Pet & Livestock Food

Pet and Livestock Food | Credit: Jay Wennington on Unsplash

Includes grain and hay grown for livestock/ animal feed and bedding; feed; supplements and medicine; treats and chews that are typically ingested; pet food

Company

Required:

  • Business core purpose includes a “green” business function.
  • Social and environmental mission and vision statement for your business on website.

Preferred:

  • Banking with a community development, minority, or socially & environmentally responsible bank or credit union.
  • Protocols in place (e.g., trainings, HR policies, support group(s), statement of commitment, accountability mechanisms, etc.) that advance justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) within the company.

Ingredients for Pet & Livestock Food

Required:

  • At least half of ingredients are from one of these categories:
    • USDA Organic
    • Local (grown within 100 miles of production/ processing/ packaging site)
    • Fair trade certified
    • Non-GMO Project Verified if company can demonstrate transition towards sustainable agriculture and elimination of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
  • All of your ingredients are non-GMO
  • Transparent supply chain, including the following:
    • An accurate and complete ingredient list where products are sold online.
    • Each product must have its own ingredient list unless the only difference between products is package size.
    • Ethical treatment of animals from which food is made

Preferred:

  • 100% of ingredients are from one of these categories:
    • USDA Organic
    • Local (grown within 100 miles of production/processing/packaging site)
    • Fair trade certified
    • Non-GMO Project Verified if company can demonstrate transition towards sustainable agriculture and elimination of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers

Manufacturing

Required:

  • Code of conduct in place that addresses social and environmental farm and/or factory conditions with enforcement mechanism.
  • Farm, processing (including slaughter house) labor on owned and contracted facilities pay a wage that ensures workers well-being.
  • Workers (including slaughter house) have access to appropriate PPE.
  • Owned farms and/or factories having a worker representation mechanism in place.
  • Long-term contracts with contracted farms.

Preferred:

  • Source from Fair Trade of Fair Food farms.
  • Owned and/or contracted farms are certified fair labor or fair trade.
  • Owned/contracted farms are union.
  • Disclosed supplier list publicly available.
  • Workers are paid a living wage.

Packaging

Required:

  • Environmentally and socially positive packaging.
  • Packaging is recyclable or compostable.
  • Packaging components are from recycled sources and used at minimum.

Preferred:

  • Packaging can be taken back for reuse.

Transportation

Required:

  • Program in place to reduce emissions from company vehicles.
  • Works with distributors that take steps to reduce emissions from vehicles and shipping.

Preferred:

  • Company is an EPA SmartWay partner or affiliate.
  • Company Works with distributors who are EPA SmartWay partners or affiliates.

Labor (Direct Employees)

Required:

  • Employees have access to family friendly benefits including high-quality health insurance, sick days, paid parental leave and childcare help.
  • Offer a flexible workplace culture that encourages work/life balance and makes reasonable accommodations for telecommuting and flex schedules.
  • Pays employees and contractor a wage that ensures workers well-being.
  • Has an established program that invests in employee growth and development.
  • Has an established non-discrimination policy and procedure, and ensures an inclusive workplace culture.
  • Governs fairly and in a transparent manner. Is open to employee input. Has a whistle blower protection policy in place.

Preferred:

  • Pays employees a living wage.

Education

Required:

  • Use transparent and truthful marketing.
  • Advocate for green business practices in the pet & livestock food industry.
  • Established program for receiving input from both internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred:

  • Actively seeks feedback from industry peers and participates in industry associations and mentor programs

Green Office Facility

  • HVAC system well-maintained, building well-insulated, and smart and efficient climate control employed.
  • System in place for reducing electricity consumption from lighting and electronics.
  • Use of Energy Star rated appliances and CFL/LED light bulbs in office.
  • Use of 100% post-consumer recycled, Chlorine Free paper in the office and in all envelopes, marketing, and print materials.
  • Systems in place for reducing paper use such as electronic processes, printers set with double sided printing as the default, and more.
  • Use of only non-toxic cleaning and pest control products.
  • Maximum amount of waste is reused or recycled including paper, plastic, metals, glass, electronics, and printer ink cartridges.
  • Action on clean energy such as purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) or use of on-site clean energy.
  • Compost all food waste.
  • Landscaping done with sustainability in mind, especially considering runoff and stormwater management.
  • Only fair trade and USDA certified organic coffee and tea served in the office.
  • Use of green or local caterers for events.
  • Use of a certified E-Steward for electronics recycling.
  • Proper disposal of hazardous materials (e.g., batteries, paint, motor oil, etc).
  • Knowledge of recycling/composting guidelines at your local recycling/composting facility.