EP45 - Time For a Treat! Exploring Insect & Seaweed Protein in Pet Nutrition with Stephanie Subbe

Welcome to Episode 45!

https://sustainable-ecom.com/ep45

As niche markets go, pet ownership is definitely one of the juicier ones at least if the rise of gigantic pet store chains over the past decade or so is anything to go by.   

There is a lot of noise and perhaps speculation about the environmental footprint of pet ownership, focusing mostly on the plastic pollution from pet toys and accessories to alarming estimates of the carbon footprint attached to the production and shipping of pet food, specifically meat as the protein source. 

There are definitely counter arguments that per food is often made from meat by products, including offal which would otherwise be sent to landfill or burned, so I don’t think we have an adequate handle the impact yet.  One thing is for sure though, as the population of pets soars, we should be looking for more sustainable alternatives, and my guest today is doing just that.  

Stephanie Stuber is the founder of Anipal, a Victorian brand pioneering the use of both seaweed protein and insect protein in dog treats.  

Whether or not the estimates of environmental impact of meat-based proteins is correct, both the  solutions being explored, Anipal very successfully I might add, have a many many times smaller footprint.  I think this is fascinating space that out of absolute necessity and apparent ease of production is absolutely one to watch over the coming years.