sign in sign up
<<
Home , Packaging waste

revent...... Packaging...... ...... A practical guide for cost savings and environmental benefits of re-evaluating business packaging

You'll Learn: Why packaging waste affects your bottom line How packaging trends enhance business and the environment Best ways to cut packaging waste How to get employees and suppliers on your side

Snohomish County Public Works Solid September 1995

Prevent Packaging Waste for Your Business and the Environment

C ommon barriers and solutions:

"There isn't anything my business can do."f Businesses can do more than they may realize. Packaging waste makes up one-third of all commercial , making it an easy place for businesses to improve their waste manage- ment practices and reduce the costs associated with waste disposal and packaging.

"We already tried this a few years ago." Technology is continually changing. New packaging products are readily available that can save you money by decreasing the amount of material used, using recycled content, and increasing recyclability.

Competition among packaging suppliers has also increased. Many of your suppliers may be willing to work with you to design a new package with less material or with recycled materials because they don't want to lose your business.

The movement toward products that are environmentally responsible is in full-swing. In the last few years, markets for recycled and recyclable materials have drastically changed and companies want to be viewed as doing the right thing.

"Our company recycles, we've already done our part." is only the begenning of the changes your business can make to save money and be environmentally responsible. Consider eliminating unnecessary routine packaging. Many companies fear that if they change anything about their product the customer will not like it. Throughout this project, we found that many packaging reductions were viewed favorably by customers and often presented promotional opportunities.

Further, by purchasing packaging materials that have recycled content you are helping sustain the markets for the materials that you are recycling. The greater the demand for products made with recycled content, the more demand there will be for your recyclables. This helps reduce your disposal, costs and the price of new recycled content products.

Prevent Packaging Waste A practical guide for cost savings and environmental benefits of re-evaluating business packaging

Snohomish County Executive: Robert J. Drewel

Public Works Department: Peter Hahn, Public Works Director Jeff Kelley-Clarke, Solid Waste Utility Director Suellen Mele, Recycling and Waste Prevention Coordinator Rey Sundal, Project Manager Deb Aardahl, Graphic Designer

Prepared by: Sound Resource Management Group, Inc. Seattle, WA 206-622-9454 Principal Author: Jim Jensen

Acknowledgments: The authors wish to thank the following companies and individuals for their assistance during the project: Dave Stitzel, Full Circle Environmental, Inc. Jennie , Carton Environmental Systems Jim Haberzetle, TR Zetco Doug Dirksen, Packaging Resources Jamie Green, Packaging Alternatives Carol Jenderzak, Packaging Engineer

For additional copies of this guide, please contact: Snohomish County Public Works Solid Waste Management Division 2930 Wetmore Avenue Everett, WA 98201-4044

Persons with disabilities may request this information in alternative forms by calling the numbers below.

For waste prevention, recycling, and disposal information: Call (206) 388-3425 or 1-800-562-4367, extension 3425. (Hearing/speech impaired call WA Relay Center at 1-800-833-6388.) Contents—What You’ll Learn

Packaging Waste Affects Your Bottom Line ...... 1 See what packaging waste costs you Study # 1: Composite Materials Chooses Reusable Solution ...... 3

What is the Problem with Packaging? ...... 5 Learn how packaging contributes to solid waste and other environmental problems

Trends in Packaging ...... 7 Discover how current trends can help you Case Study #2: The Footzone —“Repeat Feet” ...... 10

Packaging Waste Prevention Principles ...... 11 Four principles to apply in everyday decisions Case Study # 3: Alpine Windows Eliminates Packaging ...... 12 Case Study #4: JanSport—When More Means Less ...... 15

Tips for Preventing Packaging Waste ...... 16 Clues for taking advantage of savings in packaging Case Study #5: Fluke Packaging Committee Leads The Way ...... 17 Case Study # 6: Milgard Windows Coordinates Savings In Several Areas ...... 23

Packaging Material Vendors Sources of less wasteful packaging ...... 24

Other Resources Books, magazines and organizational support ...... 28

References ...... 30

This is recycled and recyclable. Packaging Waste Affects Your Bottom Line

Waste can be easy to ignore. If managers Nonrecyclable packaging increases your consider it at all, they often think of used customer's disposal costs and reflects poorly packaging in their trash as a necessary cost of on your product and company. business. Business people who must choose from fast-food and other kinds of dis- packaging for the products they sell may not posable packaging is a form of environmental take time to leam all the options or consider that creates a negative public image. the environmental costs of their decisions. The realities of business economics and competi- A major challenge for businesses everywhere is tion, however, have a way of making managers to reduce costs and stay competitive. One way see the obvious: to effectively meet this challenge is through careful management of solid waste, especially waste sts packaging which is a large component of the business money. waste stream. This guide provides information for use by managers in engineering, marketing, purchasing, facilities, and solid waste and recycling. The guide provides basic strategies to prevent packaging waste, as well as ex- Costs of amples of companies that have successfully packaging waste implemented packaging changes, resulting in practical and environmental benefits. Look at some of the many ways that packaging waste you receive affects your profitability: The costs of packaging with excess weight or unnecessary materials are passed on to you he Snohomish County through higher prices. T Wasted packaging means more garbage and Packaging Waste higher disposal costs. Recycling old packaging is great, but it can also Prevention Project cost time and money. In 1994, the Snohomish County Public Works Solid Waste Management Division, in Everett, Now, look at some of the ways your own WA, sponsored the Packaging Waste Preven- packaging choices affect your profitability and tion Project. This unique project was developed competitiveness: to match different types of businesses, both Unnecessary, or dual, packaging adds more to large and small, with packaging experts who materials and production costs. could help identify opportunities to improve Extra weight or material adds to transporta- the economic and environmental benefits of tion costs. packaging, while maintaining functionality and Bulky packaging means more storage and han- performance characteristics. dling costs. Disposable or one-use packaging costs more The County contracted with a group of envi- in the long-run because of the raw materials, ronmental consultants to conduct the project. energy, and other resources used in its produc- Led by Sound Resource Management Group, tion, distribution, and disposal. Seattle, WA, the project team also included Full Packaging that won't meet environmental regulations in other states or countries can limit your markets. Circle Environmental and Carton Environmen- guide, except to offer their individual experi- tal Services. The consultants received impor- ences as case studies. Inclusion in the list does tant assistance from a variety of packaging not mean the businesses approved or endorsed vendors, notably Packaging Resources and TR the contents of this guide. Zetco.

The project team interviewed several dozen companies about packaging issues and eventu- he opportunities for ally identified 26 companies to receive direct T technical assistance. The participating busi- savings can be enormous nesses included manufacturers, wholesale and Many businesses participating in the distribution companies, retail businesses, and Snohomish County Packaging Waste Preven- service companies. The list provided below tion Project realized significant savings using illustrates the range of businesses involved. simple procedures to look more carefully at the packaged goods they received and sent. Brief Alfy's Pizza, Everett case studies throughout this guide provide Alpine Widows, Bothell details of the benefits to participating Boeing Commercial Group/Everett businesses. Ceramic Arts, Mukilteo Composite Materials, Arlington More than two dozen businesses were assisted Crystalite Skylights, Everett by the project. In some cases, the packaging ELPAC, Everett changes implemented were "minor"-using Everett Wholesale, Everett smaller or thinner , or changing Flight Form Cases, Arlington from bleached to unbleached paper. Other Fluke Corporation, Everett businesses implemented major changes in their FootZone, Mt. Vemon packaging systems. In every case, when HCI Steel, Arlington businesses reduced their packaging-whether Hewlett-Packard, Lake Stevens through little changes or big steps-theysaved Islands Bakery Arlington money. JanSport, Everett Mikron Industries, Kent The total savings realized by all the participat- Milgard Widows, Marysville ing businesses, through less material used and Modem Furniture, Arlington more efficient work, was more than a quarter Mollgaard Floral, Snohomish million dollars per year. The benefits of pack- Packaging Altematives, Mukilteo aging reductions also included cuts in the Platt Electrical Supply, Everett amount of waste generated or disposed in the PPG Industries, Everett county. In addition, greater attention to pre- Precision Replacement Parts, Woodinville venting packaging waste helped improve Talking Rain, Preston recycling programs at many participating U.S. Marine, Arlington businesses. Valberg, Woodinville Other projects in the U.S. also demonstrate the Many of the participating businesses were able benefits of preventing packaging waste. The to make packaging change—some small, Coalition of Northeastem Govemors others large. However, not all the businesses (CONEG), which helps coordinate regional were able to make packaging changes within action in nine northeastem states, has made the timeframe of the project. The businesses packaging waste a focus of its efforts to reduce listed here did not participate in producing this solid waste at the source. Since 1991, in re- sponse to "The CONEG Challenge: Voluntary Packaging Reductions by Industry," 42 U.S. corporations have cut the amount of packaging

2 waste they generate. Their efforts combined which has changed packaging designs and have reduced waste disposal by a total of 16 reduced the weight of packaging materials; and million tons. Cost savings for 14 of the compa- Tom's of Maine, which now ships its mouth- nies have reached $400 million. Participating wash product without a . companies included Coors Brewing Company,

What is the Problem with Packaging?

To appreciate the importance of packaging in shipped to the retailer in layers of the modem world, just remember that the packaging: shipping with lots of filling, packaging industry does about $84 billion stacked on wood , and covered by worth of business each year. It is the third plastic stretchwrap. largest industry in the country, larger than most of the industries it serves, and it employs more people than any other single industry.' Packaging and the environment ackaging serves American companies and consumers dispose P of twice as much packaging today as they did many needs just three decades ago—from 27 million tons By current estimates, the typical consumer per year in 1960 to 57 million tons in 1988 (see package travels as many as 12,500 miles from Figure 1). According to the Environmental its initial manufacture to its final destination. Protection Agency (EPA), materials used in During its journey from manufacturer to packaging account for about one-third of all the distributor to retailer to customer, the con- generated in the United sumer packaging and all the related transport States each year. The most widespread packag- packaging for any one product will serve many ing materials in the waste stream are paper and different purposes. Obviously, packages , metal, glass, and plastic.* contain products. They also preserve or protect the product. Packages may have special Wasted packaging has other environmental qualities that make it convenient for consumers impacts. The effects of packaging on resource to use, for retailers to display, or for distributors to ship. Some packages must be tamperproof or help prevent in Waste shoplifting. Virtually all packages communicate information—some required by law, some to help sell the product. Most consumer packaging also markets products by projecting images intended to tempt people or make them feel good about buying.

To meet such different needs, packag- ing often consists of many layers. For example, potato chip makers use bags made of as many as 19 different layers, some less than one-hundredth of an inch thick. Furthermore, individually packaged items may be packed in a separate box that is displayed on the retailer's shelf. These are often consumption and pollution was the focus of an The study cautions that, because the impacts ambitious study in the early 1990s by the Tellus are measured by weight, the impacts of Institute, a Boston-based environmental individual packages are more complicated. research group. The study sponsored by the When researchers compared individual forms state of New Jersey, looked at different types of of small juice and soft drink , and packaging: glass, aluminum, steel, five types of hamburger and microwave dinner packaging, paper, and six types of plastic. The table below some plastics and aseptic (or brick) packaging shows the resource and environmental impact came out looking “relatively good,” according of each type of packaging when assigned a to Frank Ackerman, the principal investigator. monetary cost. “This result can be understood as a confirma- tion of the importance of . (emphasis added) As attractive and valuable as recycling is, reducing the use of material is even better for the environment, in terms of production and disposal.” Trends in Packaging Changes in packaging Packaging types and packaging materials evolve constantly in response to social, eco- nomic, and environmental pressures as well as changes in technology.

Many of the biggest changes occur in . Food packaging has contributed enormously to reducing food waste and to making fresh foods available year round. Though some convenience packaging is gimmicky and faddish, the increased use of convenience packaging is in part a response to the trend of more parents working outside the home and having less time to cook.

For decades, technology and material changes have helped manufacturers produce lighter weight packaging. Manufacturers and their customers save money in resources and transportation if they get the same perfor- mance with less material.

Between 1950 and 1980, aluminum beverage cans became 60 percent lighter. Glass cut 20 percent from their weight between 1960 and 1975, and since the late 1970s, the weight of 2-liter PET plastic bottles has dropped 25 percent.4

Another important trend is toward greater use of recycled materials in packaging. Much of this advance occurs with few people ever knowing about it. Today, because of the institu- tionalization of recycling collection program and investments in recycling processing technology, more basic forms of packaging- cardboard boxes, glass bottles, metal cans, and plastic containers—contain greater amounts of post-consumer recycled content than they did a decade ago. The work is not yet done. For every new factors they would “reject products that appear lightweight, environmentally sensible package to be overpackaged.”’ that makes it to the marketplace, there are dozens of older, more wasteful packages still in According to the 1995 survey by Packaging use because a business was unwilling or didn’t Digest, “Consumers see source reduction and know enough about packaging options to make the use of recycled materials as a growing a change. Any one of the many package layers trend in solving the problem of packaging or steps in the production-marketing process waste. More than a third would like to see can offer valuable opportunities to prevent simpler packaging that uses less material, up packaging waste. slightly from last year. And 19 percent want packaging made from recycled materials, up from 17 percent in 1994. Older consumers were more strongly in favor of source reduction, onsumer attitudes while the younger generation votes for C recyclability. Despite ongoing change in the packaging field, surveys of attitudes about garbage suggest that “In order to help reduce packaging waste, 7 out the public perceives packaging as a large part of 10 households buy packages that recycle of the solid waste problem. For example, in a easily, half buy concentrated products in 1993 poll, Opinion Research Corporation asked smaller packages, and 3 out of 10 buy products randomly selected consumers for unprompted in larger sizes. Twenty percent say they are answers to a question about the “single most willing to buy unpackaged products from bulk important environmental issue.” For the first time in the five years since the poll was conducted,-solid waste (cited by 23 percent) surpassed air quality (20 percent) and (16 percent) in importance. This was especially true among eighteen to twenty-four year old respondents, who are often targeted by marketers.6

Recent consumer surveys by Packaging and Packaging Digest magazines indicate that concern about the environment plays an important role in consumer decisionmaking. Packaging magazine’s 1994 survey found that ”The recycling of used packaging has grown over the years.” An impressive 85% of the survey respondents said that recycling used packaging is ”extremely” or “somewhat important.” More than eight out of ten believe that some products use too much packaging, and about one-third of the respon- dents said that regardless of other ...... bins, and nearly 40 percent will reject packages Voluntary industry action that appear to be overpackaged."8 Washington state government has so far chosen not to take a punitive or regulatory approach to packaging waste, preferring instead to work closely with industry organizations to encour- Governmental responses age voluntary action. The Waste Not Washing- The presence of some types of packaging in ton Act, passed by the legislature in 1989, municipal solid waste streams has caused established waste prevention and recycling as many local, state, and national governments to priorities for waste management. The act also establish policies and programs to address the established a Packaging Task Force that studied issues involved. issues related to packaging waste. The Task Force took note of favorable trends in packag- Governments throughout the US., Canada, ing and urged continued cooperation with and Europe have used a range of policy industry. Snohomish County, through the options to provide incentives for or put pres- Packaging Waste Prevention Project, highlights sure on manufacturers and others to reduce this approach of working with business to packaging waste in the waste stream. Some address packaging waste problems. governments have opted for outright bans on certain types of packaging (e.g., single-serve or This is also the approach taken by the Council disposable food packaging) or on types of of Northeastem Govemors (CONEG), which packaging materials (e.g., packag- represents nine northeastem states. Supporters ing for fast food containers). Others have argue that the voluntary approach is more placed special fees, taxes, or other levies on flexible, allowing businesses an opportunity to particular types of packaging that are not adapt independent solutions that take into recyclable or that may pose toxic threats. Such account local conditions and the needs of their levies may also be used on types of packaging customers. that create additional burdens on the commu- nity, such as litter. Deposit laws in " bill" states are examples of such an approach.

Finally some governments in Canada and Europe are moving toward laws that require manufacturers and others to be responsible for all the costs (disposal, recycling, etc.) associ- ated with the waste created by their packaging. The manufacturer responsibility or steward- ship approach uses the "polluter pays" prin- ciple, or in this case the "manufacturer of waste pays." Proponents of this approach argue that such efforts will internalize the costs of waste packaging, allowing the free market economy to create price signals that will encourage companies to prevent wasteful products and packaging.

Packaging Waste Prevention Principles

The following basic principles help prevent liminate unnecessary packaging waste. These principles have been E developed, tested, and championed by the packaging leading makers of packaging, trade associa- Go into any retail store, and you will likely see tions, and solid waste management agencies.9 many products sold without a package everything from oranges to sweaters to ham- mers. Just as likely, however, you will also find products that were sold for decades without packaging now boxed, wrapped or - ized.

The modem American marketplace, with its emphasis on information, marketing, bar codes and security, often makes it difficult to sell products without packaging. Nonetheless, with The principles described here should be treated consideration and thought, many products can as a type of hierarchy, meaning they are listed still be sold as is-nowrapper -without in order of priority. If different packaging jeopardizing the product's integrity or market- options conflict with one another, choose the ability. one that results in less waste generation or resource use—the option higher on the list. For Equally important for businesses, it is often example, a company with the option to use a possible to eliminate one or more of the many recycled/recyclable package versus a refillable layers of packaging that now surround prod- package should choose a refillable package ucts from the time they are manufactured to made from the least amount of material the time they are consumed. possible.

Choose refillable or materials and support in other applications Refillable packaging is returned to a manufac- turer or supplier and used again for its original purpose. Reusable packaging is designed to be used again, for the same product or for a different product or application than originally intended.

Some consumer packaging is designed to be refillable (e.g., detergent bottles that are refilled from concentrate products) or reusable (e.g., jelly that become juice ). Some of the biggest opportunities for refillable or reusable packaging arise in the form of trans- port packaging, moving materials or products from manufacturer to distributor, or from distributor to retailer. Here are some tips to keep in mind: Adapt manufacturing and distribution sys- tems to allow for greater use of refillable pack- aging. Watch for specific, sometimes limited, oppor- Use recyclable tunities to employ refillable or reusable pack- packaging or recycled aging (e. g . , repeat customers) . Store and reuse the packaging materials you content packaging receive. Packaging should be made of materials that Design packages for reuse and show custom- are generally recycled in most communities, ers how to take advantage of this "extra meaning there is a well-developed system for value." collecting, processing, and remarketing the material. Package designs should take into account ba- sic issues of recyclability (i.e., , tape, seals, inks, closures). Materials should not be combined or bound unnecessarily. Make packaging components easy to separate for recycling. As much as possible, packaging should be made of materials that contain the highest pro- portion of post-consumer recycled content.

Tips for Preventing Packaging Waste

General steps Packaging waste prevention goals should have due dates or deadline goals, and they should be consistent with other company goals. For greater success, relate packaging goals to other important goals, such as business purpose, productivity, and profitability.

Teamwork Make a commitment Work with as many affected departments or Ask managers or decisionmakers for a commit- individuals as practical. Make sure that any ment to include among department or individual who might be an the criteria for choosing packaging. The obstacle is consulted about goals and plans. company may already have an environmental Because packaging serves diverse needs, many policy statement. Now is a good opportunity to different people may need a voice in the plan put it to work to prevent packaging waste. and a stake in achieving the goals. (See Case Study #5.) If your company doesn’t have such a policy statement, here’s a sample to get you started: Stay flexible “Our company recognizes our responsibility to Because many factors affect a company’s respect and preserve the earth‘s precious decisions about packaging, one should remem- resources. It is our goal to make choices that ber that there is no “one best packaging demonstrate a spirit of partnership and reflect solution” or, on the flip side, no “worst-of-all- our interdependent relationship with the earth. evils packaging system,” though everyone As part of this responsibility, we are committed probably has a few candidates to nominate. to pursuing environmentally sound packaging Stay flexible, listen to all points of view, get the programs based on the principles of package best information and options available, and elimination, minimization, reusability, make progress toward your goals. recyclability, and recycled content wherever possible.” Inform and motivate Make sure people in your company, from Set realistic goals bottom to top, know about the company’s Get a clear idea of what you want to accom- commitment to preventing packaging waste. plish-whatthings are most important? Goals This can be done through company bulletins, should be high enough to motivate, yet realis- newsletters, signs and posters, messages on tic, so people can reach them. To the extent company forms, E-mail notices, or other possible, goals should be set to: available means. minimize or reduce packaging (see “Product to Package Ratio”) and Motivation can be developed through effective use more post-consumer recycled content in messages and incentives. Incentives may be packaging. especially effective in drawing out suggestions for packaging waste prevention from employees. Measure progress decreases in recycling of packaging could be As with all business activity, it is important to another measure. Be sure to include savings in track and measure progress. Product to pack- materials, labor, storage, transportation, age ratio is one potential measure of progress. customer satisfaction, and other factors unique Savings in waste disposal and increases or to your business when calculating overall costs and benefits. discarded materials to dumpsters or recycling Incoming packaging containers. Due to experience, they can detect overpackaged materials or wasteful suppliers. waste Ask for their help and, if appropriate, offer incentives or bonuses to solicit their ideas.

In addition, buyers and procurement agents within the company are good sources of information about suppliers and procedures.

Identify target materials What packaging materials are being disposed or recycled by significant volume or weight? This can be determined by conducting waste audits of company departments or by conduct- ing a brief “dumpster dive” to identify particu- larly troublesome waste materials. Sometimes, conducting audits of the purchasing depart- ment will provide useful information about the volumes of different products being purchased and the implications this may have for packaging.

Get help from people in the know Line workers and employees in receiving areas are in the position to identify wasteful packag- ing. .They usually unload boxes and haul Involve suppliers always be able to accommodate your request, You are the customer. You have the power of but sometimes simply asking for what you your checkbook. Ask all of your suppliers to: want is all it takes. share your company's commitment, identify and use less wasteful packaging al- A standard clause for use in your bid forms or ternatives, and order specifications could read like this: spread the news that preventing packaging "Preference will be given to suppliers that use waste helps the community. environmentally sound packaging practices: for example, no packaging; reusable, return- A sample form and letter to get cooperation able, or recyclable packaging; or packaging from suppliers are below and on the next page. containing recycled content." Please feel free to use these in your own program. Get and use feedback Make sure that information flows from the Communicate procurement people who have it to the people who can use preferences it. In the case of packaging, the best example is When you request bids or send purchase the need for information exchange between the orders, let your vendors know what you do or people who purchase goods and specify don't want in their packaging. They may not appropriate packaging and the people who receive the company's packaged goods.

Apply the waste prevention Outgoing packaging hierarchy to each waste product/package For each layer, material, step, or process related to the product and package, ask how the goals of the hierarchy could be met. Don't stop with your own assessment. If possible, invite competing packaging vendors to give you their ideas and use this information to supplement your overall assessment. Alternatively, hire a packaging engineer or consultant to gather and analyze the necessary information and develop Identify waste prevention new packaging alternatives. opportunities List all the packaging materials purchased or used by your company for different products. In-house coordination Prioritize packaging into categories: change as Involve as many affected individuals or soon as possible, look at later, and necessary departments as practical throughout the for the time being. process, especially at critical stages. Too often, motivated individuals within a company see the opportunity for waste prevention and marshal forces behind useful changes, only to see their efforts thwarted because they failed to get input from a key player early in the pro- cess.

Test your new packaging ideas Planning, cost comparisons, meetings, and "what if's" only go so far. Work with packaging suppliers to develop working samples of packaging that meet your economic, perfor- mance and environmental needs. Many times new improvements, solutions, problems and questions come up during the trial phase.

Assess packaging needs List all the functions or specifications that the packaging must meet (see sample Needs Assessment form on the next page). As dis- cussed previously, packaging must often satisfy a range of needs for protection, conve- nience, marketing, and communication. Identify and quantify the specific requirements as much as possible.

Other Packaging Materials

Barrels and Buckets for shipping Used Heavy-Duty Bulk Sling Bags and storage (Sling bulk bags can carry up to 2,500 Carton Service, Inc. pounds and hold more than 35 cubic feet 1141 Andover Park W of goods) Tukwila, WA 98188 The Connection 206-575-9111 PO. Box 817 Newberg, OR 97132 C.I.R.C.L.E.S. 503-538-8180 PO. Box 1177 Snohomish, WA 98291-1177 206-334-9644 Airbox RAE Marketing, Inc. NW Cooperage Co., Inc. PO. Box 70253 7152 1st Avenue S. Bellevue, WA 98007 Seattle, WA 98108 206-641-6989 206-763-2345 Reusable Seattle Co. for Soft Drinks 4716 Airport Way S. International Container Systems, Inc. Seattle, WA 98108 5401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 760 206-622-7218 Tampa,FL 33609 8 13-287-8940 Fruit Packaging and Furniture Padding Two-way Michaelson Packaging Griffin P.O. Box 89 4301 E. Marginal Way S. Yakima, WA 98907 Seattle, WA 98134-1198 209-248-6270 206-682-4400

“Milkcrates” Bread Trays and Sheppard Envelope Beverage Trays P.O. Box 15068 Rehrig Pacific Worcester, MA 01615 4010 E. 26th Street 800-325-6622 Los Angeles, WA 90023 800-421-6244 . Snohomish County does not make any representa- Coil Separators and Corner Boards tion or warranties regarding these companies. The names in this publication are provided as a service RePlastec to the public as possible sources for alternative Erie Industrial Park, Bldg. 460 packaging. This is only a partial listing and Port Clinton, OH 43452 Snohomish County is not recommending these 419-635-4000 companies over any others. 419-635-4004 Other Resources

D irectories Recycled Products Guide (1995) The Packaging Waste Reduction Guide: Minimiz- Clean Washington Center ing Solid Waste Through Efficient Procurement 2001 Sixth Ave., Ste. 2700 Practices, Federation of Canadian Municipali- Seattle, WA 98121 ties, 1994. 206-587-5520 The Total Package: The Evolution and Secret Reusable Transport Packaging Directory Meaning of Boxes, Bottles, Cans, and Tubes, by (February 1994) Thomas Hine, Little, Brown and Co., Boston, Minnesota Office of Waste Management 1995. 1350 Energy Lane, Suite 201 St. Paul, MN 55108 612-649-5750 or 800-657-3843 Periodicals European Packaging Newsletter & World Report Books/Reports Contact: 703-519-3907 Case Reopened: Reassessing Refillable Bottles, David Saphire, INFORM, Inc., New York, 1994. Packaging Reader Service Dept., Computer Center CSG/Tellus Packaging Study: Assessing the P.O. Box 5661 impacts of production and disposal of packaging Denver, CO 80217-9935 and public policy measures to alter the mix, Tellus Institute, Council of State Governments, Packaging Digest Lexington, KY, 1992. 650 S. Clark St., 6th Floor Chicago, IL 60605 Delivering the Goods: Benefits of Reusable Shipping Containers, David Saphire, INFORM, Inc., New Packaging Strategies York, 1994. 122 so. church St. West Chester, PA 19382 Green Products by Design: Choices for a Cleaner 610-436-4220 or 800-524-PACK Environment, Congress of the United States, Office of Technology Assessment (OTA-E-541), October 1992.

Handbook for Environmentally Responsible Packaging in the Electronics Industry, The Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling of Protective Packaging (R3P2) Task Group, July 1992. For more information, contact the Institute for Packaging Professionals (see "Organizations")

Packaging and Solid Waste: Management Strate- gies, Lewis Erwin and L. Hall Healy, Jr., Ameri- can Management Association, 1990. Organizations National Recycling Coalition, Inc. Council on Plastics and Packaging in the 1727 King St., Ste. 105 Environment Alexandria, VA 22314 1275 K St. NW, Ste. 300 703-683-9025 Washington, DC 20005 703-683-9026 (fax) 202-789-1310 National Wooden and Fibre Box Association Container Association 2850 Golf Road 1800 North Kent St., Ste. 911 Rolling Meadows, IL 60008 Arlington, VA 22209 312-364-9600 703-527-7667

Flexible Packaging Association Paper and Paperboard 1090 Vermont Ave. NW, Ste. 500 Environmental Council Washington, DC 20005 701 Evans Ave., Ste. 400 202-842-3880 Etobicoke, Ontario 202-842-3841 (fa) Canada, M9C 1A3 4 16-626-0350 Glass Packaging Institute 416-626-7054 1801 K St. Washington, DC 20006 Polystyrene Packaging Council 202-887-4850 1025 Connecticut Ave. NW, Ste. 515 Washington, DC 20036 Institute of Packaging Professionals 202-822-6424 481 Carlisle Dr. 202-331-0250 (fax) Herndon, VA 22070 703-318-8970 703-318-0310 (fax) References

1. Robert E Testin, “Packaging: Its Forms and 6. The Total Package: The Evolution and Secret Functions,” presented at “The Science of Pack- Meaning of Boxes, Bottles, Cans, and Tubes, by aging: Beyond Store Shelves and ” Thomas Hine, Little, Brown and Co., Boston, training program, Auburn, WA, October 14, 1995. 1994. 7. “Consumers Want It All-AndNow,” 2. Packaging and Solid Waste: Management Packaging, August 1994, pp. 40-43. Strategies, Lewis Erwin and L. Hall Healy, Jr., American Management Association, 1990. 8. “Consumers Rate Packaging Traits,” Packaging Digest, July 1995, pp. 22-25. 3. Frank Ackerman, “Analyzing the True Costs of Packaging,” BiocycIe, April 1993, pp. 68-70. 9. The packaging waste prevention policies described here, or a similar set, have been 4. Alter, H., "The Future Course of Solid Waste endorsed by the following organizations: Management in the U.S.,“ Waste Management Council of Northeastem Governors & Resources, September 1991, pp. 3-20. Institute of Packaging Professionals Washington Retail Association 5. In a published letter from McDonalds The electronics industry, through its Corporation to Bill Anderson, Seattle Reduction, Reuse and Recycling of Chamber of Commerce, May 2,1994. Protective Packaging Task Force Grocery industry associations Fast-Food Restaurants Association