Healthy Pet Applies Sustainability in Action

Healthy Pet is continuing to grow and solidify its reputation as a sustainable pet company with compelling programs to reduce waste and use less energy.

FERNDALE, WA (March 17, 2018) Healthy Pet is continuing to grow and solidify its reputation as a sustainable pet company. Founded on the idea of repurposing sustainable materials over 30 years ago, they produce “Best in Class” products and develop innovative high quality solutions for a wide range of pet needs. Inspired by an introduction to the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC) in 2015, Healthy Pet began to explore new ideas to expand its sustainability even further. As part of the ongoing effort, they have leveraged the expertise of PSC and Sustainable Connections, a Bellingham, WA based nonprofit located near their headquarters, to come up with compelling programs to implement.

“Improvement to safety and sustainability is not constrained to any particular area, as continuous improvement should apply to all products and services. The Pet Sustainability Coalition has an excellent improvement toolkit at petsustainability.org/tools and provides hands-on consulting to help effect positive changes,” states Healthy Pet CEO Ted Mischaikov. “I strongly suggest all pet sector companies look into their membership services as a first step to addressing sustainability (which nearly always overlays into improved safety).”

In just over two short years, Healthy Pet has been able to accomplish amazing results in their sustainability program.

Toward Zero Waste Program (TZW)

At the core of Healthy Pet’s Zero Waste Program is the company’s determination to fully utilize all free recycling avenues: near zero waste at near zero cost. The program identified multiple waste streams that are now diverted from landfills, including compostable materials, metal recycling, broken pallets, cardboard boxes and more. With all of this material being redirected, the company is well on its way to emptying its trash dumpsters twice a year instead of twice a month.

• First year they reduced dumpster loads from 24 loads per year down to 4 (83% reduction)

• Second year they instituted an even more stringent recycling plan to reduce hauling a 30-yard garbage dumpster from 4 times a year to 2 times a year.

• Reduced hauling a 40 yard cardboard dumpster from 12 times a year to 4 times a year.

• Partnered with a Canadian supplier to divert 330 metric tons of the supplier’s material into a saleable commercial product for Healthy Pet.

Energy Efficient Lighting Program

Joint Ventured with Sustainable Connection and PSE to upgrade 100 percent of plant, warehouse, office, and external lighting with energy-efficient LED lighting, driving annual savings of over $30K.

For two consecutive years, with the third on its way, Healthy Pet has been awarded the Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA) Award for demonstrating at least three consecutive years of perfect compliance with air quality regulations and employing additional clean air practices. Out of more than 400 businesses registered with NWCAA, Healthy Pet is one of only nine to earn the Gold or Platinum award.

“We believe sustainability is an economic decision that benefits all aspects of our business,” said Ted

Mischaikov, CEO of Healthy Pet. “It also allows us to have a positive impact on the environment, improve the bottom line and align our values more closely with those of our employees.”

Building on past commitment and success, Healthy Pet, will continue its charge towards zero waste and continuous improvement across all manufacturing metrics. They return a significant portion of earnings each year back into existing and new programs that will provide long-term environmental benefits, employee safety and personal health.

As a premier member of the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), Healthy Pet supports natural pet product solutions which help to create a more eco-friendly environment and mutually beneficial relationship between pets and their families.