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Sustainable Packaging Guidelines

Version: 1.0; Status: Final; Current version effective since January 2023

Table of Contents

  1. 1 Commitment and Approach
  2. 2 Summary of Guidelines
  3. 3 Minimum Requirements and Preferred Materials
    1. 3.1 Bags, Films, Pouches
    2. 3.2 Foam Cushions, Dunnage, Inserts – Guidance
    3. 3.3 Corrugate/Corrugate Board
  4. 4 Closing

1 Commitment and Approach

Our Commitment

Room & Board is committed to sustainably designing and sourcing products through improved materials and practices. Sustainability is a thread woven through everything we do, from how we make our furniture to how we operate our business. Our goal is to be a sustainability leader that positively impacts society and the world. Using more sustainable packaging is a key part of our efforts.

Our Approach

Room & Board’s aim is to design recyclable packaging that is made with more sustainable materials. Therefore, we work closely with our vendor partners on packaging that is both more sustainable and protects products through the supply chain. Protecting the product throughout the supply chain remains a core responsibility as we continue to shift to more sustainable packaging1. We aspire to raise standards, influence our industry, and work with vendor partners who align with our ethical values and standards.

Our Sustainable Packaging Guidelines are applicable to all our vendor partners that manufacture products for Room & Board and complement our Vendor Code of Conduct and other sustainable guidelines and polices. The Sustainable Packaging Guidelines will be reviewed on a regular basis to incorporate updates. We are focused on continuous improvement, and we expect our vendor partners to demonstrate clear progress. Room & Board vendor partners are expected to take necessary corrective actions to promptly remediate any noncompliance. Room & Board reserves the right to terminate its business relationship with any vendor partners who are unwilling and/or unable to comply with the minimum requirements of the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines.

We have a three-pronged approach to shifting towards more sustainable packaging: (1) Design & Innovate, (2) Source Sustainably, and (3) Circulate Easily.

1. Design & Innovate
2. Source Sustainably
3. Circulate Easily
  • Minimize material usage
  • Protect the product through transit
  • Explore innovations from industry leaders
  • Source renewable and recycled materials
  • Reduce petroleum-based packaging wherever possible
  • Eliminate Styrofoam, PVC, and PFAS
  • Recyclable at curbside
  • Reusable
  • Compostable

2 Summary of Guidelines

The following table summarizes the minimum requirements for vendor partners as well as guidance for continuous progress towards use of preferred materials and improved sourcing practices.

Type
Minimum Requirements
Preferred
Bags, Films, Pouches
  • Review current assortment and explore potential options for improvement
  • Move away from petroleum-based products and shift to a different recyclable format (e.g., paperboard box, carton, HDPE tub). A paper-based solution for 100% recycled and recyclable packaging is ideal, as it simplifies recycling for our customers
  • If shifting away from a petroleum-based product isn’t possible, move to a similar solution with polyethylene (PE) material only (e.g, LDPE) which is more easily recyclable.
  • Continue to explore more sustainable options and leverage industry guidance such as APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability and APR testing2
Foam Cushions, Dunnage3, Inserts
  • Review current assortment and explore potential options for improvement
  • Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is not allowed within case goods, upholstery and home décor product
  • Shift away from expanded polystyrene (EPS) in categories such as lighting
  • Redesign packaging so cushioning, dunnage or inserts are reduced or not needed
  • Utilize curbside recyclable materials, such as corrugate, paper or paperboard wherever possible
Corrugate / Corrugate Board
  • Review current assortment and explore potential options for improvement
  • Increase recycled, renewable or certified responsibly sourced (e.g., FSC) fibers/materials
  • Use natural color to reduce inks/dyes
  • Eliminate any coatings
  • Direct print vs adding additional labels
  • Use recyclable paper for necessary shipping labels
  • Use minimal tape/adhesive. Water-based alternatives are preferred

3 Minimum Requirements and Preferred Materials

3.1 Bags, Films, Pouches

These packaging formats are usually petroleum-based products and mainly used for hardware components, pillows, textiles, hooks, and small accessories. There are several challenges, including difficulty for consumers to separate multiple materials for recycling, as well as the fact that many materials (e.g., nylon, PET, PP, PVC, PVDC) are not accepted in curbside recycling or US store-drop off recycling programs. This can result in recycling contamination.

Minimum Requirements
Preferred
  • Review current assortment and explore potential options for improvement
  • Move away from petroleum-based products and shift to a different recyclable format (e.g., paperboard box, carton, HDPE tub). A paper-based solution for 100% recycled and recyclable packaging is ideal, as it simplifies recycling for our customers
  • If shifting away from a petroleum-based product isn’t possible, move to a similar solution with polyethylene (PE) material only (e.g, LDPE) which is more easily recyclable
  • Continue to explore more sustainable options and leverage industry guidance such as APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability and APR testing4

3.2 Foam Cushions, Dunnage, Inserts

These packaging formats are mainly used as padding and filler material to protect the product during transit. Many materials (e.g., nylon, PET, PP, PVC, PVDC) are not ideal, as they are not accepted in curbside recycling, community recycling programs, or US store-drop off recycling programs, which can result in recycling contamination.

Minimum Requirements
Preferred
  • Review current assortment and explore potential options for improvement.
  • Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is not allowed within case goods, upholstery and home décor product.
  • Shift away from expanded polystyrene (EPS) in categories such as lighting
  • Redesign packaging so cushioning, dunnage or inserts are reduced or not needed
  • Utilize curbside recyclable materials, such as corrugate, paper, or paperboard wherever possible.

3.3 Corrugate/Corrugate Board

This packaging type is used for the outer boxes and some internal cushioning. While the main material is usually recyclable at curbside, there is the opportunity to increase recycled and renewable material inputs. Also, there can be opportunities to improve the adhesives, coating, and graphics, etc.

Minimum Requirements
Preferred
  • Review current assortment and explore potential options for improvement
  • Increase recycled, renewable or certified responsibly sourced (e.g., FSC) fibers and materials
  • Use natural color to reduce inks/dyes
  • Eliminate any coatings
  • Direct print vs. adding additional labels
  • Use recyclable paper for necessary shipping labels
  • Use minimal tape/adhesive. Water-based alternatives are preferred

4 Closing

We appreciate and thank our vendors for their partnership. These Sustainable Packaging Guidelines are intended to share expectations and give guidance for continuous improvement to our vendor partners. If vendor partners have additional questions, they can reach out to their primary Room & Board contact.