Design for Recycled Content Guide

The guide shares insights from experienced users of recycled content across the packaging supply chain to illuminate the opportunities and best practices for using recycled content in packaging. To develop the guide, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition conducted interviews during 2018 with companies across the packaging supply chain, including material manufacturers, packaging converters, brand owners, and retailers. The interviews explored barriers and opportunities to increasing the use of recycled content in packaging. Information collected through these interviews was supported by cumulative knowledge, research, and experiences of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition staff. 

This guide supports brands and suppliers who are looking to incorporate recycled content in packaging. The guide provides practical recommendations to inform strategy and decision making by outlining existing challenges, illuminating areas of opportunity, and dispelling myths about the use of recycled content.

Key Recommendations for brand owners:

• Set recycled content goals
• Align leadership, procurement, sales and marketing teams around recycled content
• Adjust specifications to accommodate higher levels of recycled content
• Work with suppliers that support your use of recycled content
• Develop dedicated strategies to manage recycled content costs
• Be an ambassador for recycled content

Key recommendations for suppliers:

• Work with brand owners to test recycled content materials and don’t be afraid to challenge customer specifications
• Take advantage of demand for recycled content as a competitive strategy and invest in needed equipment to support it
• Be methodical and transparent in your sourcing and tracking of recycled content inputs
• Invest in long-term relationships with customers