Breaking Down the Box: A Look at the Labels on Ziploc® Brand Packaging

Just as you read ingredient lists to make sure what you are purchasing at the supermarket is good for your health, you can read other labels to get a picture of environmental impact.

Take a look at the packaging of Ziploc® brand bags to see just what the box is telling you.

1. An increasing number of household brands are including important information on their packaging to better explain how you can dispose of it. For example, Ziploc®’s new packaging contains information about how Ziploc® brand bags and the packaging itself can be recycled. This new label is part of How2Recycle, a program developed by GreenBlue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable packaging. This voluntary labeling system helps explain exactly how products and their packaging can be recycled, in an effort to eliminate any confusion.

Any time you see these three chasing arrows in a triangle formation, it means that all or part of the package and its contents are recyclable. In this case, there are two chasing-arrow icons. The icon with “BOX” underneath it shows that the cardboard box is recyclable with other paper goods. The icon with “BAGS” underneath it shows that the plastic bags within are recyclable with plastic products at a store drop-off facility (note the special instructions to “Recycle if Clean & Dry”).

Keep reading to see what else the box says.