By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
Plastic waste is a massive problem for the licensing and manufacturing industries, but increasingly companies are adopting sustainable practices, including improvements to recycling programs.
Now the pop culture consumer products company Funko has announced it is the newest partner with How2Recycle.
How2Recycle is a standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. The organization says variation in recycling programs, unclear labeling, and inaccurate recyclability claims make proper recycling a challenge.
The How2Recycle label was created to provide consistent and transparent on-package recycling information to consumers in North America.
As a new member of the How2Recycle organization, buyers can now see the How2Recycle label on Pop! vinyl products, which includes standard size Pop! figures, pocket keychains, Pop! Rides, Pop! Deluxe, Pop! Jumbo and more.
The new How2Recycle label featured on Funko’s products informs consumers that the outer cardboard box can be recycled curbside in most communities across the U.S. If the product’s packaging includes a blister window, consumers should remove the window from the cardboard box and check their local recycling guidelines to confirm how to dispose of the window blister.
“Funko is committed to contributing to a healthier planet and the company is proud to partner with How2Recycle to educate fans on how to recycle our product packaging properly,” said Funko President Andrew Perlmutter. “We hope that this small step will empower our consumers to make healthy choices for our planet in an effort to sustain it for generations to come.”
The How2Recycle label is the only U.S.-based recycling label that is standardized across all packaging types and is the only label to offer comprehensive instructions on packaging recyclability in an easy to understand format. Thousands of brand name products already use the label and can be found in stores across the country. The program also provides custom recyclability assessments and offers all members insight into how the packaging may be re-designed to be improved for recycling in the U.S. and Canada.
If your company is interested in adopting the How2Recycle program, you can find more information on the program and how to join the movement AT THIS LINK.
Currently more than 100 companies and thousands of name brand products are carrying the How2Recycle label on products. How2Recycle is a project of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, a membership-based group that brings together business, educational institutions, and government agencies to collectively broaden the understanding of packaging sustainability and develop meaningful improvements for packaging solutions.
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