Pet Retailers Pioneering Sustainability: A Global Overview
In an era where environmental consciousness is paramount, the pet industry is actively embracing sustainability. Major pet retailers across Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Brazil are implementing diverse strategies to reduce their ecological footprints. These efforts range from minimizing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency to adopting innovative waste management and circular economy models, demonstrating a global commitment to responsible business practices within the pet care sector.
Global Pet Retailers Advance Environmental Initiatives
The global pet retail landscape is witnessing a significant shift towards more environmentally sound operations, with prominent companies in Belgium, the UK, and Brazil leading the charge. These organizations are proactively addressing their environmental impact by targeting key areas such as carbon emissions, energy consumption, and waste generation.
Belgian pet retailer Tom&Co recently unveiled its inaugural sustainability report on October 24, 2025. The company reported a substantial 111,533.9 tons of CO₂ emissions in 2023, underscoring the urgent need for action. In response, Tom&Co has committed to transitioning its entire vehicle fleet to electric by 2029. The retailer identified its operational energy use, particularly in older stores, along with its digital footprint and logistics, as primary contributors to its negative environmental impact. With 256 MWh for heating and 2,112 MWh for electricity consumed in its integrated stores, the focus on energy efficiency is clear. Furthermore, Tom&Co acknowledged the significant greenhouse gas emissions stemming from intensive agriculture, forestry, and fishing within its supply chain. To counteract these challenges, the company plans to implement emission reduction strategies starting in 2025, which include optimizing logistics, reducing travel, deploying electric vehicles, and upgrading store infrastructure, including equipping all locations with energy measurement systems and LED lighting by 2026.
Across the Channel, British pet care giant Pets at Home demonstrated remarkable progress in its financial year 2024-2025, achieving a 44% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions compared to 2016 levels. The company's commitment to sustainable transport is evident, with 88% of company car mileage covered by lower-carbon vehicles (electric or hybrid). Its new distribution center operates without natural gas for heating and is equipped with solar panels. Even standalone veterinary practices saw an 8% reduction in natural gas emissions from FY2024. Pets at Home also excelled in waste management, diverting 99.5% of operational waste from landfills. Innovation in packaging, such as using 100% cardboard hooks for collars and incorporating recycled plastic into harness packaging, resulted in a 2.75-tonne annual reduction in plastic use.
Meanwhile, in Brazil, Petz, the nation's largest pet retailer, presented a mixed but forward-looking environmental performance. While direct emissions (Scope 1) decreased from 1,414.81 to 973.44 tCO₂e between 2023 and 2024, total emissions saw an increase, primarily due to Scope 3 emissions from third-party logistics. Petz established a Climate Risk Matrix last year to guide its adaptation and mitigation efforts. Key initiatives include the introduction of bicycle and electric car deliveries and an electronic invoicing system to reduce paper consumption. The company's Petix brand stands out for its circularity efforts, utilizing over 7,700 tons of discarded diapers in the production of hygienic mats in 2024. Petz also reported recycling over 707 tons of paper/cardboard and 350 tons of plastic. Energy efficiency is a priority, with services aimed at automating and optimizing air conditioning systems, which are expected to yield a 12% monthly energy reduction in 66.7% of its stores.
These detailed efforts from Tom&Co, Pets at Home, and Petz illustrate a growing and proactive commitment within the pet retail industry to embrace environmental stewardship. Their strategies, though varied, collectively contribute to a more sustainable future for pet care globally.
The concerted efforts of Tom&Co, Pets at Home, and Petz offer valuable insights into how large-scale retail operations can pivot towards greater environmental responsibility. Their initiatives highlight the importance of comprehensive strategies that encompass emission reduction, energy conservation, and innovative waste management. This trend suggests a positive future where businesses can thrive while simultaneously safeguarding our planet, setting a compelling precedent for other industries to follow suit in their sustainability journeys.