Driving Sustainability: Kaleigh’s Journey at Purina

Purina is continuously looking for ways that we can make more sustainable decisions and help care for the future of our planet. Read on to hear about Kaleigh’s career as a Program Manager for Sustainability.

What inspired you to pursue a career related to sustainability?

My commitment to continuous learning and my enthusiasm for packaging development have guided me into the field of Sustainability, which is constantly evolving and shaping the future of packaging design. I believe it is crucial to foster a more sustainable future for the generations to come, and I aspire to make a meaningful impact.

Can you share some of the key sustainability initiatives or projects you’ve worked on that you are most proud of?

When I began my career at Purina as a packaging developer, I played a role in the commercialization of Purina's recyclable paper pet food bag.

In my current position as the Program Manager for Packaging Sustainability, I focus on monitoring metrics and tracking the implementation progress of design for recycle (D4R) packaging and virgin plastic reduction (VPR) initiatives. Sustainability is a collaborative effort, and I take pride in the hard work and advancements Purina has achieved and continues to pursue.

How do you measure the impact of your sustainability efforts within the organization?

In my position, I oversee the entire Purina packaging portfolio and develop strategies to integrate sustainability into our structural packaging designs. Quantifying our impact through the percentage of packaging designed for recycling and the reduction of virgin plastic are the key metrics used for assessing our efforts.

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in sustainability within your area?

For packaging sustainability to be effective, it must be a comprehensive approach, which continues to present numerous opportunities. At Purina, while we strive to design our packaging for recycling, it is essential to have suitable recycling systems in place and to educate consumers on how to properly dispose of our packaging at the end of its life. Regarding packaging circularity, there are elements that Purina can directly influence, as well as factors that are beyond our control. That’s why we support trade organizations and coalitions that are helping to promote a better recycling system in the U.S.

How do you engage and educate employees about the importance of sustainability in your area of focus?

I have the unique opportunity to collaborate closely with both the Purina packaging developers and our regional and global Environmental Social Governance (ESG) colleagues. Given the constant evolving nature of sustainability, it is my responsibility to stay informed and share relevant information with the appropriate working groups.

Can you provide some examples of how your sustainability initiatives positively impacted the environment or the community?

Our Tidy Cats litter division has made significant progress in reducing plastic by integrating post-consumer resin (PCR) into the Tidy Cats jugs. My team went through a multi- year initiative to go from 0% post-consumer resin to 60%, and finally getting to 100% in 2025 on both the jug and closure. It was super exciting for us to push the limit of getting more and more PCR into our packaging. This achievement required strong collaboration among packaging developers, supply vendors, and production teams, all working together to help make a positive impact on the environment.

Does a career in Sustainability at Purina sound intriguing to you? Come prepared to make your mark in the industry and be sure to enroll in our talent network so you can be the first to know when we have openings.