Podcast: The Rise of Upcycled Ingredients in Pet Food

Pet food is going green, and we’re not just talking about peas—more like saving perfectly good, whole foods from landfills.

In this episode of Barking Mad, we unpack the growing use of upcycled ingredients in pet nutrition and why they’re at the center of a smarter, more sustainable food system. By turning food byproducts that would otherwise go to waste into high-quality, nutrient-rich ingredients, pet food companies are reducing food loss, conserving resources, and creating value from what was once discarded.

Co-hosts Jordan Tyler and Dr. Stephanie Clark speak with Amanda Oenbring, CEO of the Upcycled Food Association, Heidi Gillman and John Rotella of Ag-Alchemy Animal Nutrition, and Kaitlin Mogentale of Trashy and Scrapi, to explore the full case for upcycling. Join us as we uncover why upcycled ingredients are no longer just a trend—they’re becoming a business imperative, from carbon footprint reduction to nutritional performance.

What You’ll Learn ♻️

• What qualifies as an upcycled ingredient in pet food
• Why today’s pet parents care about food waste reduction
• How upcycling supports environmental, economic, and nutritional sustainability
• Challenges in formulation, sourcing, and communication
• How brands can take a circular economy approach to pet food by bringing pet parents into the story of upcycled ingredients

Ready to learn how garbage becomes gold in the pet food world? Tune in now and discover why one man’s trash could be another dog’s treasure.

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About the Author

Jordan Tyler is the Director of Media at BSM Partners and co-host of the Barking Mad podcast. She has more than seven years of experience reporting on trends, best practices and developments in the North American pet nutrition industry. Jordan resides in Bentonville, Arkansas, with her husband and their three furry family members.