Is Earth Rated ethical?

Overview

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Montreal, Earth Rated has grown from a small family-run business into one of the most recognizable pet care brands globally. The company primarily focuses on dog waste bags, grooming wipes, and durable pet toys. Earth Rated underwent a significant brand refresh in 2023, doubling down on its commitment to 'design for life' and environmental stewardship. Unlike many competitors in the pet industry, Earth Rated maintains a high level of transparency regarding its product life cycle, moving away from 'greenwashing' terms like 'epid-degradable' toward scientifically backed certifications such as home compostability and carbon-neutral operations.

Certifications

Earth Rated holds several of the most rigorous third-party certifications in the consumer goods space. The brand is a Certified B Corp, a designation that requires meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. Their paper packaging and specific toy elements are FSC Certified, ensuring responsible forest management. Crucially, their compostable line is certified by TÜV Austria (as OK compost HOME and OK compost INDUSTRIAL), which verifies that the bags will break down in specific composting environments without leaving toxic residues. Additionally, they are Climate Neutral Certified, which means they measure, reduce, and offset their entire carbon footprint each year.

Animal testing & vegan range

Earth Rated is a PETA-Approved brand. This certification guarantees that the company does not conduct, commission, or pay for any tests on animals for its ingredients, formulations, or finished products. Their product range is entirely plant-based and vegan-friendly; their poop bags are made from vegetable starches (like corn), and their conditioning wipes use plant-derived ingredients such as aloe vera and chamomile. Because their products are intended for pet care but not for consumption or medical use, they avoid the pitfalls of animal-based stabilizers often found in traditional plastics.

Sustainability pledges

The company has committed to a 'circularity' mindset. Their sustainability pledges include a goal to keep millions of pounds of plastic out of landfills. While their original green-colored bags are made from 65% certified post-consumer recycled plastic, their compostable line is designed to divert waste entirely from the landfill system (where local regulations allow for pet waste composting). In 2023, Earth Rated achieved their goal of becoming Climate Neutral, and they continue to invest in carbon offset projects that focus on renewable energy and forest conservation. They also emphasize the longevity of their toy line, using durable, natural rubber to reduce the 'disposable' culture of pet play.

Sourcing & labor

As a B Corp, Earth Rated is required to maintain a strict Code of Conduct for its suppliers. They work closely with manufacturing partners in China and North America to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and ethical treatment of staff. Their B Impact Assessment highlights strong scores in corporate governance and worker wellbeing. By utilizing FSC-certified sources for their cardboard cores and packaging, they ensure that their supply chain does not contribute to illegal deforestation or the displacement of indigenous communities.

Controversies context

There are no major ethical controversies, lawsuits, or labor violations on record for Earth Rated. The brand has remained remarkably consistent in its messaging and operations. In the past, the wider 'biodegradable' bag industry faced criticism for using 'oxo-degradable' additives that merely broke plastic down into microplastics; however, Earth Rated proactively transitioned toward post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and certified compostable materials to address these environmental concerns before they became regulatory requirements.

Bottom line

Earth Rated is a gold-standard brand for ethical pet owners. By combining high-performance products with B Corp accountability, PETA approval, and Climate Neutral certification, they demonstrate that pet hygiene does not have to come at the expense of the planet. Their commitment to recycled materials and certified compostability makes them a top recommendation for those seeking to minimize their ecological footprint.