How Home Depot is tackling 'harmful' packaging

As innovation around sustainable packaging evolves and recycling infrastructure expands, The Home Depot (HD) is working to meet customers’ expectations for packaging that’s also good for the environment. By eliminating certain harmful materials and reducing the overall amount of packaging used, the company is striving to help reduce landfill waste and lower packaging-related greenhouse gas emissions.

HD's packaging team partners with its private-brand product suppliers to apply science to create better packaging options. From 2017 through 2023, HD redesigned more than 1,280 packages to reduce size and materials.

Eliminating EPS and PVC

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam is a lightweight, rigid packaging material, while Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) film is a thinner, more flexible protective filler. They are both made from synthetic substances and can take more than a century to biodegrade.

HD has eliminated EPS foam and PVC film in new packaging for its private-brand products sold in the U.S., Canada and online. In 2023 alone, the company eliminated approximately 6.0 million cubic feet of EPS—equal to approximately 67 Olympic-sized swimming pools—and more than 39 million square feet of PVC film—enough to cover more than 513 soccer fields—from its private-brand packaging. The company also reduced its shipping costs with right-sized packages.

Moving forward, HD is pledging to continue partnering with its suppliers to keep these materials out of future packaging. The company's packaging team has expanded its commitment by working toward its new packaging goal for all new private-brand fiber packaging to be compostable, recyclable or from recycled content across its U.S. and Canada stores by fiscal 2027.

“We believe that by embedding sustainability into our business strategy, we can create long-term success for our associates, customers, communities, and shareholders. Our efforts to promote operational efficiencies, minimize waste, and drive product innovation will help us move our industry forward,” said Candace Rodriguez, senior director of sustainability at The Home Depot.

In support of its continued effort to reduce packaging waste, The Home Depot achieved its goal of removing expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film from new packaging for its private-brand products.

Corrugate Corner

• In 2023, Home Depot eliminated 39 million square feet of PVC film and approximately 6.0 million cubic feet of EPS from product packaging and replaced them with molded pulp and paper.
• By removing these hard-to-recycle materials, HD says it lessens its environmental footprint, reduces shipping costs and gives customers a better experience by reducing their packaging waste.

Expanded Polystyrene Foam (EPS)

Fiber-based packaging goal

HD's new packaging goal is for all new private-brand fiber packaging to be compostable, recyclable or made with recycled content across all U.S. and Canada stores by the start of fiscal 2027.

HD defines fiber packaging as:

• Paper
• Paper board
• Blister cards
• Corrugate
• Molded pulp
• Paper materials

HD's process starts with researching current U.S. and Canada recycling infrastructure capabilities. Then the company communicates its new goal with suppliers, including revised expectations and timelines. Next, HD seeks to explore alternative material options for fiber-based packaging. As HD finds sustainable alternatives or creates new designs, new products will be compliant as they are onboarded, and existing items will be assessed and updated.

HD also says that its new packaging must not only be more sustainable but also perform as well as or better than the existing packaging to meet customer expectations.

You can read Home Depot's original post here.