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Packaging Waste & Recycling

Every year, Americans create millions of tons of waste, mostly in the form of packaging and other recyclable materials (see References 3). Consumers and businesses can do their part to use and recycle the packaging that accompanies products from food to electronics to sneakers. By recognizing the types of recyclable packaging, you can help reduce waste, resulting in a healthier planet.

  1. Cardboard Packaging

    • Cardboard is essentially a paper product.

      Corrugated and flatboard cardboard packaging is one of the most easily recyclable packaging options. At the time of publication, more than 85 percent of all products sold in the U.S. are packaged in cardboard (see References 4). In 1991, a company called THARCO changed the design of its cardboard packaging, making it more crush-resistant, using eco-friendly inks to print on it and using little to no new paper fibers for manufacturing (see References 1).

    Reused and Recycled Wood Pallets

    • Wood pallets can have a long lifetime of reuse before being recycled.

      Many companies that use wood pallets for shipping their products reuse them until they are no longer safe or functional. The pallets deemed unusable are recycled as chipped wood ground cover or burned to fuel electricity stations. (See References 1) As of May 2011, an estimated 170 million wooden pallets get reused and recycled each year (see References 5).

    Packing Peanuts

    • Packing peanuts can be recycled.

      "Packing peanuts," technically called polystyrene loose fill, are made from recycled polystyrene waste that comes from electronics manufacturers, foam drink cup manufacturers and more. FP Industrial makes packing peanuts from 100 percent waste polystyrene that contains 40 percent recycled post-consumer material and 60 percent industry waste (see References 1). The Plastic Loose Fill Council reports that as of May 2011, a minimum of 25 percent of packing peanuts were being made from recycled content (see References 6).

    Plastics

    • Check what types of plastic your area recycles.

      Recyclable plastics display a code that denotes their contents and indicates whether they can be recycled. Types 1, 2, 4 and 5 are the most widely accepted by recycling facilities; types 3, 6 and 7 contain toxic chemicals such as chlorine, making them more difficult and expense to recycle. (See Resources 2) These codes can be found in a triangle stamped on the bottom of plastic containers.

    Consumer Awareness

    • Take your own bags to the store to eliminate the extra waste generated by plastic grocery bags.

      As a consumer, you can eliminate packaging waste by being more aware of the amount of excess or non-recyclable packaging used on goods you purchase. Research what types of packaging can be recycled in your area. You can take reusable grocery bags to avoid using plastic bags when shopping, and use reusable containers when packing or saving food. (See References 2)

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