VetCycle, a national recycling program designed by TerraCycle, provides disposal of personal protective equipment (PPE), plastic food packaging, and pet products waste items commonly found in veterinary practices, animal shelters, and labs. This offering recycles pet products, such as leashes, muzzles, and brushes, as well as general cleaning supplies, among others.
“A busy day at a vet clinic or shelter results in a tremendous amount of waste,” says Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle. “Most pet products aren’t recyclable municipally, so we developed the VetCycle solution to recycle the waste that would have been destined for the landfill.”
To address this concern, VetCycle utilizes the Zero Waste Box program to recycle the most common waste streams found in veterinary settings, including:
- Pet food packaging
- Pet products
- Plastic packaging
- Disposable gloves
- Disposable masks
- Safety equipment and protective gear
- Cleaning supplies and accessories
- Synthetic disinfectant wipes
Veterinary staff order boxes that suit their needs which are shipped directly to their locations. The boxes are placed in designated high-traffic areas throughout the office to easily collect the various categories of waste. Once full, the veterinary staff sends their box to TerraCycle via the pre-affixed UPS shipping label; the waste is then recycled by TerraCycle.
To learn more about the program, click here.