite materials
However, the PLA coating is only stable up to approx. 70 °C. This means: We cannot pasteurize the cups – which we don't need to do for our products like the terrine. Our sealing also consists of a biodegradable PLA film. The label and adhesive are also compostable.
Large containers made of mono-PE
Our large containers are made of mono-PE material. Although they are not disposed of in organic or paper waste, they represent a very sustainable packaging solution because they are 100% recyclable in the yellow bin.
Through mono-PE, we can:
- ensure high tear resistance for larger fill quantities
- ensure grease impermeability – important for fatty recipes
- at the same time, avoid difficult-to-recycle composite packaging
In addition, we pay attention to sustainable details in all areas: from cardboard tape to sample goods to advertising materials. Wherever possible, we rely on recycled or recyclable solutions.
What do recyclable, biodegradable and compostable mean?
An important goal of product-related environmental legislation is to motivate manufacturers to consider the environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle, including disposal, already during product design.
Terms like recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable are often confused. It is important to know the differences: Not everything that is recyclable is automatically compostable.
Biodegradable – degradation through biological activity
A substance is considered biodegradable if it can be broken down by biological activity – such as by microorganisms or enzymes. Ideally, only the following should remain:
- Water
- Carbon dioxide
- Biomass
Important: Even if materials are labeled as biodegradable, this does not mean that they decompose as well in home compost as in an industrial facility. Many plastics require constant temperatures above 60 °C for this – conditions rarely reached in garden compost.
Compostable packaging – not the same as biodegradable
Compostable plastics can indeed be decomposed into compost by microorganisms. At the same time, all compostable plastics are biodegradable – but not every biodegradable substance is automatically "compostable" in the legal sense.
In short:
- compostable = biodegradable and meets standard (e.g., EN 13432)
- biodegradable = decomposes under certain conditions, but not necessarily in home compost
Our PLA layers and composting conditions
Our PLA layers are biodegradable and meet the criteria for compostable materials in industrial facilities. A distinction is generally made between two composting scenarios:
Industrial composting plant
At approximately 60 °C, up to 90% of the material is decomposed within 12 weeks. This means: After 12 weeks, no more than 10% residues (based on the original mass) may remain in a 2 mm sieve.
Garden compost
In home compost, different conditions apply:
- Temperatures usually around 30 °C
- complete decomposition can take up to 12 months
In summary:
- up to 12 months in home compost
- around 12 weeks in the industrial composting plant
Discussion: Plastic packaging in the dog food industry
Plastic packaging is rightly a much-discussed topic. In recent years, the sensitivity of consumers has noticeably increased. In addition to material savings, recyclability plays a central role.
The EU Plastics Strategy states that by 2030, 100% of plastic packaging should be reusable, recyclable, or compostable. Many companies – from raw material producers to brand manufacturers – have committed to supporting this goal.
The reality: Composite packaging, which consists of multiple layers or materials, is currently difficult to recycle. Effective recycling currently usually only works with pure mono-materials that can be fed into the corresponding recycling streams.
Currently established solutions:
- Mono-material based on PP (polypropylene)
- Mono-material solution based on PE (polyethylene)
We deliberately use mono-PE for our large containers because it offers a good balance of product protection and recyclability.
Questions about sustainable dog food packaging? Here's how to reach us
Transparency is important to us. If you have any Questions about our recyclable dog food packaging, our PLA layers, mono-PE, or our concept of sustainable dog food in general, please contact us at any time:
Email: kontakt@bugbell.de
We welcome exchange, criticism, and Questions – together, we can make pet food more sustainable step by step.
Scientific and technical sources on packaging and sustainability
- WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme): Reports on plastic packaging and recycling rates in the pet food sector.
- European Commission: "A European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy" (EU Plastics Strategy).
- DIN EN 13432: Requirements for packaging recoverable through composting and biodegradation.
- CEFLEX and RecyClass: Guidelines for the design of recyclable plastic packaging.
