The 29th China International Pet Show (CIPS 2025) will be held from November 13–16, 2025, at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou.

During the exhibition, CIPS 2025 will host the 3rd Sustainable Development Themed Activity, titled GREEN PAW PRINTS LOVE FOR EARTH. This initiative encourages exhibitors who practice green and sustainable development to leverage this international platform for industry exchange, to showcase new opportunities in sustainability, spread forward-looking ideas, and inject fresh momentum into the growth of the sector.

CIPS continues to deepen its strategic partnership with the UK-based PetQuip Association, jointly promoting sustainable development in the global pet industry. As part of this collaboration, CIPS has consistently sponsored the PetQuip Sustainability Award, recognizing innovative environmental practices across the industry.

In September 2024, Mr. Yu Hong, Business Vice President of China Great Wall International Exhibition, Head of the CIPS project, was invited to attend the PetQuip Awards ceremony — the UK’s authoritative pet industry awards — and witnessed the unveiling of the “Sustainability Award” together with experts and outstanding enterprises from around the world. Once again, CIPS fulfilled its commitment to advancing green development in the global pet industry through concrete action.

The Gold Award Presentation for the “Sustainability Award” at the 12th PetQuip Awards

Interview with BENEVO

Interviewee:

Q: Could you please talk about your understanding of sustainable development? 

I love our world and the plants and creatures in it. Our business is ambitious as the next, however, not at any cost. We strive to succeed but also aim to have minimal ecological impact and avoid animal suffering. By harnessing plant-based ingredients and eco-friendly packaging, the majority of what we create is part of a circular economy where materials can be recycled again and again and the natural ingredients replenished without severely impacting resources.

Q: When did your company start prioritizing sustainability and implementing sustainable practices?

As my co-founder and I are both vegans, sustainability, sourcing and our impact on the natural world has always been with us, from when we launched our first product, some 20 years ago this year. What hasn’t always been there is the information and products to make better decisions. The right choice is not always affordable and in pet food, as with many sectors, it requires the major players, or enough of the small ones to make a positive change, adopt new technology and products, and help drive costs down so smaller businesses can afford it too. Saying that, everyone can make improvements at any level, whether it’s cycling to work, supporting tree planting charities, switching energy supply to renewables or buying toilet roll that funds toilets in poorer parts of the world.

Q: Could you provide a more comprehensive introduction to the application of the company's sustainable development products/concept in the industry as the recipient of Gold award?

We have introduced sustainability ideas across our warehouse, brands and range in recent years, when the opportunity presented itself and even at times when it didn’t, but working together with our suppliers we achieved our goals. Our dog chew range Pawtato, aimed to give something back from the start, by planting trees, but we wanted to do more, so with our Pawtato Ocean Treats, we pushed the boat out so to speak, to make it more environmentally friendly. So besides our original plant-based, sweet potato recipe, we wanted to add the many benefits offered by seaweeds, however we didn’t want to destroy natural ocean habits, so we found a supplier of land-farmed seaweeds and added those instead. Then we put them in a certified compatible pouch we had sourced and donate some of the proceeds to ocean conservation projects.

Biodegradable pet waste bags

Compostable certification label

The majority of our products are now in sustainable packaging with the remaining products going to recyclables by Summer of 2025. 

We also apply our sustainability goals to our warehouse and team. We use mobile phone suppliers that buy land for rewilding, carpet our offices with tiles made from recycled fishing nets, have all renewable energy supply on to back up our own solar panels and battery system. We have a zero to landfill policy on waste, so recycle card, paper, printer cartridges, batteries and more. We have all LED lighting in our offices and warehouse and installed an EV charger in our car park. To be honest, it’s becomes a little bit addictive, and the reward is the feeling it gives you knowing you’re doing good, for good’s sake.

Q: Will you plan to continue developing new sustainable products in 2024, and are there any new initiatives on sustainability?

Sustainability doesn’t have to be a trend or a menu option, it’s a way of life for us. It sits at the forefront of our minds and with every decision comes a choice and where we can, we’ll pick the most sustainable one that aligns with our vegan belief.

In 2025, in terms of products, we continue to migrate the last few products to fully recyclable packaging. We’re also testing the capacity of products in cases as we’ve found some cases contained as much as 25% airspace! So we could be shipping more per pallet, reducing road miles and our carbon footprint. We’re reducing the weight of some products for shipping efficiency, improving case durability to reduce additional packaging in transit and we’re also looking at domestic production according to the market, to reduce sea shipping.

Recyclable material packaging

BENEVO recyclable cat food packaging bag

Q: What do you think are the trends in corporate sustainability? Have you been concerned about sustainability in the pet industry?

Corporates are often lead by costs, demand from customers or meeting regulations. It doesn’t always come from the heart. We work in a different way to this, however from what I see, packaging has been a big part of the last 5-6 years. Especially as costs have come down and it’s what a lot of consumers want. EPR regulations coming into effect in various countries across Europe may help drive that further, but customers are also cautious of green-washing. A lazy trend to present as eco-friendly, while acting differently elsewhere.

Q: What do you see as the challenges for companies that are just starting to focus on sustainability? What guidance would you give?

I think when you look at what other companies are doing, it can be slightly overwhelming. Sustainability needs to start in your thinking. As you work through your day, question whether there’s an alternative. What you apply that thinking to can be small to start off with. For example, could you recycle more or are you on a renewable energy tariff? 

The challenges grow depending on your industry, perhaps using more sea freight than airfreight. Switching to recyclable or compostable packaging depends on what's inside too.

It’s no good putting pet food in an expensive compostable pouch if it arrives in a country unfit for sale because it’s been on a container for 3 weeks across the equator.

And as EPR grows in popularity, companies need to be sure they are carrying all the correct logos and recycling information for customers to meet ever changing regulations. That means factoring in costs for constantly updating multi-language packaging and paying EPR annual fees. 

Designing and maintaining food and its packaging for international sale, as a small business in particular, is a big challenge.

The GREEN PAW PRINTS LOVE FOR EARTH campaign has officially launched!

 We sincerely invite you to join the Sustainable Development Pioneer initiative.

 Walk side by side with BENEVO — and together, let’s leave our lasting green imprint at CIPS 2025.