What Is Compostable Pet Food Packaging in 2026?

Pet owners are more environmentally conscious than ever, and that shift in mindset is reshaping the pet food aisle. Brands are under growing pressure to prove their sustainability credentials, and packaging is one of the most visible places to start. That’s why compostable pet food packaging has moved from a niche talking point to a mainstream expectation in 2026.

At Tyler Packaging, we’ve spent years developing flexible packaging solutions for the pet food industry, and compostable formats are now a core part of that offering. Here’s what compostable packaging actually means, why it matters for pet food brands, and how our range of compostable pouches can help.

It’s a term that gets used loosely, so it’s worth being precise. Compostable packaging is made from renewable raw materials, think paper, cellulose and corn starch, rather than conventional plastics. Under the right conditions, it breaks down fully into water, carbon dioxide and biomass, leaving nothing harmful behind.

That’s different from “biodegradable,” which is a much less rigorous term with no guaranteed timeframe or end result. Genuinely compostable packaging has to meet certified standards, and there are two main types of certification to know:

• OK Home Compost – material breaks down in less than 26 weeks at ambient temperatures below 30°C, making it suitable for a home compost bin.
• OK Industrial Compost – material breaks down in under 12 weeks at 60°C, in a controlled industrial composting facility.

All of Tyler Packaging’s compostable materials comply with the EU harmonised standard EN 13432:2000 for compostability.

It’s also worth clarifying what compostable packaging isn’t. It shouldn’t go into your regular plastics recycling stream, as it will contaminate it, it needs to go into food or garden waste instead. And not all paper-look packaging qualifies either; many papers are lined with plastic coatings that make them neither recyclable nor compostable.

Pet food packaging has changed enormously over the last decade, and sustainability is now one of the biggest drivers of that change. A few reasons compostable formats are gaining ground:

Environmental impact. Independent life cycle assessment (LCA) data shows the scale of the difference. Switching one million 2kg bags from a traditional PET/PET MET/PE laminate to a compostable structure could save the equivalent greenhouse gas emissions of a car driving 83,750 miles, alongside significant water and oil savings.

Less material, smaller footprint. Flexible compostable pouches use up to 95% less packaging material than rigid alternatives like tubs or glass. They’re also more efficient to transport, one truckload of pouches can carry the equivalent of eighteen truckloads of rigid packaging, cutting down on transport emissions across the supply chain.

Genuine barrier performance. Compostable doesn’t mean compromising on protection. The structures provide a strong barrier against oxygen and moisture, making them well suited to dry pet food, treats and kibble, and they’re just as suitable for chilled or frozen storage as conventional packaging.

Consumer and industry pressure. As members of the Pet Sustainability Coalition, we’ve committed to supporting the pledge to be 100% recyclable, refillable or compostable. Pet owners increasingly expect brands to back up sustainability claims with certified packaging, not just marketing language.

The one trade-off worth being upfront about: compostable packaging can cost around two to three times more than conventional plastic. For many brands, that’s an investment worth making for the environmental and brand-positioning benefits, but it’s a genuine consideration in any packaging decision.

We offer a full range of compostable pouch formats, so pet food brands can find a structure that fits their product, their branding and their production line.

Compostable Stand Up Pouches (Doy Pouches)

Our compostable stand-up pouches, also known as Doy Packs or bottom gusset pouches, are one of the most popular formats on pet food shelves. The bottom gusset gives excellent on-shelf presentation and stability, and the format is available with a wide range of closures, including PTC (press to close) zippers in single, double or triple track options. Sizes range from 50g up to 2.5kg, and pouches can be produced in natural (brown) or white kraft paper, printed in up to ten colours.

Compostable Flat Based Pouches

For brands wanting stronger shelf stand-out and stability, our compostable flat-based pouches offer a plant-based alternative to plastic without sacrificing visual impact. They’re built for optimal on-shelf presentation and are available across a range of laminate structures, so you can balance performance, design and finish, even combining different materials within the same pack.

Compostable Films

Where a pre-made pouch isn’t the right fit, our compostable films provide the same renewable, plastic-free construction for brands running their own form-fill-seal lines. They deliver the high barrier properties needed to keep pet food fresh, while still breaking down safely at end of life.

Moving to compostable packaging is a significant decision, and it’s one we support closely — we typically recommend a pre-artwork meeting with any new compostable project, to make sure the structure, format and design all work together from the outset.

If you’re a pet food brand exploring compostable packaging for 2026 and beyond, the Tyler Packaging team can talk you through material options, request a sample pack, and help you find the right pouch format for your product.

Get in touch with the Tyler Packaging team to request samples or discuss your compostable packaging project.