Packaging

Other Resources

International Requirements

A primer on international requirements for packaging. Many countries have implemented environmental packaging requirements. These requirements differ greatly from the current regulations in the United States, but their impact on US goods sold abroad cannot be ignored. Failure to adhere to the packaging requirements set out by US trading partners can lead to poor cost-competitiveness of goods imported from the US, enforcement measures, and poor public image, especially as environmental consciousness continues to grow.

• International Requirements PDF

Life Cycle Assessment of Drinking Water Delivery Options

Information on DEQ's life cycle analysis comparing various methods of delivering drinking water. The study evaluates different types of reusable and single-use containers for consuming water.

• View the Life Cycle Assessment of Drinking Water Systems: Bottled Water, Tap Water, and Home/Office Delivery Water Final Report

Life Cycle Inventory Analysis of E-Commerce Packaging

Information on the life cycle inventory analysis of e-commerce packaging, commissioned by Oregon DEQ:

• Short summary (2 pages) PDF
• Longer summary (5 pages) PDF
• Full report and appendices (500+ pages)
  Link to web page containing downloadable sections or full report.

Environmental Marketing

Information on environmental marketing claims, including the Federal Trade Commission's "Revised Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims" and ISO 14020.

• Environmental Marketing Claims PDF

Links

Useful Packaging Links:

• Alliance for Environmental Innovation
  Link to packaging waste reduction projects with McDonald’s, Starbucks, and UPS.
• Hewlett-Packard
  HP’s “Guideline for Environmentally Responsible Packaging.”
• Institute of Packaging Professionals
  A professional organization for those who work in the packaging industry.
• Peanut Hotline
  Award-winning program that facilitates the re-use of expanded polystyrene loosefill “peanuts”.
• Packaging Waste Prevention Project – Evaluation Report
  Evaluation of DEQ and Metro’s packaging waste prevention project for business users of packaging.
• Sustainable Packaging Coalition
  A working group of packaging professionals whose mission is to advocate and communicate a positive, robust environmental vision for packaging; and to leverage innovative, functional packaging materials and systems that support economic and environmental health.
• University of California, Santa Barbara
  Environmental Packaging Guideline for the Electronics Industry.

Other Public Agencies:

• Use Reusables
  Case studies, cost comparison and other resources promoting reusable transport packaging. A project of the StopWaste partnership and the Reusable Packaging Association.
• State of California
  A web site on packaging waste reduction, including links to many other packaging case studies.
• Reusable Transport Packaging Directory (Minnesota)
  An online directory of reusable transport packaging options.
• Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board (Minnesota)
  Reusable Transport Packaging: There’s a Better Way

[print version]