Every business has a role to play in shaping the world we want to live in. With climate change, resource shortages, and fragile supply chains impacting businesses globally, implementing solutions is more urgent than ever.
Here’s the truth: no single business can tackle this alone.
It takes all of us—working together, sharing knowledge, and taking action—to address some of the biggest unsolved challenges. Whether your company is large with resources and influence, or small with the nimble ability to innovate, or somewhere in between – you have a seat at the table.
This is especially true for the pet industry, where every link in the supply chain has a role to play. Whether you’re sourcing ingredients, manufacturing products, or engaging with customers, your efforts contribute to a larger movement that supports the health of pets, people, and the planet.
Everyone Has a Role
In sustainability, there’s a place for everyone. Real progress requires breaking down silos and embracing collaboration.
Company Size:
Businesses of all sizes have a role to play:
- Small Businesses: Agility and creativity allow smaller companies to pioneer innovative solutions. They can push boundaries, experiment with new ideas, and set trends that larger companies often amplify.
- Large Companies: Scale gives larger businesses the power to drive systemic change. Even minor shifts, such as improving energy efficiency or influencing suppliers, can have far-reaching impacts due to their scope and resources.
Position in the Supply Chain
From raw materials to customer engagement, every point in the supply chain contributes to sustainability.
- Ingredient & Material Suppliers: Exploring sustainable sourcing methods reduces upstream environmental impacts.
- Packaging Suppliers: Designing recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging minimizes waste and reliance on virgin materials.
- Manufacturers: Adopting cleaner production processes minimizes Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
- Retailers: Curating and promoting sustainable products influence consumer behavior and drives industry-wide demand for eco-friendly alternatives.
- Brands: Empowering consumers with sustainable options creates downstream demand for eco-friendly products.
- Logistics: Optimizing transportation routes, shifting to lower-emission vehicles, and reducing packaging weight help cut carbon footprints across distribution channels.
- Service Providers: From consultants and software developers to waste management and energy providers, businesses outside the direct pet industry play a crucial role in accelerating sustainability solutions across the industry
Every link in the supply chain contributes to the larger movement.
Phase of the Sustainability Journey
Whether a company is just starting to take first steps, adopting proven practices, or leading bold initiatives, every effort adds value. Early movers inspire others, while those joining later ensure the movement has momentum and scale.
But perfection isn’t the goal—progress is. Small, consistent actions, taken by many, add up to significant change over time.
No matter where a company is on its sustainability journey, every step adds value:
- Phase 1: Starting Small. Early efforts might include measuring greenhouse gas emissions, conducting sustainability surveys, building sustainability into your workforce, or making a public commitment. Small steps build momentum and inspire others to follow.
- Phase 2: Building a Foundation. As companies gain experience, they can formalize their sustainability strategies, adopt best practices, and begin addressing larger scale emissions through partnerships.
- Phase 3: Leading Boldly. Industry leaders set ambitious goals, implement innovative practices, and inspire systemic change by sharing knowledge and collaborating with others.
Breaking the Perfection Myth: One of the greatest misconceptions about sustainability is the belief that it requires perfection. This mindset often stops companies from taking action. But perfection isn’t the goal—progress is.
Where to Start:
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Where do I begin?” or worried that your contributions are too small to matter, you’re not alone. The truth is, no matter your starting point, there’s a place for you in sustainability. Focus on progress over perfection, and know that every effort, no matter how small, makes a difference.
When we celebrate progress instead of criticizing imperfections, we encourage more people to get involved and create meaningful change.
Bringing Everyone to the Table
At the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), we bring together businesses of all sizes and phases to tackle sustainability challenges collaboratively. We support companies through:
- Education: Sharing tools and best practices to empower businesses.
- Collaboration: Fostering partnerships to amplify impact across the supply chain.
- Accountability: Encouraging companies to set measurable goals and share their progress.
- Encouragement: Celebrating progress, inspiring confidence, and keeping momentum alive.
PSC lives its value of inclusivity by inviting any company to join as a member, so long as they pledge to authentically integrate sustainability into their business in a measurable and collaborative way. PSC members dedicated to sustainable practices and industry-leading standards are encouraged to participate in our Accreditation program, which recognizes organizations prioritizing sustainability.
By bringing all of these players to the same table, PSC enables everyone to play a meaningful role in creating systemic change. We believe that only together, we can build a thriving pet industry that benefits pets, people, and the planet.
The question isn’t whether you can make a difference—it’s whether you’re ready to take the first step.
So, what are you waiting for? If you are ready to start your sustainability journey and advance your business, meet with our team today.