New hangtags describe the program and key product attributes.

Big Shrimpy, a Seattle-based manufacturer of pet accessories, has introduced a recycling program for its pet beds and other products. Under the FullCircle Design recycling program, Big Shrimpy’s Original, Nest and Catalina beds as well as its Landing Pad, Doodle toys and bed covers can be sent back to the company to be recycled.

“We’ve always designed Big Shrimpy products to last, but if an end user, for whatever reason, wants to part with their old Big Shrimpy bed, we want to offer them an environmentally-friendly alternative to the landfill,” said president and co-owner Bruce Kelling.

End users are advised to wash the products before sending them in. Once the cleaned products are returned to the company, the outer fabrics and SmartFill polyester-fiber filling will be processed into reusable fiber.

Big Shrimpy co-owner Cici Kelling said the FullCircle Design recycling program was the natural next step for the eco-conscious company.

“Since incorporation in 2002, Big Shrimpy has utilized recycled materials in its products and avoided building throw-away products by using sturdy, easily washable materials, sewing to stringent standards and offering replaceable parts to the end-user,” she said. “All these measures minimize the environmental impacts of our products, which is one of Big Shrimpy’s primary company goals.”

Cici Kelling expected to come out in September with comprehensive new hangtags for the Original, Nest, and Catalina bed lines that describe the FullCircle Design recycling program and other key attributes of the beds. The company plans to update the hangtags for the Landing Pads as well as its retail cover packaging in early 2010. Doodle toys tags are to stay as-is. <HOME>