Recyclable Packaging – The Most Accessible Sustainable Option

by Thomas Whitman | Dec 16, 2025 | News, Packaging

The Role of Recyclable Packaging in Today’s Supply Chain

Recyclable packaging remains the backbone of modern sustainability programs. With widespread municipal recycling infrastructure and strong advantages under emerging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, recyclable materials offer a cost-effective, scalable path for organizations committed to reducing waste and improving circularity.

While not all recyclable materials perform equally, focusing on widely accepted streams such as corrugated cardboard, paper, PET, and HDPE provides businesses with immediate environmental and financial benefits. These materials are easy to source, easy to recover, and easy for consumers to recycle correctly.

Recyclable Packaging Available Through Arnold Packaging

Arnold Packaging offers one of the region’s most extensive portfolios of recyclable packaging solutions, including:

Corrugated boxes – Versatile, durable, and accepted in virtually all recycling systems.
Recyclable paper void fill – A sustainable replacement for plastic loose fill or foam.
Recyclable air pillows – Lightweight cushioning with lower material use and full recyclability at designated drop-off locations.
PET and HDPE packaging components – High-value plastics that are among the most widely recycled materials in the U.S.
Paper-based protective alternatives – Engineered to replace foam and mixed-material components without compromising protection.

These solutions integrate seamlessly into most shipping programs, making them one of the fastest and simplest ways for businesses to advance their sustainability goals.

Sustainable packaging solutions for small businesses

Where Recyclable Packaging Ranks in the Sustainability Hierarchy

In the hierarchy of eco-friendly packaging, recyclable materials rank below reusable and compostable options, yet they remain more sustainable than source-reduction alone or traditional single-use plastics. For many companies, recyclable packaging represents the most practical entry point into responsible material usage.

If you are exploring compostable alternatives or curious about how recyclable options compare, be sure to review our companion article on home-compostable and biodegradable packaging for a deeper understanding of disposal benefits and EPR impacts.

Build a Smarter, More Sustainable Packaging Program

Recyclable packaging is an essential step toward more circular, compliant operations. Whether you want to upgrade your materials, reduce waste, or meet new EPR requirements, Arnold Packaging can help you evaluate your current packaging stream and identify high-impact improvements.