New Residential Recycling Initiative
Manufacturers and brands across the industry are coming together with a consumer-focused residential recycling program, Box to Nature, to encourage consumers to recycle more often – and to do it the right way.
Changing Consumer Behavior
According to eMarketer, e-commerce sales are projected to reach $1.3 trillion in 2025. The increasing number of shipping boxes arriving on consumers' doorsteps this year and in years to come makes residential recycling more important than ever. Yet 2 in 3 consumers confess to not always recycling, and nearly half think some aspect of recycling is difficult - leading to feelings of guilt and only an estimated 40% of consumer recyclable material being recovered as more and more boxes end up in the landfill.
In collaboration with the manufacturers of sustainable paper-based packaging, we saw an opportunity to improve residential recycling messaging. The Box to Nature program has a more effective message and aims to improve consumers' recycling behavior and help Mother Nature, too.
IMPROVE BRAND PERCEPTION BY BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION
Box makers can make a difference by offering this program to their e-commerce and DTC customers – and brand owners can reap the benefit of adding the Box to Nature mark to their boxes. A win-win as consumers feel appreciated for recycling more and doing their part. The Box to Nature recycling label shows consumers that industry and brands are part of the solution.
We all own the responsibility for the planet’s sustainability – but with 62% of consumers expecting brands and the government to take more ownership, amplifying your brand’s own sustainability story is increasingly important. The Box to Nature mark shows consumers that you are part of the solution.
“We are excited to participate in Box to Nature program, reminding consumers at “point of package” to empty, flatten and recycle! This is an important industry initiative that will help improve residential recycling rates!”
- BRYAN HOLLENBACH, EVP, Green Bay Packaging
TESTED TO DRIVE ENGAGEMENT
QR CODE DRIVES TO ENGAGING CONSUMER EXPERIENCE
MAKING SURE THE MESSAGE GETS SEEN
Millions of boxes reach consumer’s homes daily, bringing them the goods they want and need. Existing recycling labels, typically placed on the bottom of the box, lack the impact of a simple, but compelling message located on the top inside minor flap. This rarely utilized location on the box hits the consumer as they open the box.
Once exposed to the recycling message, our research indicates that 75% of consumers would be more likely to recycle their boxes.
GET THE BOX TO NATURE MARK
If you are a box maker, sign up today to offer this free program to your customers. To get started email us at box2nature@paperandpackaging.org.
If you are a brand owner who ships your products to consumers homes, contact your box supplier to learn how you can pe part of this program – adding the Box to Nature mark to your shipping boxes and paper packaging.
The need to recycle boxes is bigger than any one company. Through the Box to Nature program, we are coming together for the better of the planet to reinforce the importance of properly recycling and ensure we raise the residential recovery of recyclable material, collecting more fiber to make more boxes!
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Download our frequently asked questions guide for more details about the Box to Nature program.
Contact us at box2nature@paperandpackaging.org
ABOUT THE PAPER AND PACKAGING BOARD
The Box to Nature program is an industry-level effort, led by the Paper and Packaging Board. Our goal is to build preference and a favorable marketplace for paper and paper-based packaging. Funded by more than 40 U.S. manufacturers and importers of paper products, and overseen by the USDA, we have sponsored this industry-funded program and a consumer sustainability initiative to engage customer and drive real change. Learn more about the Paper and Packaging Board.