Guidelines for reporting your

Private Brand Packaging Data

2022 Sustainability Reporting Cycle
 PURPOSE OF THIS DOCUMENT
This guidance document is intended to be used for reference purposes to help guide
suppliers through the process of completing the private brand packaging section of
Walmart’s annual sustainability survey only and is not intended to provide any legal
advice concerning packaging or other compliance related requirements.

2
 Table of contents
● Survey overview (p. 4)
● What’s new in the 2022 Private Brands Packaging Section? (p. 10)
● Survey and calculation guidance (p. 16)
● Is your packaging designed for recycling? (p. 37)
● How recyclability is determined & FAQs (p. 50)

3
3
 Survey Overview

4 4
 Our Ambition
Become a regenerative company
To help people live better and sustain our planet

Our Priorities

PEOPLE WALMART PLANET

• Customer trust
• Equity, inclusion, opportunity for CLIMATE I NATURE I WASTE
• Supply chain resilience
associates, suppliers, communities • More sustainable products, packaging
• Everyday low true cost
• Dignity of people in supply chains • Zero waste, zero emissions
• Safer, healthier products • 100% renewable energy
• Regeneration of nature

5
 Global Sustainable Packaging Goals
For Private Brands and encouraged for National Brands

USE LESS MAKE IT

LABEL IT
PLASTIC RECYCLABLE

Private 15% virgin plastic 17% post- 100% packaging

100% packaging
Brand reduction by 2025 consumer recyclable, reusable,
labeled for
Goals (vs. 2020 baseline) recycled content or industrially
recyclability by 2022
globally by 2025 compostable by
2025
INNOVATE TOGETHER
 Project Gigaton™
CLIMATE

+
NATURE
4500+ suppliers signed on 574+ MMT emissions reduced or avoided

Product Use &

Energy Nature Waste Packaging Transportation
Design
Renewable Energy Regenerative Food, Solid Waste Recycled Content Optimized Design
Agriculture Reduction Shipping Optimization
Energy Efficiency Recyclability
Forestry Recycling, Zero emission Sustainable
Reduction
Composting vehicles Sourcing

Major Contributors

77
 Scope of Packaging Reporting
Primary Packaging – How2Recycle – Food Specific Labeling - Reuse
What is primary packaging: What is NOT primary packaging:
• Packaging that goes home with the customer • Products (napkins, cups, plates, cutlery)
• Ecommerce/shipping packaging
• Shelf/retail ready packaging
• PDQ trays
• Small hang tags (<2.5”)
• Stickers
Box + • Hangers
inner
bag
Bottles
+ plastic No
film No PDQ, shipping
SRP boxes
packaging

In most cases, all Private Brand products will have primary packaging. Examples of products without primary packaging includes but are not limited
to loose produce; apparel with hang tags < 2.5 in. (6.35 cm); General Merchandise product with only a sticker. If this is the case for your packaging,
8 you need to check the box at the beginning of the sustainability survey stating that you do not have products in primary packaging.
 2022 Sustainability Survey Season Dates
SUPPLIER TRAINING AVAILABLE:
Timeline

September 6th - November 4th View additional Trainings & Webinars on

The opportunity to report is only once a year!
Walmart Sustainability Hub website

Create or login to your company’s

Sustainability Portal account
All Suppliers

People* Select Suppliers

Sections

Forests

Packaging Private Brand Suppliers

*People includes select departments (Produce, Seafood,

Textiles** Entertainment) and is optional for others.
**Textiles is required for Private/Proprietary Brands suppliers and
recommended/optional for National/Licensed Brands suppliers.
9
 What’s new in the 2022
Private Brands Packaging Section?

10 10
 New QC Pending Status
This year, the Sustainability portal will flag packaging entries ACTIONS TO TAKE IF DATA IS FLAGGED
for potentially inaccurate data. If your data is flagged, you will • Review and correct your data, if necessary. (If you know
receive: a notification upon submission and an email. Both your data is accurate, immediately reach out directly to
notifications will tell you why your survey was flagged for [email protected] with an explanation of how your data
review and what you can do to help resolve the flags. is accurate and the flag may be removed.)
Submissions marked as QC Pending will be reviewed weekly by • Use the new chatbot on the Sustainability Hub
our team. • Review recorded trainings on Trainings & Webinars
• Get help at weekly Sustainability Office Hours
Your packaging data is NOT considered submitted until all • Email the Sustainability Helpdesk at corpsu@wal-
flagged data is resolved and the QC Pending Status is mart.com.
removed.
New Plastic Bag / Film questions
Two new questions added this year related
to plastic reduction in bags / films:

• Headspace reduction
In only your flexible types of primary
packaging within the reporting period – if
you eliminated excess headspace, how
much total packaging weight did the
change remove?

• Plastic overwrap reduction

If you reduced use of plastic overwraps in
your primary packaging within the
reporting period – how much total
packaging weight did that change
remove?
13

Name Change: Designed for Recycling

“Weight of packaging designed for optimizing and advancing recycling” changed to “Weight of packaging designed
for recycling”. This year, you can only use the green pages or applicable yellow pages of the Walmart Recycling
Playbook to evaluate if your packaging is designed for recycling.

2022
Designed for
recycling

2021
Designed for
optimizing and
advancing
recycling
14

Problematic Plastic Elements

If you enter “0” in “weight of
packaging designed for
recycling” for a plastic
packaging type that can be
designed for recycling, you will
be asked to tell us what types
of elements are keeping your
packaging from being designed
for recycling.
• Check all the applicable
boxes
• If product contamination
prevents your package from
being recycled, choose
“Other reasons” (e.g.,
product contamination).
Example: motor oil in an
HDPE bottle
15

On-Pack Recycling Labels

This year, we are asking all US & Canada International Markets
international markets to provide
information on labels used on pack
to inform the customer of what to
do with the packaging at its end of
life. Labeling should:
• Be consumer facing
• NOT just be the resin
identification codes in the
chasing arrows

The How2Recycle questions are the

same as last year and only
applicable to the US & Canada.
Survey & Calculation guidance

16
17

How to prepare for the survey

For each package, answer the following questions

1 2 3
Identify if your
Identify Primary Do the math
packaging is designed
Packaging Types & (MT, kg, lbs)
for recycling
Packaging Uses

A. What type of packaging do you A. Is your packaging designed for A. How much does each package type
use? A box? A bottle? recycling? weigh?
 Identify all types of  Refer to guidance in the Walmart  Sum the total volume in your
packaging Recycling Playbook to learn the selected unit of measurement
B. What is the packaging used for? materials that will make your (metric tonnes, kilograms, pounds)
Liquid drinks? Fresh food? package not recyclable B. Of the total volume, calculate the
 Identify all packaging uses weight for:
C. What is that package made out of? B. Do you use recycled content?  Packaging designed for recycling
 Identify the base material  Identify the recycled content in  Post-consumer recycled content
your packaging is post-consumer  Packaging certified by
Biodegradable Products Institute
(BPI) or equivalent for non-US
Repeat steps for each type of package markets
 Bio-based
Identify all primary packaging uses
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

What is your
packaging used for?
Liquid drinks? Fresh
Foods?

Example Uses

Liquid
drinks

WHAT TO DO: select the boxes for

the packaging uses for your Walmart
Fresh Private Brand primary packaging. For
food definitions and example of each
packaging use, hover over the tool
tips (See example)
 Identify all primary packaging types

Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

What type of
packaging do you
use? A box? A bottle?

Example Products

Notes:
WHAT TO DO: Bottle
• Ecommerce packaging/shipping

select the boxes for

Box packaging are not considered
primary packaging
the packaging • Inner packaging materials (like
the plastic bag used to hold the
types used for pancake mix or dunnage for
Walmart Private General Merchandise packaging)
Brand primary should be selected
Jug Bag • The outer wrap for multipack
packaging (inner package water bottles should be selected
as bags/films/pouches/sachet
-inside box)

19
Identify base materials
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question
Identify and select the base
materials of your package:
• The base material of a
PET water bottle is PET
• The base material of a
box is paperboard

Example Products

Notes:
WHAT TO DO: PET • A package can be made out of multiple materials. The “base material” is the
material that makes up the majority of the package
Identify the base • For example, a PET bottle may have a cap and label made out of
material of the another material, but the base material is PET. Caps / closures are not
included as part of the base material.
package for each • If the products you produce are sold in the same packaging type (e.g.,
packaging type HDPE bottles/jugs) but are made of out of a different base material (e.g., PET and
HDPE), please capture all the base materials used
• Different sizes/flavors/scents does not impact how you answer these
questions. Cap weight excluded if different than base material.
Enter number of units
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question
How many packaging /
consumer units do you sell
for each packaging format
and material?

Example Products

Notes:
• Calculate your number of packaging units per
WHAT TO DO: PET packaging format and material.
Identify the base • A packaging unit is a consumer unit or selling
material of the unit (what the customer purchases).
package for each • Example: A case of a 40 pack of bottles is one
packaging type HDPE consumer unit.
• Example: One milk jug is one consumer unit
Enter weight of packaging
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

What is the sum of primary

packaging by material?

Example Products

Notes:
• Aggregate the total weight of primary
WHAT TO DO: PET packaging by material type.
Identify the base • For example: If you sell PET bottles you would
material of the put the total weight of ALL PET bottles not
package for each the weight of just one bottle.
packaging type HDPE • Pay close attention to the unit of
measurement you are using to ensure
accuracy.
Determine if your packaging is designed for recycling
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

Is your package designed for

recycling?

Example Products

Notes:
• If your packaging is designed for recycling, ensure you input your data. The next
column, “weight of packaging where a system of recycling exists in practice and at
WHAT TO DO: Determine how many of scale” is auto-calculated based on your entry in the “weight of packaging designed
your packages meet the green pages or for recycling” column.
applicable yellow pages of the Recycling • One cannot identify if a package is or isn’t designed for recycling by only looking at
the packaging type or the base material. Both packaging type + base material must
Playbook for each packaging type + be looked at together
base material. • E.g., not all bottles are designed for recycling, not all PET is designed for
recycling, and not all PET bottles are designed for recycling
• Labels, adhesives, and other design elements may cause a package to be not
recyclable.
• Refer to the green or applicable yellow pages in Walmart’s Recycling Playbook for
more information.
Use the Walmart Recycling Playbook to determine if your
packaging is designed for recycling
Questions to Answer Use the Recycling Playbook

Is your package designed for

recycling?

What to do
Check the green pages or applicable
yellow pages of the Recycling
Playbook for each packaging type +
base material to verify if your
packaging is designed for recycling
Review weight of packaging where a system of recycling exists in
practice and at scale
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

Is your package designed for

optimizing and advancing AUTO-CALCULATED
recycling?

Example Products
Notes:
• Walmart utilizes the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s definition for recyclability, and
ISO definitions for recycled content, compostability, and reuse for purposes of
measuring progress on Walmart’s global sustainability goals
WHAT TO DO: Review the number that • The definition for each packaging type + base material is geographically
is auto-calculated here. This number is agnostic. Each country will use the same definition and criteria to determine
if a package is or isn’t recyclable, reusable, or industrially compostable
based on your data entry in “Weight of • One cannot identify if a package is or isn’t recyclable by only looking at the
packaging designed for optimizing and packaging type or the base material. Both packaging type + base material must be
advancing recycling” and looked at together
• E.g., not all bottles are recyclable, not all PET is recyclable not all PET bottles
are recyclable
• Labels, adhesives, and other design elements may cause a package to be not
recyclable. Refer to Walmart’s Recycling Playbook
Identify if your packaging is certified industrially compostable
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

Is your package certified

industrially compostable?

Example Products

Notes:
WHAT TO DO: Determine how much of
• Only input data here if your packaging is certified industrially
your packaging is certified industrially compostable by BPI or equivalent for non-US markets.
compostable (i.e., certified by • Walmart utilizes the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s definition for
Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) recyclability, and ISO definitions for recycled content,
or equivalent for non-US markets) for compostability, and reuse for purposes of measuring progress on
each packaging type + base material. Walmart’s global sustainability goals
• The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s definition for each
packaging type + base material is geographically agnostic.
Each country will use the same definition and criteria to
determine if a package is or isn’t recyclable, reusable, or
industrially compostable
Identify if your packaging uses post-consumer recycled content
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

Do you use post-consumer

recycled content?
• Identify if it is post-
consumer, pre-consumer
or post industrial

Example Products

Notes:
• Walmart utilizes the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s definition for
WHAT TO DO: Determine the weight recyclability, and ISO definitions for recycled content,
of post-consumer recycled content compostability, and reuse for purposes of measuring progress
used for each packaging type+ base on Walmart’s global sustainability goals
• Recyclable and recycled content are two different
material definitions – ensure you are using the correct one
• Post-consumer is not the same as pre-consumer or post-
industrial recycled content.
• ONLY input post-consumer recycled content
data into the survey. Pre-consumer and post-
industrial are NOT in-scope.
Identify if your packaging uses sustainably sourced bio-based
content
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

Does your packaging use

sustainability sourced bio-
based content?

Example Products

Notes:
WHAT TO DO: Determine the weight • Bio-Based materials are made from renewal
of sustainably sourced bio-based resources instead of fossil fuels.
content • Examples of renewable carbon resources include
corn, potatoes, rice, soy, sugarcane, wheat, and
vegetable oil.
• A biobased plastic can be partly or entirely bio-
based.
• Bio-Based does NOT mean the package is
biodegradable, recyclable, or compostable.
Do the math: packaging weight
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

How many units do you have for

each packaging type?
• Sum the total units
How much does each package type
weigh?
• Sum the total weight in your
selected unit of measurement

Example Products

WHAT TO DO: Notes:

1. Identify the TOTAL number *A packaging unit is a consumer unit or selling unit (what the customer purchases).
Example: A case of a 40 pack of bottles is one consumer unit. One milk jug is one
of units* and weight of ALL
consumer unit.
primary packaging For each
packaging type + base PET BOTTLE/JUG HDPE BOTTLE/JUG
material. (cap weight 10,000 units 20,000 units sold
30,000 units sold
excluded if different sold
Weight of 1 unit is
Weight of
ALL HDPE
material than the base Weight of 1 unit
is .012 kg
Weight of 1 unit is
.005 kg
.0075 kg
primary
material)* .005 kg x 30,000
packaging
= 300 kg
.012 kg x 10,000 .0075kg x 20,000
= 120 kg PET = 150 kg HDPE = 150 kg HDPE
bottles
2. Enter data on ALL tabs bottles bottles

*cap weight is excluded if it is a different material than the base material (refer to slide 20 for more information on base materials)
Calculate the weight of packaging designed for recycling for each unit

Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

How many tons of packaging are:

 Using bio-based content
 Packaging designed for recycling
 Using post-consumer recycled
content
 Certified Industrial Compostable
 Using bio-based content

Example Products
PET BOTTLE/JUG HDPE BOTTLE/JUG
WHAT TO DO: For each
packaging type + base 10,000 units
sold
30,000 units
sold
20,000 units sold

material, identify the Weight of 1 unit Weight of 1 unit

Weight of 1 unit is
.0075 kg - entire
TOTAL weight of ALL is .012 kg - is .005 kg – bottle is designed
entire bottle is entire bottle is for recycling
packaging designed for designed for
• designed for recycling recycling recycling

• industrially compostable
.012 kg x 10,000 = .005 kg x 30,000 = 150 0075kg x 20,000 = 150 Weight of ALL HDPE
• using post-consumer 120 kg PET bottles kg HDPE bottles kg HDPE bottles bottles designed for
recycled content designed for recycling designed for recycling designed for recycling recycling = 300 kg

Enter data for each tab.

For Private Brand Products sold in Walmart US, Sam’s Club US, & Walmart
Canada only: How2Recycle sales question
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

Sales of all Private Brand

products in packaging that went WHAT TO DO: Identify the TOTAL POS for all Private Brand
home with the customer (i.e., products. Subtract the POS for any Private Brand products that do
primary packaging) NOT have packaging that goes home with the customer.

All Private Brand

products

Example Products
POS for ALL
Private Brand $X $Y $Z
products

Any Private
Brand Products No (If a company answers yes, please
without Primary subtract the POS sales of those
Packaging? products that do not use primary
packaging)
Notes:
• In most cases, all Private Brand products will have primary packaging
• Examples of products without primary packaging includes, but not limited
to:
• Loose produce
• Apparel with hang tags < 2.5 in. (6.35 cm)
• General Merchandise product with only a sticker
• Sales of ALL private brand products = POS
For Private Brand Products sold in Walmart US, Sam’s Club US, & Walmart
Canada only: How2Recycle sales question
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

Overall use of the How2Recycle WHAT TO DO: Identify which Private Brand
label on package, as % of sales products have the How2Recycle label on package?

Uses the Does NOT use the

How2Recycle Label on How2Recycle Label on
Package Package
Example Products

Do 100% of these
products use the 0% sales use the
How2Recycle label on How2Recycle label
package? on package

Yes No
Enter 100% POS sales Enter X% POS sales that use the
for this Private Product How2Recycle label on package
For Private Brand Products sold in Walmart US, Sam’s Club US, & Walmart
Canada only: How2Recycle SKU question
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

Total number of Private Brand WHAT TO DO: Identify the number of all Private Brand SKUs
SKUs with primary packaging and enter the number.
Total number of Private Brand Remember, a SKU is a unique UPC item. For example, if one of
SKUs with the How2Recycle label the items you sell is a 24-count pack of water bottles and you
sell 1 million 24-count packs, that is only 1 SKU. If you sell a 24-
count pack of water bottles and a 6-count pack of flavored
water, then you have 2 SKUs.
Example Products
Do NOT include Private Brand products that do NOT have
packaging that goes home with the customer.

Identify which Private Brand SKUs with primary packaging have

the How2Recycle label on package and enter the number.

Notes:
• In most cases, all Private Brand products will have primary
packaging
• Examples of products without primary packaging includes, but not
limited to:
• Loose produce
• Apparel with hang tags <2.5 in. (6.35 cm)
• General Merchandise product with only a sticker
For Private Brand Products NOT sold in the US & Canada markets:
On-Pack Labeling sales question
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

Sales of all Private Brand WHAT TO DO: Identify the TOTAL POS for all Private
products in packaging that went
Brand products. Subtract the POS for any Private Brand
home with the customer (i.e.,
primary packaging) products that do NOT have packaging that goes home with
the customer.

All Private Brand

products

Example Products
POS for ALL
Private Brand $X $Y $Z
products

Any Private
Brand Products No (If a company answers yes, please
without Primary subtract the POS sales of those
Packaging? products that do not use primary
packaging)
Notes:
• In most cases, all Private Brand products will have primary packaging
• Examples of products without primary packaging includes, but not limited to:
• Loose produce
• Apparel with hand tags < 2.5 in. (6.35 cm)
• General Merchandise product with only a sticker
• Sales of ALL private brand products = POS
For Private Brand Products NOT sold in the US & Canada markets:
On-Pack Labeling sales question
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

WHAT TO DO: Identify which Private Brand products

Overall use of labeling on have on-pack recycling labeling on package?
packaging that informs customers
what do to with packaging at its Labeling should:
end of life, as % of sales. • Be consumer facing
• NOT just be the resin identification codes in the
chasing arrows

Example Products Uses recycling labeling Does NOT recycling

on package labeling on package

Do 100% of these
products use the
0% sales use recycling
recycling labeling on labeling on package
package?
Yes No
Enter 100% POS sales Enter X% POS sales that use
for this Private Product recycling labeling on package
For Private Brand Products NOT sold in the US & Canada markets:
On-Pack Labeling SKU question
Questions to Answer Example of Survey Question

Total number of Private Brand WHAT TO DO: Identify the number of all Private Brand SKUs
SKUs with primary packaging and enter the number.
Total number of Private Brand Remember, a SKU is a unique UPC item. For example, if one of
SKUs with the recycling labeling the items you sell is a 24-count pack of water bottles and you
on packaging sell 1 million 24-count packs, that is only 1 SKU. If you sell a 24-
count pack of water bottles and a 6-count pack of flavored
water, then you have 2 SKUs.
Example Products
Do NOT include Private Brand products that do NOT have
packaging that goes home with the customer.

Identify which Private Brand SKUs with primary packaging have

the recycling labeling on the package and enter the number.

Notes:
• In most cases, all Private Brand products will have primary
packaging
• Examples of products without primary packaging includes, but not
limited to:
• Loose produce
• Apparel with hang tags <2.5 in. (6.35 cm)
• General Merchandise product with only a sticker
 Is Your Packaging
Designed for Recycling?

37
Use The Recycling Playbook to determine if your packaging is designed
for recycling

Check the Recycling Playbook to

determine if your packaging is
designed recycling.

Find the Recycling Playbook here:

Walmart Sustainability Hub > Waste >
Sustainable Packaging
39

Guidance document – bags, films, pouches, sachets

STEP ONE STEP TWO
a) Does your packaging meet the green pages or Does your packaging contain any
applicable yellow pages of the Recycling of the following?
Playbook for each packaging type + base
material?
The package is NOT designed for recycling if it uses any of the below

PACKAGING PAPER-BASED PE BAGS & FILM

PACKAGING MATERIAL
TYPE STEP ONE: YES OR NO
BAGS, FILM, • Color, Layers, or Additives: Plastic/polymer • Resin: Non-PE resins mixed in
Paper treatments or layers on fiber-based • Resin Color or Additives: Dark colors, PVC,
POU.. Yes, proceed to step 2 components, treatments that require PVDC, metalized layers, fillers that alter the
BAGS, FILM, PE Plastic (HDPE, plastic/polymers (most holograms, high blend density to be greater than 1.0, starch
POU.. MDPE, LDPE, LLDPE) Yes, proceed to step 2 gloss), wax, UV coatings, metalized films, resins, or degradable additives
foils, wet strength additives*, dark colors, • Attachments or closures: Metal, foils, PET,
BAGS, FILM, No, package is NOT designed fragrances PLA, PP, PS, PVC, RFIDs
PVC / PVDC
POU.. for recycling • Attachments and Adhesives: Metal, • Labels: Metal, foil, metalized printing, paper,
Other plastic (Nylon, magnetic closures, electronics, RFIDs, PET, PET, PLA, PP, PS, PVC
BAGS, FILM, PLA, PP, PS, PVC, hot melt adhesives, stickers
PP, PLA, PET, No, package is NOT designed and adhesives*
POU..
multimaterial …) for recycling • Labels: Metal foil, metalized printing, PET,
No, package is NOT designed PLA, PP, PS, PVC
BAGS, FILM,
Other non-plastic
POU.. for recycling *unless passes Western Michigan University testing

Refer to the Bags, Films, and Pouches section of the Walmart Recycling Playbook to
determine if your package is designed for recycling. 39
40

Guidance document – Bottle & Jug

STEP ONE STEP TWO
a) Does your packaging meet the green pages or applicable Does your packaging contain any of the
yellow pages of the Recycling Playbook for each following?
packaging type + base material?

PACKAGING The package is NOT designed for recycling if it uses any of the below
PACKAGING MATERIAL
TYPE STEP ONE: YES OR NO
BOTTLE & JUG PET Yes, proceed to step 2
Yes, proceed to step 2
PET RIGIDS HDPE & PP RIGIDS LDPE RIGIDS
BOTTLE & JUG HDPE
No, package is NOT designed for
BOTTLE & JUG PVC / PVDC
recycling • Opaque or non clear, • PVC components (including • Resin Color or Additives:
BOTTLE & JUG LDPE Yes, proceed to step 2 transparent, light blue or labels) Dark colors, optical
Yes, proceed to step 2 green • Degradable additives brighteners, degradable
BOTTLE & JUG LLDPE
• PETG bottles • Large amounts of heavy additives
BOTTLE & JUG PP Yes, proceed to step 2 • PVC components fillers • Attachments & Closures:
No, package is NOT designed for (including labels) • Large labels (that aren’t APR Metal, foils, PP, PVC,
BOTTLE & JUG PS
recycling • Degradable additives approved) floating silicone polymer,
No, package is NOT designed for • Large labels (that aren’t • Metal attachments RFIDs
BOTTLE & JUG EPS
recycling APR approved) • Labels: paper, PVC, PLS, PS,
Other plastic (PETG, CPET, • Metal attachments metal foils, non-APR
BOTTLE & JUG PC, multimaterial, or No, package is NOT designed for preferred labels
blended resins) recycling
No, package is NOT designed for Refer to the Bottles, Jars, Jugs, and Tubs section of the Walmart Recycling Playbook to
BOTTLE & JUG Other non- plastic determine if your package is designed for recycling.
recycling

40
41

Guidance document – box

STEP ONE STEP TWO
a) Does your packaging meet the green pages or Does your packaging contain any
applicable yellow pages of the Recycling Playbook for of the following?
each packaging type + base material?

PACKAGING PACKAGING The package is NOT designed for recycling if it uses any of the below
TYPE MATERIAL STEP ONE: YES OR NO
BOX Paperboard Yes, proceed to step 2
BOX Corrugate Yes, proceed to step 2 PAPERBOARD, CORRUGATE, & MOLDED FIBER
BOX Molded Pulp/Fiber Yes, proceed to step 2
No, package is NOT designed for • Color, Layers, or Additives: Plastic/polymer treatments or layers on fiber-based components,
BOX treatments that require plastic/polymers (most holograms, high gloss), wax, UV coatings,
Other non-plastic recycling
No, package is NOT designed for metalized films, foils, wet strength additives*, dark colors, fragrances
BOX • Attachments and Adhesives: Metal, magnetic closures, electronics, RFIDs, PET, PLA, PP, PS, PVC,
EPS recycling
hot melt adhesives, stickers and adhesives*
Paperboard with No, package is NOT designed for
BOX • Labels: Metal foil, metalized printing, PET, PLA, PP, PS, PVC
Plastic recycling • Dunnage & Padding: EPS and other expanded resin materials
No, package is NOT designed for
BOX
Corrugate with Plastic recycling *unless passes Western Michigan University testing
No, package is NOT designed for
BOX
PVC / PVDC recycling
Other Plastic ((PET, No, package is NOT designed for Refer to the Box section of the Walmart Recycling Playbook to determine if your
BOX
HDPE, PP…) recycling package is designed for recycling.

41
42

Guidance document – Cans, cannisters, cartons

STEP ONE STEP TWO
a) Does your packaging meet the green pages or Does your packaging contain any
applicable yellow pages of the Recycling Playbook for of the following?
each packaging type + base material?

PACKAGING The package is NOT designed for recycling if it uses any of the below
PACKAGING MATERIAL
TYPE STEP ONE: YES OR NO
CANS, Metal (Aluminum, Steel, METAL CONTAINERS PAPER-BASED PACKAGING
CANNISTE.. tin) Yes, proceed to step 2 • Attachments & Closures: Plastic, • Color, Layers, or Additives: Plastic/polymer treatments
CANS, stickers or layers on fiber-based components, treatments that
Paper-based w/o metal require plastic/polymers (most holograms, high gloss),
CANNISTE.. Yes, proceed to step 2 • Labels: Stickers, full body plastic
wax, UV coatings, metalized films, foils, wet strength
sleeves
CANS, No, package is NOT designed additives*, dark colors, fragrances
Paper-based w/metal
CANNISTE.. for recycling • Attachments and Adhesives: Metal, magnetic closures,
electronics, RFIDs, PET, PLA, PP, PS, PVC, hot melt
adhesives, stickers and adhesives*
• Labels: Metal foil, metalized printing, PET, PLA, PP, PS,
PVC
• Dunnage & Padding: EPS and other expanded resin
materials

*unless passes Western Michigan University testing

Refer to the Canisters and Cartons and Cans sections of the Walmart Recycling Playbook
to determine if your package is designed for recycling.
42
43

Guidance document – Foam cushion, dunnage, inserts

STEP ONE STEP TWO
a) Does your packaging meet the green pages or Does your packaging contain any
applicable yellow pages of the Recycling Playbook for of the following?
each packaging type + base material?

PACKAGING The package is NOT designed for recycling if it uses any of the below
PACKAGING MATERIAL
TYPE STEP ONE: YES OR NO
FOAM
PE film/pillow PE FILM FIBER-BASED
CUSHION.. Yes, proceed to step 2
FOAM No, package is NOT designed for
EPE
CUSHION.. recycling • Resin: Non-PE resins mixed in • Color, Layers, or Additives: Plastic/polymer treatments or
No, package is NOT designed for layers on fiber-based components, treatments that
FOAM • Resin Color or Additives: Dark colors, PVC,
EPP require plastic/polymers (most holograms, high gloss),
CUSHION.. recycling PVDC, metalized layers, fillers that alter the wax, UV coatings, metalized films, foils, wet strength
FOAM No, package is NOT designed for blend density to be greater than 1.0, starch additives*, dark colors, fragrances
Other plastic film/pillow resins, or degradable additives • Attachments and Adhesives: Metal, magnetic closures,
CUSHION.. recycling
• Attachments or closures: Metal, foils, PET, electronics, RFIDs, PET, PLA, PP, PS, PVC, hot melt
FOAM Expanded Polystyrene No, package is NOT designed for PLA, PP, PS, PVC, RFIDs adhesives, stickers and adhesives*
CUSHION.. (EPS) recycling • Labels: Metal, foil, metalized printing, • Labels: Metal foil, metalized printing, PET, PLA, PP, PS,
PVC
FOAM paper, PET, PLA, PP, PS, PVC • Dunnage & Padding: EPS and other expanded resin
Molded Pulp/Fiber
CUSHION.. Yes, proceed to step 2 materials
FOAM
Corrugate
CUSHION.. Yes, proceed to step 2 *unless passes Western Michigan University testing

FOAM
Paperboard
CUSHION.. Yes, proceed to step 2
Refer to the Cushion, Dunnage, & Inserts sections of the Walmart Recycling Playbook to
FOAM No, package is NOT designed for determine if your package is designed for recycling.
Other non-plastic
CUSHION.. recycling

43
44

Guidance document – tray, clamshell, thermoform

STEP ONE
a) Does your packaging meet the green pages or applicable yellow STEP TWO
pages of the Recycling Playbook for each packaging type + Does your packaging contain any of
base material? the following?

PACKAGING PACKAGING
TYPE MATERIAL STEP ONE: YES OR NO
TRAY,
Paperboard
CLAMSH… Yes, proceed to step 2
The package is NOT designed for recycling if it uses any of the below
TRAY,
Molded Fiber
CLAMSH… Yes, proceed to step 2
TRAY, PAPER BASED PET RIGIDS HDPE & PP RIGIDS
PET
CLAMSH… Yes, proceed to step 2
TRAY, • Metal • Opaque or non clear, • PVC components (including
HDPE
CLAMSH… Yes, proceed to step 2 • Magnetic closures transparent, light blue or green labels)
TRAY, • Radio-frequency identification • PETG bottles • Degradable additives
PVC / PVDC • Double sided • PVC components (including • Large amounts of heavy fillers
CLAMSH… No, package is NOT designed for recycling
plastic/polymer/resin coatings labels) • Large labels (that aren’t APR
TRAY, • Degradable additives approved)
LDPE
CLAMSH… No, package is NOT designed for recycling • Large labels (that aren’t APR • Metal attachments
TRAY, approved)
LLDPE • Metal attachments
CLAMSH… No, package is NOT designed for recycling
TRAY,
PP
CLAMSH… Yes, proceed to step 2
TRAY,
PS
CLAMSH… No, package is NOT designed for recycling
Refer to the Trays, Clamshells, & Thermoforms section of the Walmart Recycling
TRAY,
EPS Playbook to determine if your package is designed for recycling.
CLAMSH… No, package is NOT designed for recycling
Other plastic (PETG,
TRAY,
CPET, PC, multimaterial,
CLAMSH…
No, package is NOT designed for recycling
or blended resins) 44
TRAY,
Aluminum
CLAMSH… No, package is NOT designed for recycling
45

Guidance document – jars, tubs, cups, pails

STEP ONE STEP TWO
a) Does your packaging meet the green pages or Does your packaging contain any of
applicable yellow pages of the Recycling Playbook for the following?
each packaging type + base material?

PACKAGING
PACKAGING MATERIAL The package is NOT designed for recycling if it uses any of the below
TYPE STEP ONE: YES OR NO
JARS, TUBS,
PET
CUPS, Yes ,Proceed to step 2 PET RIGIDS HDPE & PP RIGIDS LDPE RIGIDS
JARS, TUBS,
HDPE
CUPS, Yes ,Proceed to step 2
No, package is NOT designed for • Opaque or non clear, • PVC components (including • Resin Color or Additives:
JARS, TUBS,
PVC transparent, light blue or labels) Dark colors, optical
CUPS, recycling
green • Degradable additives brighteners, degradable
JARS, TUBS, • PETG bottles • Large amounts of heavy additives
LDPE
CUPS, Yes ,Proceed to step 2
• PVC components fillers • Attachments & Closures:
JARS, TUBS, (including labels) • Large labels (that aren’t APR Metal, foils, PP, PVC,
LLDPE
CUPS, Yes ,Proceed to step 2 • Degradable additives approved) floating silicone polymer,
JARS, TUBS, • Large labels (that aren’t • Metal attachments RFIDs
PP
CUPS, Yes ,Proceed to step 2 APR approved) • Labels: paper, PVC, PLS, PS,
JARS, TUBS, No, package is NOT designed for • Metal attachments metal foils, non-APR
PS
CUPS, recycling preferred labels
JARS, TUBS, No, package is NOT designed for
EPS Refer to the Bottles, Jars, Jugs, and Tubs section of the Walmart Recycling Playbook to
CUPS, recycling
Other plastic (PETG, PC, No, package is NOT designed for determine if your package is designed for recycling.
JARS, TUBS,
multimaterial, blended recycling
CUPS,
resins) is NOT recyclable
JARS, TUBS,
CUPS,
Glass
Yes, Proceed to Step 2 45
46

Guidance document – hang tags, Backer Cards, Header Cards

STEP ONE STEP TWO
a) Does your packaging meet the green pages or Does your packaging contain any of the
applicable yellow pages of the Recycling Playbook for following?
each packaging type + base material?

PACKAGING The package is NOT designed for recycling if it uses any of the below
PACKAGING TYPE
MATERIAL STEP ONE: YES OR NO
HANG TAGS,
Paperboard
BACKER Yes, proceed to step 2 PAPER BASED
HANG TAGS,
Paper • <2.5 inches
BACKER Yes, proceed to step 2
HANG TAGS, • Color, Layers, or Additives: Plastic/polymer treatments or layers on fiber-based
Corrugate components, treatments that require plastic/polymers (most holograms, high gloss),
BACKER Yes, proceed to step 2
HANG TAGS, PE Plastic (HDPE, No, package is NOT designed for wax, UV coatings, metalized films, foils, wet strength additives*, dark colors, fragrances
BACKER MDPE, LDPE, LLDPE) recycling • Attachments and Adhesives: Metal, magnetic closures, electronics, RFIDs, PET, PLA, PP,
HANG TAGS, No, package is NOT designed for PS, PVC, hot melt adhesives, stickers and adhesives*
PVC / PVDC • Labels: Metal foil, metalized printing, PET, PLA, PP, PS, PVC
BACKER recycling
HANG TAGS, No, package is NOT designed for • Dunnage & Padding: EPS and other expanded resin materials
Other plastic
BACKER recycling
HANG TAGS, No, package is NOT designed for *unless passes Western Michigan University testing
paperboard with plastic
BACKER recycling
HANG TAGS, No, package is NOT designed for
corrugate with plastic Refer to the Box section of the Walmart Recycling Playbook to determine if your
BACKER recycling
package is designed for recycling.
47

Guidance document – BLISTER PACK

STEP ONE STEP TWO
a) Does your packaging meet the green pages or Does your packaging contain any of
applicable yellow pages of the Recycling Playbook for the following?
each packaging type + base material?

PACKAGIN
G TYPE
PACKAGING MATERIAL
STEP ONE: YES OR NO
At this time, no packaging meets Step 1. Therefore,
BLISTER No, package is NOT there is no need to answer Step 2.
PET plastic and fiber
PACK designed for recycling
BLISTER No, package is NOT Guidance - Change to:
PVC plastic and fiber
PACK designed for recycling • A different format with a single material {e.g., paperboard box, PE
BLISTER No, package is NOT bag)
PE plastic and fiber
PACK designed for recycling • A similar format with materials that are easily separated and
BLISTER No, package is NOT recyclable on their own {e.g., PET clamshell or tray with paper
Other
PACK designed for recycling insert), or use the acceptable attachments noted in this playbook
• Avoid materials that are detrimental to plastic recycling {e.g., PVC,
PETG, foils), including adhesives that remain on the plastic that are
not compatible with recycling
Refer to the Other Packages: Blister Packs section of the Walmart Recycling
Playbook to determine if your package is designed for recycling.

47
48

Guidance document – tubes

STEP ONE STEP TWO
a) Does your packaging meet the green pages or Does your packaging contain any
applicable yellow pages of the Recycling Playbook for of the following?
each packaging type + base material?

The package is NOT designed for recycling if it uses any of the below.

PACKAGING • Multimaterial
PACKAGING MATERIAL
TYPE STEP ONE: YES OR NO • <2” in more than one dimension
No, package is NOT
TUBES PVC / PVDC
designed for recycling Guidance: Work to advance innovation of recyclable packaging or the
TUBES HDPE Yes ,Proceed to step 2 development of an appropriate circular economy solution.
No, package is NOT Develop package to be recycled in HDPE bottle or other stream
TUBES Other plastic • Use a single plastic material with a recycling stream (e.g., HDPE)
designed for recycling
No, package is NOT • Colgate Palmolive announced in 2019 that it has a toothpaste tube
TUBES Aluminum that is recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for
designed for recycling
recyclability, using an HDPE design
• For plastic, use coatings and additives proven to be compatible with
recycling to add necessary functionality \
• Consider a different package material and format that is recyclable
(e.g., paperboard box, PE bag)
Refer to the Other Packages: Plastic Tubes with Multiple Materials section of
the Walmart Recycling Playbook to determine if your package is designed for
recycling.
48
49

Guidance document – SMALL PACKAGING

STEP ONE STEP TWO
a) Does your packaging meet the green pages or applicable Does your packaging contain any of
yellow pages of the Recycling Playbook for each packaging the following?
type + base material?
PACKAGING TYPE PACKAGING MATERIAL STEP ONE: YES OR NO
SMALL PACKAGING PET Yes ,Proceed to step 2
SMALL PACKAGING HDPE Yes ,Proceed to step 2
The package is NOT designed for recycling if it uses any of the below
SMALL PACKAGING PVC / PVDC No, package is NOT designed for recycling
SMALL PACKAGING LDPE Yes ,Proceed to step 2
PAPERBASED PET RIGIDS HDPE & PP RIGIDS LDPE RIGIDS
SMALL PACKAGING LLDPE Yes ,Proceed to step 2
• Metal • Opaque or non clear, • PVC components • Resin Color or
SMALL PACKAGING PP Yes ,Proceed to step 2 • Magnetic closures transparent, light (including labels) Additives: Dark
• Radio-frequency blue or green • Degradable additives colors, optical
SMALL PACKAGING PS No, package is NOT designed for recycling identification • PETG bottles • Large amounts of brighteners,
• Double sided • PVC components heavy fillers degradable additives
SMALL PACKAGING EPS No, package is NOT designed for recycling plastic/polymer/resi (including labels) • Large labels (that • Attachments &
Other plastic (PETG, CPET, n coatings • Degradable additives aren’t APR approved) Closures: Metal, foils,
SMALL PACKAGING PC, multimaterial, or No, package is NOT designed for recycling • Large labels (that • Metal attachments PP, PVC, floating
aren’t APR approved) silicone polymer,
blended resins)
• Metal attachments RFIDs
SMALL PACKAGING Glass • Labels: paper, PVC,
Yes ,Proceed to step 2 PLS, PS, metal foils,
SMALL PACKAGING Other non-plastic No, package is NOT designed for recycling non-APR preferred
labels
SMALL PACKAGING Molded Pulp/Fiber Yes ,Proceed to step 2
SMALL PACKAGING Corrugate Yes ,Proceed to step 2 Refer to the Trays, Clamshells, & Thermoforms section of the Walmart Recycling
Playbook to determine if your package is designed for recycling.
SMALL PACKAGING Paperboard Yes ,Proceed to step 2
49
HOW RECYCLABILITY IS
DETERMINED & FAQS

50
How recyclability is captured
Walmart utilizes the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s definition for recyclable, reusable, and industrially compostable packaging
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s definition for each packaging type + base material is geographically agnostic. The system auto calculates this total for
you when you enter in your packaging data into the survey . See the diagram below for more information on how recyclability of an item is determined.

Simplified version of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Definition for Recyclability

Packaging not recyclable

No

No

Step 1: Does a ‘system for Yes Step 2: Do the various

recycling’ exist in practice
packaging components fit
and at scale for this
that ‘system for recycling’?
packaging category?
Yes

Packaging recyclable

PACKAGING
Walmart is referencing the Ellen TYPE
PACKAGING MATERIAL
STEP ONE: YES OR NO Walmart’s Recycling
BOTTLE & JUG PET Yes, proceed to step 2
MacArthur Foundation’s BOTTLE & JUG HDPE Yes, proceed to step 2 Playbook is a resource to
guidance document to identify BOTTLE & JUG PVC No, package is NOT recyclable
No, package is NOT recyclable answer Step 2 of the Ellen
BOTTLE & JUG LDPE
packaging that can proceed to BOTTLE & JUG LLDPE No, package is NOT recyclable MacArthur Foundation’s
Step 2. BOTTLE & JUG
BOTTLE & JUG
PP
PS
Yes, proceed to step 2
No, package is NOT recyclable
recyclability definition
BOTTLE & JUG EPS No, package is NOT recyclable
Other plastic (PETG, CPET, PC,
Look for this chart on each BOTTLE & JUG multimaterial, or blended
resins) No, package is NOT recyclable
guidance page. BOTTLE & JUG Other non- plastic No, package is NOT recyclable
52
Walmart utilizes the Ellen Macarthur Foundation’s definitions for
recyclability, recycled content, compostability and reuse
Below are Walmart’s summarized version of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s definitions. For the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s full
definitions, please visit: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/13319-Global-Commitment-Definitions.pdf

Recyclable PCR Compostable Bio-based Reuse

Definition: If it is in compliance Definition: Made from renewable Definition: Operation by which
Definition: If it is successful post- Definition: Proportion, by mass,
with relevant international resources instead of fossil fuels. packaging is refilled or used for
consumer collection, sorting, and of post-consumer (1) recycled
compostability standards and if Examples of renewable carbon the same purpose for which it
recycling is proven to work in material in a product or
its successful post-consumer resources include corn, potatoes, was conceived,
practice and at scale (1). packaging.
collection, (sorting), and rice, soy, sugarcane, wheat, and with or without the support of
composting is proven to work in vegetable oil. A biobased plastic auxiliary products present on the
(1) The suggested test and (1) Post-consumer recycled
practice and at scale. can be partly or entirely market, enabling the packaging
threshold to assess if the content (PCR) is material
biobased. to
recyclability of a packaging generated by households or by
be refilled.
design is proven ‘in practice and commercial, industrial and
Note that just because a plastic
at scale’ is: institutional facilities in their role
product is biobased does not Reusable packaging is
• Does that packaging achieve a as end users of the product which
necessarily mean the product is packaging which has been
30% post-consumer recycling can no longer be used for its
biodegradable, recyclable or designed to accomplish or proves
rate in multiple regions, intended purpose. This includes
compostable. its ability to accomplish a
collectively representing at returns of material from the
minimum number of trips or
least 400 million inhabitants? distribution chain.
rotations in a system for reuse.
The above threshold might be
reviewed by EMF over time as
more data becomes available.
Packaging that does NOT meet the Ellen Macarthur Foundation’s
threshold for in-practice & at scale

NO packaging in the red or yellow pages of the

Recycling Playbook meets the Ellen MacArthur
Foundation’s threshold for in-practice and at scale. This
includes:
• Bottles made with PVC, LDPE, LLDPE, PS, EPS,
Other plastic
• Blister packs
• Any non-HDPE tray, clamshell, thermoform, jar, tub,
cup, or pail
• Tubes
• Paper based with metal cans, canisters, or cartons
• Plastic bags, films, pouches or sachets
• Plastic foam cushion, dunnage, inserts
• Plastic boxes or hang tags, backer or header cards
• Small packaging
54

Frequently asked questions

• What is a primary package?
• Packaging that goes home with the customer (this excludes:
ecommerce/shipping packaging, shelf/retail ready packaging, PDQ trays, small
hang tags (<2.5”), stickers)
• Why are some packaging type + base material listed as not recyclable in the
survey, but identified as recyclable in the Walmart Recycling Playbook?
• Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s definition of recyclability has two steps:
Step One: Does a “system for recycling” exist in practice and at
scale? and
Step Two: Do the components fit the “system for recycling”?

• Walmart’s Recycling Playbook focuses on Step 2 and is founded on APR’s

guidance documents