Petco Launches First-Ever National Trade-In and Recycling Event for Dog Collars, Leashes and Harnesses

Limited-time program offers 40% off new pet gear while promoting sustainability ahead of Global Recycling Day

SAN DIEGO, March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Petco today announced the launch of its first-ever national trade-in and recycling event in partnership with TerraCycle, an international leader in sustainability solutions, including giving hard-to-recycle materials a new life. In anticipation of Global Recycling Day on March 18 and right in time for annual spring cleaning, Petco is helping pet parents recycle their dogs' old collars, leashes and harnesses for an upgrade and a safer, more comfortable fit.

From March 15 through March 29, pet parents can bring old dog collars, leashes, or harnesses into Petco pet care centers nationwide for responsible recycling. To encourage pet parents to refresh their pet gear for safety while making an eco-conscious disposal choice, participants will receive 40% off a single qualifying dog collar, leash or harness of their choice at registers.

To kick off the trade-in event, all Petco locations will host an in-store activation on March 15 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. local time, where store associates can help pet parents find the best fit for their dogs and educate them on Petco's latest spring solutions. The event will feature a Petco associate-led education station focused on timely topics – ranging from flea and tick prevention to allergy support, essential products for getting outside and more – as well as a kid-friendly coloring activity, making it a fun, easy and engaging experience for the whole family.

Making Sustainable Pet Care More Accessible 

As the first major pet retailer to team up with TerraCycle for a pet gear trade-in and recycling event of this scale, Petco is committed to reducing pet product waste. The partnership with TerraCycle ensures that old pet gear is properly recycled, contributing to a more sustainable future by giving the materials a new life. The qualifying materials will be recycled into products such as plastic lumber, plastic pallets, leather accessories, and filling for pet bedding, insulation and sports equipment.

"At Petco, we're continuously evolving our highly curated product and services offerings to help pet parents keep their pets happy and healthy, and that includes taking steps toward creating a healthier planet," said Jack Stout, Chief Merchandising Officer at Petco. "With this first-of-its-kind trade-in and recycling event, we're offering pet parents an easy way to upgrade their pets' gear with properly fitted, high-quality collars, leashes and harnesses – while ensuring old products are responsibly recycled instead of ending up in landfills."

Why Upgrade a Pet's Collar, Leash or Harness? 

Many pet parents don't realize that pet gear needs to be replaced regularly to maintain comfort and safety. Over time, collars, leashes and harnesses wear down from exposure to the elements, maintenance, frequency and type of use, leading to weakened materials, fraying, or an improper fit. Darris Cooper, National Dog Training Manager at Petco, encourages pet parents to regularly inspect pet gear for signs of wear and tear, and replace them when needed:

"Properly fitted collars, leashes and harnesses are critical to pet safety and well-being. If a collar is too loose, a pet can slip out, and if it's too tight, it can cause discomfort or injury. Similarly, leashes with frayed or weakened materials may snap under tension, posing a risk during walks," said Cooper. "This trade-in event is a great opportunity for pet parents to check their pets' gear, ensure the best fit, and make an eco-friendly choice when replacing old accessories."

Customers can choose from a variety of options to upgrade their pets' gear, including reflective items, those made from recycled materials, "no-pull" harnesses that are great behavioral aids, waterproof leashes and even designs in fashionable, trend-forward colors and prints that showcase individuality.

As pet parents refresh their pets' gear, it's also an ideal time to update ID tags and register pets on Petco Love Lost, a free national lost and found database that uses photo-matching technology to help reunite lost pets with their families.

How to Participate in the Trade-In and Recycling Event:

• Visit a Petco store between March 15 and March 29.
• Bring an old dog collar, leash, or harness.
• Receive 40% off a new full-priced dog collar, leash, or harness at the time of trade-in. Excludes electronic collars, flea collars, identification tags and clearance or sale items.
• Petco store associates will collect old items at checkout to be recycled with TerraCycle.

To browse Petco's collar, leash and harness offerings and find the closest Petco location, visit petco.com and the store locator tool.

About Petco, The Health + Wellness Co.:  
Founded in 1965, Petco is a category-defining health and wellness company focused on improving the lives of pets, pet parents and our own Petco partners. We've consistently set new standards in pet care while delivering comprehensive pet wellness products, services and solutions, and creating communities that deepen the pet-pet parent bond. We operate more than 1,500 pet care centers across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, which offer merchandise, companion animals, grooming, training and a growing network of on-site veterinary hospitals and mobile veterinary clinics. Our complete pet health and wellness ecosystem is accessible through our pet care centers and digitally at petco.com and on the Petco app. In tandem with Petco Love, a life-changing independent nonprofit organization, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, we've helped find homes for nearly 7 million animals.  

Media Contact: 
Yvonne Tarrab
[email protected]

SOURCE Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc.