At Steve’s Real Food, sustainability is one of the pillars behind everything we create, from the ingredients we choose to the packaging that protects them. When it came to designing our packaging, we wanted something that was durable, food-safe, and eco-friendly. That’s why our bags are made from #4-rated plastic, a material that offers strong protection for raw food while supporting responsible waste reduction.
How to Properly Recycle Our Bags
Steve’s Real Food 5lb frozen bags, 20oz freeze-dried bags, and Quest Cat Food 2lb frozen bags and 10oz freeze-dried bags are all made from #4 recyclable plastic. It’s simple to recycle our bags, but make sure you do it correctly!
Use store drop-off bins to recycle your Steve’s Real Food and Quest Cat Food bags.
Most grocery stores and many major retailers (like Target) have designated drop-off bins for flexible plastics. These bins typically accept #4 plastic. As long as the material is clean and dry, it can be added to these collection bins. You can also check with your local pet store to see if they have an in-store recycling program!
Always check your local recycling guidelines, as they vary, and your local waste management site will list exactly which materials they accept. Some curbside programs allow #4 plastic, especially in areas with advanced sorting equipment.
Why Can’t I Recycle the Bags Curbside?
While it is recyclable, #4 plastic follows a different recycling pathway than rigid plastics like milk jugs or water bottles. Because #4 plastic is soft and flexible, it requires specialized equipment that not all facilities use, which is why it is often collected through store drop-off programs.
Some communities now accept #4 plastic curbside, but store drop-off remains the most common and reliable option nationwide.
Why Do You Use #4 Plastic?
You probably interact with #4 plastic bags every day without realizing it. This material is known for being flexible, lightweight, and incredibly durable. It’s used in products like grocery and retail bags, bread bags, and condiment squeeze bottles. Its benefits make it a smart choice for raw pet food packaging:
- Flexible enough to bend and stretch without cracking
- Durable under pressure, drops, or transport
- Moisture-resistant, protecting against freezer burn
- Chemically resistant, helping maintain food quality
- Lightweight, reducing transportation emissions
- Affordable to produce without sacrificing safety
Safety is a significant advantage when storing food. #4 plastic does not contain BPA or phthalates and is widely considered one of the safer plastics for food contact.
How to Recycle Our Boxes
Our 9.75lb frozen nuggets and 14lb/20lb frozen patties are packaged in corrugated boxes that can be placed directly in your curbside recycling bin.
To further reduce environmental impact, these boxes are printed using vegetable-based inks that pose no risk of contaminating soil or groundwater.
Our Sustainable Packaging Choices
Every component of our packaging is intentionally selected to support product integrity and environmental responsibility.
Our bags are created from #4 plastic, which is a flexible, durable material commonly found in grocery bags, bread bags, dry cleaning covers, and food storage bags. It’s lightweight yet strong, creates an excellent moisture barrier, and performs reliably in freezer conditions. Most importantly, it can be recycled through widely available store drop-off programs and, in some areas, through curbside pickup.
The plant that creates our packaging runs entirely on solar power, reducing carbon emissions and lowering the environmental impact of every bag we produce.
We’re proud to be the first raw pet food company in our industry to earn Interseroh accreditation for our packaging sustainability. This certification evaluates recyclability and confirms that our material has a clear afterlife in the recycling stream.
Learn more about all our sustainability practices.
Recycle Your Steve’s Real Food Packaging Today
Recycling plays a powerful role in keeping materials out of landfills and giving them a second life. Our packaging is designed with this in mind—from the use of #4 plastic to solar-powered production facilities to curbside-recyclable boxes. By following your local recycling guidelines or using store drop-off programs, you can easily recycle our packaging and help reduce environmental waste. Together, these small steps make a big impact.
