Do you know if your brand's packaging can truly be recycled? Ask your brand these questions related to the packages end of life journey to find out!

1. CAN YOUR
PACKAGING TRULY
GET RECYCLED?
Ask These Key Questions:

2. CONSUMER
Consumer’s ability to put packaging into collection stream.
o Is your packaging made of recyclable materials?
o To be recycled, does it need to be clean, dry, crushed, rinsed?
o Does the lid or cap need to stay on?
o Are there clear recycling instructions on the packaging?
o Is it accepted in most community recycling programs? If not, are
you working toward enabling its acceptance?

3. MRF
Material Recovery Facility’s (MRF) ability to sort packaging
o Does the MRF accept your packaging?
o Can every part of your packaging be recycled, or does it need
some disassembly by the consumer?
o Can your packaging be sorted correctly, making it unlikely to
contaminate other recyclables?

4. PROCESSOR
Recycled material processor or manufacturer’s ability
to return to useful raw material
o Is your packaging suitable for its likely reprocessing stream?
o Are there parts of your packaging that may contaminate the
reprocessing process (e.g., labels or inks that are incompatible or
discolor the material being recycled)?
o Are there additives or fillers that may make the packaging act
differently in the reprocessing process than it should (e.g., starch
or fillers that cause plastics that would otherwise float in a wash
cycle to sink)?
*Note: If rigid plastic or film, the Association of Plastics Recyclers site helps to determine
the MRF’s ability to sort your packaging.

5. MARKET
Market’s ability to use the product
o Can you use recycled material back into your packaging?
o If not, have you considered other parts of your supply chain that
can use recycled content (e.g., durables, composite lumber, and
clothing)?
*Suggestion: Consider making a recycled content goal part of your sustainability efforts.
Without good markets for recycled products, recycling cannot succeed.

6. SONOCO RECYCLING
STATISTICSSonoco has been recycling
for more than a century.
It’s part of our core
business model.
We recycle,
or cause to be
recycled, the equivalent
by weight of
of the product we
place in the
marketplace.
83%
Post-consumer
recycled resins make
up 18% of our global
resin supply.
Post-consumer fiber
makes up 85% of our
global fiber supply.
MOST SONOCO PRODUCTS ARE EITHER RECYCLABLE,
COMPOSTABLE, OR ENERGY RECOVERABLE

7. SONOCO’S 2025
COMMITMENTS
Sonoco will increase,
by weight, the amount
we recycle, or cause to
be recycled, from 65%
to 85%, relative to the
volume of product we
put into the global
marketplace.
Sonoco is committed
to increasing the use of
post-consumer
recycled resins in its
plastic packaging from
19% to 25% by 2025.
Sonoco will ensure that
approximately 75% of
its global rigid plastic
packaging is capable of
making the relevant
on-package recyclable
claim by 2025.

8. OUR RECYCLING
APPROACH
EDUCATE ENGAGE INNOVATE
Increase the knowledge base of our
customers and our teammates so we
can all make more informed decisions.
Partner with suppliers, thought
leaders, academia, trade associations
and organizations focused on finding
solutions around sustainability.
Find the right technologies to make
sustainable solutions a reality.

9. “At Sonoco, we recognize the critical
importance of developing sustainable
packaging solutions that will protect
and preserve our planet for future
generations.”
- Sonoco Corporate Responsibility
Report
Learn more by visiting us online at
sonoco.com/sustainability