As sustainability becomes increasingly important across the pet food value chain, Petfood Essentials 2025 will kick off with a timely and practical focus on how companies can take meaningful action. This year’s preconference seminar to Petfood Forum held April 28 in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S., will open with a keynote by Allison Reser, director of sustainability and innovation at the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC).
In her session, Reser will guide attendees through the first steps of developing a sustainability program, how to gain internal support, and how to build a roadmap that aligns with core business goals.
“Taking an interest and learning with sincere curiosity and an open mind is the first step,” Reser said. “Anyone, in any position, at any company can do this, so if you’re reading this or attending my keynote at Petfood Essentials, you’re already on your way.”
Start with what matters most
While sustainability can feel like a broad or overwhelming topic, Reser recommends that companies begin by identifying which issues are most relevant to their operations and stakeholders. One foundational step is conducting a materiality assessment.
“I wish every pet food company started their sustainability journey with a materiality assessment, which helps identify the most significant environmental and social issues relevant to your business and stakeholders,” she said. “This assessment can become the foundation of your sustainability strategy and has a side-benefit of meaningful stakeholder engagement.”
In the pet food space, common areas of impact include energy-intensive processes such as drying, the sourcing of alternative ingredients, and consumer-facing communication about sustainability claims.
“Research shows that pet owners want sustainable products, but there is often a disconnect when it comes to pet food,” Reser explained. “Effectively communicating sustainability benefits to consumers can help bridge that gap.”
Gaining internal buy-in
Whether a sustainability initiative comes from leadership or a passionate employee, internal support is essential for success.
“Buy-in is important not only for unlocking budget, but for fostering collaboration and innovation,” Reser said. “If you are a leader or executive, you have a unique opportunity to drive real change. However, leadership alone isn’t enough; Ensure that every team member understands why sustainability matters and how it connects to their role.”
For team members who may not hold leadership positions, Reser suggests building momentum by forming green teams, identifying allies and using data to make the business case.
“The key to securing buy-in is clear two-way communication, aligning sustainability with core business priorities, and ensuring that it is integrated across all departments rather than siloed,” she said.
Building a roadmap for the long term
Once sustainability becomes part of the company culture, the next step is developing a roadmap anchored by measurable goals.
“A long-term sustainability roadmap should be built around thoughtfully set, science-based targets that align with and complement overall business strategy,” said Reser.
She encourages companies to work backward from these goals, considering challenges such as resource constraints or regulatory pressures. Key metrics and regular progress updates are essential to keep momentum going and maintain transparency.
“Transparent communication, both internally and externally, builds credibility and accountability, helping to sustain long-term commitment to sustainability goals,” she added.
Progress over perfection
For companies that are just beginning their sustainability efforts, Reser emphasized that there’s no shame in starting small.
“Progress is more important than perfection,” she said. “Some companies hesitate to admit they are in the early phases of their sustainability journey. But every company, no matter how mature their sustainability strategy, has an important next step to take. Identify what the next step is for your company and act!”
Reser’s keynote at Petfood Essentials will provide attendees with practical strategies, real-world examples, and the inspiration to take that next step — wherever they may be on their sustainability path.
Petfood Essentials is an interactive, informal educational preconference seminar held the day prior to the opening of Petfood Forum. The opening session: How to start your sustainability journey with speaker Allison Reser, director of sustainability and innovation, Pet Sustainability Coalition, will be held Monday, April 28, at 8:30 a.m. Petfood Forum will take place in Kansas City, U.S., from April 28-30. To stay informed on the latest event developments, go to PetfoodForumEvents.com.
