Previously, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stated that marketers could advertise a product or package as “recyclable” when it could be “collected, separated, or otherwise recovered for the solid waste stream for reuse-or in the manufacture or assembly of another package or product through an established recycling program” by a “substantial majority” of consumers or communities where an item is sold. The FTC has now confirmed that 60% of U.S. municipalities qualifies as a “substantial majority.”

The logo, which features the words “Paperboard Packaging Recyclable” and a recycling mobius loop graphic, is designed to be printed on paper-based packaging that is composed of either virgin or recycled fiber.

“The paperboard packaging recyclable logo reflects a critical move forward for the paperboard converting industry in educating the public that the paperboard package is one of the most widely accessible packaging mediums that can be recycled,” says Steven Levkoff, chair of the PPC Board of Directors and of The Standard Group.

A high-resolution logo is available to packaging companies free of charge, provided that a licensing agreement be signed and returned to PPC. To receive a high-resolution logo, just visit www.ppcnet.org/recyclable and download, sign, and return the Logo Licensing Agreement to PPC. For more information, contact Emily Rae at emily@ppcnet.org or 413-686-9185.