Curbside Recyclable Packaging

While the exact definition of curbside recycling varies widely depending on where you live, it generally means any materials that are collected at the home and sent to recycling centers.

Most of our products are made from 100% recycled material, and as much of it is made from curbside recycled materials as possible. We call this “post-consumer” recycled content.

A large portion of our packaging is also curbside recyclable, meaning they can be collected at the home and sent to recycling centers. While the materials accepted by your local recycling service will vary, when it comes to packaging the most prevalent materials are paper, cardboard and plastic.

One of the biggest keys to increasing recycling, and therefore decreasing use of virgin materials, is to make it easier for the consumer. Curbside recyclable packaging does just that.

Currently about 70% of cardboard boxes shipped commercially are recovered and recycled, and a good portion of them are made from recycled materials in the first place.

Where it gets a little tricky is with plastic packaging, which is ubiquitous in void fill and weather-resistant poly mailers. It doesn’t have to be tricky, however. We’re proud to offer comprehensive curbside recyclable packaging solutions to satisfy any shipping need- mostly composed of recycled materials themselves.

If you’re familiar with EcoEnclose, you’ll know that we firmly believe that recycled content matters.

Packaging and goods that are made with recycled materials use less energy and water to create, resulting in less pollution than virgin material. The second priority in our framework is recyclable, with curbside recyclable being the optimal end of life scenario. Why?

Curbside recyclable packaging typically means that more people will recycle, increasing the odds that the raw materials don’t end up in the landfill and are reused - which means we save even more trees, water, power and oil. This is particularly true when it comes to cardboard packaging.

It is important to note that many materials that aren’t “curbside recyclable” are still very recyclable. With plastic packaging, like the ubiquitous poly mailer, the plastic film involved is actually not technically any less recyclable than rigid plastic. But, because it gets caught in the gears of sorting equipment at recycling centers, most curbside programs cannot accept the material.

Thanks to emerging technologies however, some places like Los Angeles and Montreal have started accepting plastic film in curbside recycling bins. This is a huge positive step towards dramatically reducing the amount of virgin material used in packaging. The world of recycling is constantly adapting, and EcoEnclose is proud to be at the forefront.