Retailer Guide | Target
GUIDE TO TARGET'S PACKAGING AND SUSTAINABILITY REQUIREMENTS
You can set your brand apart by exceeding Target’s sustainable packaging vision and designing your packaging to align with the Target Zero framework.
Our guide is here to help set your brand up for success when working with Target. In this guide, you’ll find an overview of Target’s sustainable packaging requirements, overall impact goals, tips for updating your packaging, and more.
For individual guidance about creating sustainable packaging that stands out at Target, contact us, and we’ll be happy to help.
Table of Contents
Target's Sustainability Goals
Target has a broad “Target Forward” sustainability vision, focusing on equity and inclusivity, circularity, zero waste, and low carbon efforts.
They have only set explicit sustainable packaging goals for its private-label brands (such as All in Motion, Mondo Llama, and Everspring). These goals include:
- Reducing virgin plastic packaging by weight
- Ensuring all packaging is recyclable, compostable, or reusable
Target has also launched Target Zero, a category promoting sustainable brands. Brands interested in being part of this collection should look to make its packaging:
- Reusable and/or refillable
- From less plastic (or no plastic)
- With recycled content
- Or compostable
How EcoEnclose Helps Brands Working With Target
EcoEnclose is well-positioned to help brands design their packaging to align with the Target Zero framework. Reach out to us if you’d like support:
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Replacing plastic packaging with paper alternatives
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Maximizing recyclability:
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Moving multi-layered films to mono-material, recyclable film pouches
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Creating easy-to-separate blister packs, clam shells, and boxes with windows
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Matching label material to the primary substrate to maximize recyclability
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Eliminating coatings on paper packaging
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Navigating How2Recycle® labeling
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Maximizing post-consumer waste across all materials
About Target
Target is a retail corporation headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Target is the seventh-largest retailer in the United States, operating nearly 2,000 stores nationwide.
The company is known for carrying upscale, trendy merchandise at lower costs, and sells a wide variety of products such as:
- Clothing
- Household goods
- Groceries
- Packaged foods
- Electronics
- Pet products
- Toys
- Beauty and cosmetic products
In addition to its suppliers, Target also manages multiple private-label brands, including:
- Good & Gather
- Market Pantry
- Embark
- Room Essentials
- up&up
- Cat and Jack
- Wild Fable
- Smartly
Having your products carried at Target can expose your brand to a broader customer base and give you access to an established network of retail locations.
Whether you are working with Target or aiming to do so, keep reading for tips on designing packaging that can help you land the deal and elevate your shelf presence and promotion with the retailer.
Deeper Dive: Target's Sustainability Goals and Commitments
Source: Target
Under the umbrella of its Target Forward initiative, Target's sustainability vision is " to create an equitable and regenerative future with our guests, partners and communities.”
They aim to achieve this vision by creating and elevating sustainable brands, innovating to eliminate waste, and accelerating opportunity and equity.
Target’s sustainability goals include:
By 2030, build a team that equitably reflects the communities they serve, beginning with our commitment to increasing Black team member representation across the company by 20% by 2023.
By 2030, be the market leader for creating and curating inclusive, sustainable brands and experiences.
By 2040, 100% of owned brand products will be designed for a circular future - designing to eliminate waste, using materials that are regenerative, recycled, or sourced sustainably, to create products that are more durable, easily repaired, or recyclable.
By 2040, be a net zero enterprise – zero waste to landfill in U.S. operations and net zero emissions across both operations and supply chain, inclusive of scopes 1, 2, and 3.
One of Target’s primary strategies to support these goals is aligning itself with almost ten industry groups and non-profits.
They have also made some modest investments in circularity-focused initiatives, such as its hanger recycling efforts, and have set strategies to make its packaging more circular. Specifically, its efforts include:
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation leads this commitment in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme. In 2020, they developed a research-based packaging strategy grounded in its NPE commitments.
The strategy focuses on (1) eliminating problematic plastic packaging, (2) moving into more recyclable materials, (3) increasing its use of post-consumer recycled content, and (4) pursuing design opportunities to reduce or eliminate packaging.
It claims to be working with its National Brands to achieve these goals, though they still need a publicly available brand guidance document.
Signing onto the U.S. Plastics Pact.
The pact focuses on:
(1) eliminating a defined list of problematic or unnecessary packaging,
(2) ensuring all plastic packaging is 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable,
(3) building more effective systems to recycle or compost 50% of plastic packaging, and
(4) having 30% of all plastic packaging made with recycled or responsibly sourced bio-based content.
Reducing waste from checkout bags.
These efforts include making plastic bags at Target’s checkout lanes out of a minimum of 40% recycled content, allowing guests to recycle any single-use plastic bags at in-store recycling kiosks, and giving guests reusable bag options to purchase with a five-cent discount for each reusable bag used at checkout.
Becoming a founding member of the Consortium to Reinvent the Retail Bag.
This consortium aims to identify, pilot, and implement innovative alternative designs for the single-use retail bag. This initiative now includes 13 partners, including CVS Health and Walmart.
Building a closed-loop reuse program for plastic garment hangers.
After multiple uses (often seven or more), each hanger is repaired or ground down to make new hangers in a waste-free loop.
Becoming a strategic partner to the Global Fashion Agenda.
Target works to support its efforts to mobilize the international fashion industry to minimize textile waste and reduce the use of plastic in fabrics, like those containing synthetic fibers such as recycled polyester.
Partnering with Circ to reduce textile waste.
Circ is a textile-to-textile recycling project, where they take end-of-season, overstock, and end-of-life textiles and, with Circ, convert them into new raw materials.
Creating recycling stations at its stores.
Target promotes recycling by implementing recycling stations for everything from cans to glass to ink cartridges and electronics.
Creating its car seat trade-in program.
Through this program, guests can bring unwanted car seats to its local Target store for recycling and to get discounts on new baby gear.
Replacing polystyrene packaging.
Target is working with suppliers and other partners to find better options for polystyrene packaging, considering the performance, cost, and availability of materials.
Establishing a forest products policy.
Through this policy, Target aims to understand the origin of the raw materials that go into paper-based packaging and improve the sustainability of forests where the timber used to produce them was growing. They are focused on six of its owned brands: Spritz, Pillowfort, Cat & Jack, up & up, Smith & Hawken, and Threshold.
Adding a How2Recycle® label to 1,700+ product packages.
They claim to have done more SKUs through these efforts than any other retailer. They continue to look for ways to place the label on more of our owned brand packaging whenever space allows.
Becoming the first retailer to join The Recycling Partnership.
This partnership is investing in bringing curbside recycling to more underserved communities.
Joining two industry efforts to help invest in circularity.
Target aims to enhance circularity and increase the rate of recycling - Material Recovery Facility of the Future and Beyond 34.
Launching Target Certified Refurbished.
This program takes items out of Target’s salvage stream, refurbishes them, and brings them back into Target's inventory online.
Engaging Target team members in volunteering.
Volunteers contributed a million hours in 2023, helping improve communities and advance social initiatives.
Target Zero & Target Clean
Like some other retailers, Target has created an umbrella for products they have deemed to be more sustainable. Its Target Zero line features hundreds of products from brands, including Burt’s Bees, PLUS, Pacifica, Grove Co., and Everspring, a Target private label brand.
While Target has not released a clear framework for suppliers to follow to get its products into the Target Zero line, products in this collection are shoppable through six different attributes:
| Reusable | Packaging or product designed with the intention of reuse at end-of-life |
| Refillable | Packaging or product intended to refill |
| Reduced Plastic | Packaging switched from plastic to paper, glass, aluminum, or steel with wider recyclability access |
| Recycled Content | Packaging or product contains at least 30% post-consumer recycled content |
| Waterless or Concentrated | Product contains less water through concentrates or powders |
| Compostable Element | Product or packaging contains a compostable element |
While not directly related to packaging sustainability, another label the brand features is “Target Clean.” This label features cruelty-free products and is free from ingredients on Target’s chemicals of concern list, such as phthalates, musks, and PFAS.
Target Clean includes:
- Clean Beauty
- Clean Household Essentials
- Clean Baby Products
- Clean Health Care
- Clean Pet Products
Target also has an accelerator program for retail startups. Target Accelerators offers “full-spectrum support for curious, innovative and driven founders.”
They have two programs under this umbrella: Forward Founders for early-stage brands and Takeoff for mid-level brands looking for mass scale.
While the accelerator does not lead with sustainability, brands in recent cohorts generally have a forward-thinking approach to their products, community contributions, ethics, and sustainability.
Packaging Requirements for Target Supplier Brands
As part of its Target Forward work, they have set sustainable packaging goals solely for its private-label brands across the food, beauty, and essential businesses.
Its specific focus is on:
1. Reducing the total volume of virgin plastic packaging by 20% across these owned brands - measured against its total plastic packaging baseline volume in these categories in 2020.
2. Designing 100% of its owned brand packaging to be recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025.
Target has not published sustainable packaging requirements outside its specific goals for its owned, private-label brands.
Its only publicly available guidance documents for suppliers are its Standards of Vendor Engagement (SOVE), which require all vendors to abide by clear supply chain standards. SOVE covers Ethical Business Practices, Health & Safety, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking, and Illegal Dumping, but does not focus on sustainability requirements.
Despite this lack of specific guidance for packaging sustainability, brands can use elements of Target’s Target Zero line as a goal:
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Reusable or Refillable: Where it makes sense for your brand’s products and business model, you may consider implementing refillable packaging or designing packaging elements that customers can effectively reuse for other purposes.
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Reduced Plastic: Look for ways to reduce plastic use, particularly virgin plastic. Thoughtfully evaluate replacing plastic with alternative materials such as recycled paper, glass, or aluminum.
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Recycled Content: Prioritize recycled materials in all packaging to promote greater circularity and reduce resource consumption.
In addition to working to comply with Target’s sustainable packaging guidelines, we encourage brands to consider the following:
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Maximizing recycled content across all materials, especially post-consumer content
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Choosing responsibly sourced and/or certified Virgin inputs when required
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Designing for ready recyclability, including curbside and thin film packaging
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Avoiding “compostable” plastic packaging that is rarely environmentally preferable
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Evaluating opportunities for reusable packaging thoughtfully
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Reducing waste through swaps like zero waste label release liners
- Piloting innovative materials like Black Algae Ink or Seaweed Film Windows
Frequently Asked Questions About Target
What are Target’s sustainable packaging requirements?
Target does not have a published set of sustainable packaging requirements for suppliers. However, brands can use the Target Zero label requirements as a guidepost. This may include implementing reusable or refillable packaging, eliminating single-use plastic, and maximizing recycled content.
Has Target banned any packaging materials?
Target has not currently listed any specific bans on packaging materials. However, brands can align with the company’s vision for a healthier planet by avoiding materials that are difficult to recycle, contain chemicals of concern, or have a negative environmental impact.
Does Target require third-party certifications?
Target does not currently require third-party certifications to sell products in its stores. However, implementing How2Recycle® labeling in its owned brands has been one of its priorities, and brands can stand out by proactively seeking this labeling.
How can I start selling products at Target?
Interested suppliers should fill out Target’s Supplier Intake Form, which requests basic information about your brand and products. After this, Target’s internal teams will review your application and identify ways Target can support your business. This may include participation in one of its Target Accelerator programs.
EcoEnclose Is Ready To Help Your Brand
To increase your packaging’s recycled content, we can help you:
Convert your brand’s paperboard packaging and retail folding cartons to 100% recycled materials.
Ensure any thin film packaging in your brand’s line is made with 100% recycled materials. Where relevant, bring in third-party verification of these claims.
Convert all of your brand’s product labels to recycled facestock. Our paper facestock can be 100% recycled, and our poly face stocks can be up to 90% recycled.
Maximizing Recyclability
We can help you improve your packaging’s recycling compatibility by:
Helping brands currently using multi-layered pouches (which are not recyclable) to transition to mono-material pouches that are either curbside recyclable or thin-film recyclable.
Maximizing recyclability of rigid packaging by eliminating or reducing the use of two or more different materials (such as plastic and paper or foil and paper).
When two materials are required (such as a retail folding carton with a plastic window), we can help brands design this packaging in a recycle-compatible way, making it easy for consumers to separate the two materials.
Reducing Plastic
With Target’s focus on eliminating polystyrene in its private label brand packaging, national and regional brands should also work to eliminate this problematic material. EcoEnclose helps swap this with alternatives like molded pulp, corrugated inserts, and honeycomb paper.
How2Recycle® Labeling
Target has boasted of having the most products labeled with the How2Recycle® guidance of any retailer. Your brand will also be well served to pursue H2R labeling, which is a step EcoEnclose can support you with.
Increasing Reusability
In certain instances, EcoEnclose can help you replace plastic and paper with reusable alternatives, such as cloth bag protection.
Custom Branding
Target prioritizes an upscale aesthetic in its stores, and EcoEnclose can help you refresh or develop packaging that stands out on Target shelves.
Our unique Sustainable Packaging Framework helps streamline decision-making, and our rigorous standards for all products ensure your packaging meets and exceeds the sustainability standards set by Target. We leverage our experience working with hundreds of brands, from the smallest startups to the most robust enterprise brands, to help you create a working packaging strategy.
To get started, request free samples, explore our extensive resource library, or get in touch for a free consultation.About EcoEnclose
EcoEnclose is the leading sustainable packaging company that provides eco-packaging solutions to the world’s most forward-thinking brands.
We develop diverse, sustainable packaging solutions that meet our rigorous research-based standards and customers’ goals. We drive innovative packaging materials to market and consistently improve the circularity of existing solutions.