GreenBlue Announces Brands Piloting the Label and Releases Labeling for Package Recovery Report Outlining How Labeling System Can Improve the US Recycling System
We are pleased to announce the release of a new report, Labeling for Package Recovery, and the details for a 2012 national pilot of the new Packaging Recovery Label System, a voluntary label developed by GreenBlue’s Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) to communicate to consumers how to recycle a package after its use.
The following leading companies have agreed to implement the label on select packaging nationwide starting in 2012: ConAgra Foods, Costco Wholesale, Microsoft, REI, and Seventh Generation.
The goals of the labeling system are to reduce confusion for consumers with clear instructions on how to recycle a package after its use, and to develop a consistent, accurate labeling system for companies that adheres to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) “Green Guides” and uses nationally accurate recyclability data.
“Consumers are faced with a confusing landscape of recycling messages and instructions that are often inconsistent or misleading,” said GreenBlue Project Manager Anne Bedarf, who has led development of the labeling system for the SPC. “We believe this label will create a harmonized system that will help consumers and companies contribute to more effective resource recovery.”
Given that recycling systems vary significantly by municipality across the country, each package component is labeled as widely recycled, not yet recycled, or limited recycling with instructions for consumers on how to check locally. The system was based on the successful OPRL system in the UK and developed through over three years of research, including extensive consumer testing and a national effort to collect updated recyclability data.
GreenBlue has launched a website for consumers as part of the labeling system: www.how2recycle.info, which provides information on how to check locally, as well as information for local governments and companies interested in getting involved. Following the conclusion of the pilot phase, the label will be available to any interested companies to use.
The labeling system has received support from numerous state and local governments addressing recycling challenges. “We strongly believe that recycling programs across the country and the general public’s commitment to recycling behavior will greatly benefit from a clear and sensible package labeling framework,” said Scott Mouw of the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, noting the support of the state for the effort.
GreenBlue also released its new Labeling for Package Recovery report, which details the current challenges with inconsistent and misleading labels on packages, evaluates two international packaging recovery labeling systems, and discusses how an effective labeling scheme could address shortcomings of the US recycling and recovery system.
The report presents requirements for an effective labeling scheme, where the label should:
• Match its stated objective
• Be actively administered and enforced nationwide
• Be easily recognized by consumers
• Have the ability to drive positive action
• Be easily adaptable to new packaging material types, formats, and recovery systems
GreenBlue’s Sustainable Packaging Coalition developed its comprehensive Packaging Recovery Label System specifically to meet these requirements for the US.
“We believe this report outlines how an effective labeling scheme will prompt consumers nationwide to take the correct action and significantly increase collection and recovery of packaging materials,” said GreenBlue Project Manager Liz Shoch, the author of the report.
The Labeling for Package Recovery report is available free to download on our website.
The new labeling is an improvement but it’s still confusing “collecting” with “recycling.” Just because it’s ok to put it in the bin, doesn’t mean it’s actually going to be used as a raw material in the manufacture of a recycled-content product.
Hi there, thanks so much for your comment! There was a lot of work we did collecting data on recyclability, and we used two tiers to determine the categories. Tier one included “access to recycling” studies–collection-based–per Federal Trade Commission guidance. You are right; that’s not the complete story! Tier two included a thorough review of existing information regarding materials that may be collected, but are problematic in recycling. One example includes wet strength additives to fiber products, such as those included in certain freezer boxes. While some paper mills can handle fiber with this additive, many can’t as of yet; therefore, under our system, paper boxes with this additive must be labeled Limited Recycling/Check Locally instead of Widely Recycled.
Indeed the final use of a recycled material is a big area for discussion. For example, where no market exists for glass recycling, is turning it into sand blast media or road base considered recycling? These are important ongoing questions for our society.