Retailers’ Corrugated Recycling Profits Face EPR Threat

Recycling expert Myles Cohen reveals how major retailers are turning corrugated recycling into profit centers while preparing for EPR legislation. Private label brands, however, could take a hit.

Concerns for the environment may be at an all-time high, but consumer recycling compliance continues to fall. Shrinking participation notwithstanding, the curbside recycling chain is also plagued by infrastructure challenges and inefficiencies.

Fascinatingly, major retailers have carved out ways to not only make recycling happen on a large scale, but they’ve also succeeded with efficiency not seen in the consumer recycling realm, especially in the realm of paperboard recycling.

For insight into how retailers are able to achieve this success and how EPR legislation could impact it, Packaging Digest spoke to Myles Cohen, Founder of Circular Ventures, LLC, a renowned circular economy executive and ESG leader with in-depth recycling, waste, sustainable packaging, public policy, and government advocacy experience.

Most major retailers bale and sell their used corrugated materials. Walmart reported that its US stores, including Sams, recycled a combined 5.8 billion pounds of corrugated in 2023. 

Retail Recycling Profits While EPR Threatens Private Labels