This post is sponsored by PSC Accredited Member, Sonoco
Across North and South America, pet ownership continues to grow while consumer expectations continue to evolve. As brands expand into new markets and respond to changing purchasing behaviors, packaging decisions increasingly need to balance product protection, manufacturing efficiency, sustainability goals, and consumer expectations. In Latin America, pet ownership has surged, with Brazil and Mexico among the fastest-growing markets, driven by urbanization and a rising middle class. At the same time, North American consumers are seeking premium, high-quality food while still demanding value and convenience.
When it comes to feeding our beloved pets, trust matters just as much as nutrition. Today’s pet parents care deeply about the packaging that holds their pet’s food. PSC’s 2025 State of Sustainability in the Pet Industry report found that recyclable packaging is among the product attributes influencing pet parents’ purchase decisions. (Source: PSC, State of Sustainability in the Pet Industry 2025, pp. 10–14)
Additionally, choosing the right packaging can support Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation compliance. By utilizing curbside recyclable packaging and packaging designed for recyclability, producers can potentially lower regulatory fees.
This blog takes a closer look at two product packaging solutions from Sonoco, a PSC Accredited Supplier: steel cans for wet food and rigid paper containers, including GreenCan®, for treats, powders, supplements, and other shelf-stable products. We’ll dive into what each format is designed to do, where it fits, and which sustainability attributes brands should evaluate.
Sonoco Steel Cans for Wet Pet Food
Globally, the wet food market grew around 27.85 billion during 2025, with estimates of growth reaching to over 40 billion by 2034: Wet Pet Food Market Size to Surpass USD 41.45 Billion By 2034. Its benefits, such as hydration and digestibility, make it a popular choice, particularly for aging pets and health-conscious consumers. The steel can’s ability to protect against oxygen, moisture, and light helps preserve freshness, flavor, and nutritional integrity throughout the product’s shelf life.
| FROM SONOCO: For wet pet food, steel cans remain the gold standard. Infinitely recyclable and designed to preserve freshness, flavor, and nutritional integrity, Sonoco’s metal packaging solutions provide the safety and performance pet food brands rely on. Convenience matters, too. Easy-to-open tops and a wide range of sizes help pets and their owners make mealtimes simple and enjoyable. As regulations such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) continue to evolve, choosing packaging that contains recycled content can be a strategic advantage. On average, Sonoco metal cans contain 20% recycled content. |
Key considerations for brands:
When evaluating packaging for wet pet food, consider how the format supports your product’s processing requirements, shelf-life goals, barrier needs, portion sizes, and the recycling systems available in the markets where your products are sold. These factors can have just as much impact on long-term product performance as the packaging material itself.
Sonoco Rigid Paper Containers and GreenCan®
A common assumption in sustainable packaging is that paper can’t perform like plastic. Sonoco’s innovation challenges that notion head-on.
Dry foods, treats, powders, supplements, and other shelf-stable products have a different set of requirements. Similar to wet food, the container must preserve freshness, extend shelf life, and protect sensitive contents from moisture and oxygen. Beyond that, brands may prioritize resealability, shelf presence, transportation strength, and compatibility with their existing filling equipment.
| FROM SONOCO: Our rigid paper solutions, including GreenCan®, are designed with up to 90% paper content and engineered barrier protection, offering durability, shelf appeal, and a paper-based innovation. These fiber-based solutions align with growing consumer preference for recyclable packaging. They are pre-qualified by How2Recycle® and passed the Western Michigan University test protocol for Repulpability & Recyclability. Barrier protection helps preserve freshness and protect sensitive contents from moisture and oxygen. Spiral-wound construction provides strength for stacking, shipping, and retail handling. Wide-ranging formats, diameters, closures, and barrier combinations allow brands to tailor performance to their exact needs. Premium print capabilities and design flexibility can also help the package stand out on shelf. |
Sonoco states that its rigid paper containers are designed to run on many existing filling lines, which may help brands limit equipment changes or new capital investment. Barrier layers and coatings can be customized for moisture, grease, or oxygen resistance, depending on the product.
In addition to their high paper content, Sonoco paper-bottom cans contain, on average, 90% recycled content, supporting paper circularity and helping companies meet the requirements of regulations such as EPR.
Key considerations for brands:
For dry foods, treats, powders, and supplements, consider the level of barrier protection your product requires, compatibility with existing filling equipment, desired package format and closures, and which material or recycling claims can be supported for the specific package configuration and markets where it will be sold.
Align Packaging with Your Sustainability Goals
| FROM SONOCO: We believe packaging should do more than contain. It should instill confidence that your product is protected and delivered to our most beloved pets with top quality. We find ourselves uniquely positioned to lead across both rigid paper containers and steel cans for pet treats, wet food and dry pet food products. |
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, Sonoco helps brands evaluate the right format based on their product and sustainability objectives. Brands looking to increase renewable material content or reduce plastic use may benefit from fiber-based packaging like GreenCan®, while those prioritizing maximum product protection and long shelf life may find steel cans remain the ideal solution.
Look Beyond the Package: Choosing the Right Packaging Partner
Choosing the right package is only part of the decision. The supplier behind that package can be just as important. In an upcoming article, we’ll explore what pet food brands should look for in a packaging supplier, and why that relationship matters long after the package is selected.
| FROM SONOCO: As the pet food market continues to evolve across the Americas, one thing remains constant: trust matters. And at Sonoco, our purpose is to be the most trusted packaging partner for pet food brands. Through performance, sustainability, and global expertise, we are helping customers deliver products that pet parents can feel good about today and into the future. Whether through paper-based or metal packaging, Sonoco’s solutions have been globally recognized by some of the packaging industry’s most prestigious awards, including projects developed for leading pet food brands. To learn more about these success stories, please refer to page 14 of Sonoco’s Sustainability Report |
Further reading:
- Sonoco’s Rigid Paper Containers and GreenCan® LCA
- Sonoco Corporate Sustainability Report
- State of Sustainability in the Pet Industry Report 2025
- For more information about recycling packages in your area, check locally for guidance.
This blog post was created in partnership with PSC Accredited Member, Sonoco.
As a convener of diverse perspectives in the pet industry, PSC shares member news and achievements to foster dialogue and progress. Content does not necessarily reflect PSC’s official positions.