Eleven years ago Alex Fisher and his then business partner had a vision for a new dog toy that was strong, buoyant and environmentally friendly. The result? Planet Dog’s wildly popular Orbee-Tuff Ball (you know the one, it’s the rubber ball shaped like the earth). In addition to selling this and other products on a national level, Planet Dog opened its own flagship store in Portland, Maine in 2004. Five years later, Planet Dog is making its mark on the pet industry not only for its wide selection of pet products, but also because of the company’s environmentally and socially conscious business model.
According to Catherine Frost, Brand and Product Champion for Planet Dog, the Orbee-Tuff products “put us on the map.” Still a best seller, Orbee-Tuff toys are made from melted rubber pellets and produce no waste. This is because all of the left-over rubber material is then recycled into another line of dog toys, RecycleBALLS, which display the words “Reduce. Reuse. Rewoof.” on them, and RecycleBONES, both of which are made from 100% recycled materials. Even the toys themselves can be recycled. To encourage pet owners to recycle their Orbee toys, Planet Dog has recently launched a program in the store, where customers can bring in old pet toys and drop them off in a mail box that serves as a recycling bin. The old toys are transported to company factories in Sanford, Maine and Uxbridge, Massachusetts, and are then melted down and reused to make new ones. Another product, the Shammy towel, is also made from 100% recycled materials (derived from wood chips) and are made to dry quickly so that they do not require electric drying.
In addition to dog toys, Planet Dog sells pet food, treats, collars, leashes, and basically anything else a family dog might need. All of the dog food and treats carried in the Planet Dog store are all-natural and several are organic. Many dog owners look for less processed food for their dogs, says Ken Hahn, Store Manager, because, “It’s healthy. There’s a lot of evidence that feeding your dog a less processed diet is better…” The store is stocked with products made by local vendors from Maine and New England, including farmers who produce all-natural and or organic ingredients.
Planet Dog also encourages its employees and others to use green practices whenever possible. According to Ken Hahn, the store now has a no-idling policy for deliveries. Employees are encouraged to use recycling bins for their own as well as the store’s waste. Planet Dog also has a no bottled water policy and they have installed water filters on their faucets as an alternative. Employees are asked to bring their own reusable bottles to fill throughout the day. At the company headquarters, also in Portland, there is even a composting station for employees to use if they choose. Planet Dog has an incentive program for employees who choose hybrid vehicles, by offering to reimburse each employee up to 50% of the excise tax due on the cars.
The store and headquarters use dimmer switches to conserve electricity and are also in the process of converting to energy efficient lighting. They do not use toxic cleaners that contain bleach or other harsh chemicals. Another green innovation has been the use of a virtual trade show rather than traveling to another location, to promote Planet Dog’s products. With a virtual trade show, a company can showcase its products online, which can save them money as well as reducing the amount of fuel that is consumed then emitted into the air.
Planet Dog is also very active within the community, supporting charitable causes such as pet adoptions and they are also a sponsor for The Bayside Trail. The Bayside Trail is a new neighborhood trail in Portland that conserves open space for walking and other recreational purposes. Additionally, a portion of the company’s sales are directed to The Planet Dog Foundation, an accredited charity that supports service dogs who assist humans in valuable and life-saving ways. According to Catherine Frost, the company refers to its efforts to be socially responsible as “Romping the Romp” and are a part of the company’s overall mission.
Planet Dog will be hosting a Groundbreaking Celebration for The Bayside Trail, to be held on the trail (just behind the store) on June 6, 2009.
For more information about the event or about Planet Dog:
www.planetdog.com or
www.planetdogfoundation.org
Planet Dog
211 Marginal Way
Portland, Maine 04101 (207)-761-1515
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