Guide to Sustainable Packaging Symbols: How2Recycle, BPI, FSC, SCS, SFI, CarbonNeutral, understanding what they mean for your packaging choices

Sustainable packaging certifications help brands communicate recyclability, compostability, carbon impact and material sourcing. This guide breaks down five common eco‑labels used across packaging and provides clear guidance for designers, CPG founders and sustainability teams choosing the right certification

How2Recycle: The Label That Finally Solved “Can I Recycle This?

What How2Recycle means

How2Recycle (H2R) is a standardized on‑package labeling system created by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (a project of the nonprofit GreenBlue) to provide consistent and transparent recycling instructions. Variations in recycling programs, unclear labeling and inaccurate recyclability claims make proper recycling a challenge; How2Recycle addresses this by telling consumers how to dispose of each component of a package. 

How2Recycle‘s Impact & Adoption:

• Rapid industry uptake: As of today, over 525 brands and 209,000+ packaged products carry the How2Recycle label (nearly double the participants since 2021). This reflects major growth as companies seek to educate consumers on proper disposal.
• Reducing recycling confusion: A 2024 report found that only 21% of recyclable material in U.S. households actually gets recycled, with 76% of recyclables lost to landfill due to consumer confusion or lack of access. By giving clear, consistent instructions (e.g. “Remove cap. Recycle bottle.”), How2Recycle helps close this gap and divert more packaging from landfills.
• Customized guidance: The program has created 11,000+ unique label variations to date for different packaging scenarios, ensuring that whether a package is a plastic film, multi-layer pouch, or cardboard box, consumers get accurate recycling or disposal directions.

What How2Recycle certifies

Unlike certifications that test material composition, How2Recycle provides on‑pack disposal guidance. Each label has four parts: (1) a recyclability designation: Widely Recyclable, Check Locally, Store Drop‑off or Not Yet Recyclable; (2) the packaging material (e.g., PET, HDPE, paper); (3) the packaging item (e.g., bottle, film); and (4) special instructions or geographic qualifiers. For instance, “Widely Recyclable” means at least 60 % of Americans and 50 % of Canadians can recycle the package through curbside or drop‑off programs. “Store Drop‑off” applies to certain polyethylene film packaging in the US and directs consumers to take it to participating retailers. “Check Locally” indicates limited recycling access and encourages consumers to verify local rules. “Not Yet Recyclable” signals that less than 20 % of Americans and Canadians can recycle the material. 

Where How2Recycle appears

You’ll find the How2Recycle box on a wide variety of consumer packaging, from shampoo bottles and snack pouches to paperboard boxes. The label contains small icons and text instructing whether each component should go in curbside recycling, store drop‑off bins or the trash.

What brands should know

• Membership program: Brands become members of How2Recycle by paying an annual fee and submitting detailed packaging specifications. Each package featuring the label undergoes an individual recyclability assessment. 
• Participation scale: Over 330 brandowners and retailers representing more than 2,600 brands participate, along with 100 packaging producers. 
• Feedback for improvement: How2Recycle’s platform provides brands with feedback and recommendations to improve packaging recyclability and track progress. 
• Not a government mark: The program is voluntary and non‑governmental, though it aligns with US and Canadian regulations.

Common confusion

• Official status: Because the label looks authoritative, some consumers assume it is government‑approved; in fact it is run by a nonprofit coalition. 
• Guarantee of recyclability: The label does not certify that a package is recyclable everywhere; instead it clarifies how to dispose of each component (e.g., store drop‑off vs. trash). 
• One‑size‑fits‑all: Each package is evaluated individually. A “Widely Recyclable” label on one product does not mean all products of that material are widely recyclable.

BPI Certified Compostable: What It Means and How Brands Should Use 

What BPI Certified Compostable means:

BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute) Certified Compostable is the most widely recognised industrial‑compost certification in North America. It verifies that a material will fully break down into harmless organic matter in a commercial composting facility, typically within about 90 days under controlled temperatures and humidity.

BPI‘s Impact & Adoption:

• Tens of thousands of certified products: Over 51,000 products (from cups and cutlery to packaging films) have been BPI-certified compostable in the program’s 25-year history. This third-party verification gives assurance that these items will biodegrade properly under composting conditions rather than lingering as pollution.
  
• Infrastructure challenges: Compostable packaging’s potential is high, but access remains limited. As of 2024, only about 11% of the U.S. population has access to any municipal compost program that accepts compostable packaging. In fact, only 7% of large U.S. cities offer curbside composting for compostable packaging, covering just around 3% of Americans. This means many “compostable” items still end up landfilled due to lack of facilities.
  
• Growing compost capacity: On a positive note, U.S. composting infrastructure is expanding. The number of composting facilities increased 55% between 2016 and 2021. As more industrial compost sites come online and accept certified compostables, the value of BPI-certified packaging in diverting waste from landfills will continue to grow. (Food waste is a major target: in 2019 only 5% of U.S. food waste was composted, with the rest landfilled, so there is huge room for improvement via compostable packaging and collection.

What BPI Certified Compostable Certifies: 

To earn the BPI mark, products must pass four tests: biodegradation (complete breakdown within the time frame), disintegration (no visible fragments), ecotoxicity (no harm to plants) and heavy‑metal content (below safety thresholds). This rigorous testing turns “compostable” into a verified, science‑based claim rather than a marketing phrase.

Where BPI Certified Compostable appears:

You’ll see the small green leaf logo on cups, salad bowls, and takeaway boxes used in coffee shops, campuses and quick‑service restaurants. Brands such as Starbucks, Chipotle and Sweetgreen rely on BPI‑certified materials for hot and cold foods.

What brands should know:

• Compostable ≠ biodegradable; biodegradable products can take years to break down, whereas BPI‑certified items must degrade within 90 days.
• BPI certification applies to industrial composting; most home compost systems lack the heat and moisture needed for these materials.
• For brands moving away from plastics, a BPI or OK Compost mark provides proof to retailers and consumers that your packaging truly returns to nature.

Common confusion:

• Home vs. industrial composting: Many consumers assume they can compost BPI items at home, but these products need industrial conditions.
• Compostable vs. recyclable: BPI certification does not imply recyclability; compostable items belong in the compost stream, not the recycling bin.

FSC: The Global Standard for Responsible Paper Packaging

What FSC means:

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification is the most recognised standard for responsible paper sourcing worldwide. It ensures that paper and board come from forests managed in an environmentally and socially responsible way.

FSC Impact & Adoption:

• Responsible forestry at scale: FSC is often called the “gold standard” of forestry certification. Globally, it has certified over 550 million acres of forest land. About 5% of the world’s forests. This includes nearly 155 million acres in the U.S. and Canada under FSC management, helping protect forest ecosystems while allowing for sustainable harvests. 
• Widespread use in packaging: Thousands of packaging producers and brands have adopted FSC for paper boxes, cartons, and cardboard. Notably, as of 2020, 100% of Tetra Pak’s packaging material is FSC-certified, meaning every one of their beverage cartons worldwide comes from responsibly sourced fiber. Major companies in retail and consumer goods (from IKEA to Nike) now specify FSC paper packaging to meet corporate sustainability goals. 
• Credibility and trust: FSC is the only forestry certification supported by major environmental NGOs like WWF and Sierra Club, which lends it strong credibility in the marketplace. One survey found that “responsible forestry” (as indicated by FSC) ranks second only to quality as a driver of consumer purchase decisions for paper products.  

What it certifies:

There are three main FSC labels:

• FSC 100 %:  the product is entirely from FSC‑certified forests.
• FSC Mix: a combination of certified and recycled fibres.
• FSC Recycled:  made entirely from recycled paper.
  

Where it appears:

FSC logos appear on corrugated boxes, folding cartons, paper sleeves and luxury rigid boxes. They are widely used by tech brands (Apple), personal‑care companies (L’Oréal) and coffee chains to show that their paper packaging comes from verified sources.

What brands should know:

• Printing the FSC logo requires a chain‑of‑custody audit, ensuring traceability from forest to final product.
• Many retailers and e‑commerce platforms require FSC‑certified packaging for private‑label and branded products.
• FSC certification adds credibility to sustainability claims and signals responsible sourcing to consumers.

Common confusion:

• FSC vs. recycling: FSC guarantees responsible forest management but does not indicate recyclability.
• Universal applicability: only paper‑based substrates from certified mills and printers can bear the FSC mark.

SCS Recycled Content: The Label That Verifies Actual Recycled Percentage

What SCS means: 

SCS (SCS Global Services) Recycled Content certification verifies the exact percentage of post‑consumer and post‑industrial recycled material in a product. It turns vague claims like “contains recycled content” into quantifiable data backed by third‑party audits.

SCS’s Impact & Adoption:

• Driving circular materials: In many packaging types, recycled content is still low. For example, plastic packaging in the U.S. contained only about 9.4% post-consumer recycled content on average as of 2022. Independent certification shines a light on these metrics and encourages companies to increase that percentage. Some brands have begun setting minimum recycled content targets (often 25–50%), and SCS certification is a tool to credibly communicate those achievements.
  
• Paper packaging success: The SCS label is often found on products like paperboard cartons, indicating a verified recycled fiber content. This helps brands quantify their use of recycled material and consumers verify the claim.
  
• Environmental gains: Using recycled content substantially reduces energy use and emissions in manufacturing. For example, making aluminum cans from recycled aluminum uses 95% less energy than producing cans from virgin bauxite ore. Similarly, using recycled plastics or paper saves significant resources. 

What SCS certifies:

The program checks documentation and chain‑of‑custody to confirm the type and proportion of recycled material. Manufacturers must demonstrate that the reported percentage matches what is actually in the product.

Where SCS appears:

You may spot the SCS green circle on corrugated shipping boxes, paper sleeves and hang tags, as well as in ESG reports and sustainability pages of North American brands.

What brands should know:

• Many brands make unverified recycled claims; SCS certification provides transparent proof.
• The label can be used publicly once the product’s recycled content is validated.
• SCS certification is especially valuable for brands seeking to comply with retailer sustainability policies or ESG reporting frameworks.

Common confusion:

• Self‑declared percentages: brands cannot simply state a recycled percentage without documentation; SCS requires verification.
• Recyclability vs. recycled content: SCS certification verifies recycled input but does not relate to whether the product is itself recyclable.
  

SFI: The North American Standard for Sustainable Forestry

What SFI means:

SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) is the leading forest‑management certification in the United States and Canada. It focuses on local community engagement, biodiversity conservation and responsible harvesting.

SFI’s Impact & Adoption:

• North American reach: As of early 2025, around 363 million acres of forests in the U.S. and Canada are certified to the SFI Forest Management Standard. This makes SFI the single largest forestry certification program in the world by area. (About 40% of all certified forest land globally is in North America, largely under SFI and FSC.) For context, SFI’s certified area, 363 million acres, is roughly equivalent to the land area of California, Texas, and New York combined being managed to sustainable forestry practices. 
• Market demand growth: Surveys show that demand for certified sustainable fiber is rising. In 2024, 79% of SFI-certified organizations reported steady or increasing market demand for SFI-certified products. Large retailers and consumer goods companies are increasingly requiring forest certification for their paper packaging. In fact, nearly 30% of Fortune 100 companies were using an SFI on-product label by 2024 (often alongside or in addition to FSC certifications), reflecting how mainstream sustainable sourcing has become. 

What SFI certifies:

SFI standards verify sustainable forest management, legal compliance, biodiversity protection and chain‑of‑custody tracking from forest to finished paper products.

Where SFI appears:

You’ll find the SFI leaf logo on cartons, hang tags and other paper packaging used by US and Canadian brands—particularly in outdoor, food and regional retail sectors.

What brands should know:

• SFI is often used interchangeably with FSC in North America, yet the standards differ: FSC is global, whereas SFI focuses on US/Canadian forests.
• Many North American mills are primarily SFI‑certified; lack of an FSC label does not necessarily indicate non‑compliance.
• For brands targeting local markets, SFI certification signals commitment to community forestry and regional ecosystems.
  

Common confusion: 

• SFI vs. FSC: some assume SFI is inferior or mutually exclusive with FSC. In reality, the two certifications have different scopes and can coexist.
• Applicability: SFI is not a global standard; it’s tailored to the North American forestry context.
  

CarbonNeutral®: The Certification That Balances Your Packaging’s Carbon Footprint

What CarbonNeutral® means: 

CarbonNeutral® certification, managed by Climate Impact Partners, verifies that a brand has measured, reduced and offset all greenhouse‑gas emissions associated with its product’s lifecycle—from material extraction through manufacturing, transport and disposal.

Impact & Adoption:

• Enterprise-level adoption: As of 2025, more than 300 companies have become CarbonNeutral certified, including major brands like Microsoft, Logitech, Marks & Spencer, and UPS. This often covers their business operations, but increasingly brands are certifying specific products or packaging lines as CarbonNeutral to meet climate-conscious consumers’ expectations.
  
• Emissions offset and reduced: The firm behind CarbonNeutral (Climate Impact Partners) reports that, through its projects and client commitments, it has facilitated the reduction or removal of over 100 million metric tons of CO₂ to date (and surpassed 150 million tons by 2025). This is equivalent to annual emissions of some mid-sized countries. Each CarbonNeutral product contributes by offsetting its carbon footprint via investments in renewable energy, reforestation, methane capture, and other vetted carbon projects.
  
• Product-level innovation: Brands are using CarbonNeutral to differentiate climate-friendly products. For example, over 825,000 Xbox game consoles were sold as CarbonNeutral-certified editions as part of a Microsoft initiative. Similarly, the Sky “Glass” television was launched as the first carbon-neutral TV, and shoe brand Brooks released a carbon-neutral running shoe. Moreover, CarbonNeutral is recognized by platforms like Amazon’s Climate Pledge Friendly program, meaning certified products get an added badge on Amazon’s marketplace: a clear incentive for brands to pursue this certification for market advantage.

What CarbonNeutral® certifies:

Certification requires a life‑cycle assessment of carbon emissions, a reduction plan and the purchase of verified carbon credits supporting projects such as renewable energy and reforestation. Independent auditors review the calculations and offset strategies.

Where CarbonNeutral® appears:

The CarbonNeutral® logo often appears on premium packaging, secondary packaging and corporate sustainability communications. It signifies a commitment to climate responsibility.

What brands should know: 

• CarbonNeutral® does not mean zero emissions; it signifies that remaining emissions are measured and offset through credible projects.
• The certification is voluntary and often used by high‑end or mission‑driven brands seeking to demonstrate leadership in climate action.
• Achieving CarbonNeutral® status can be more costly than other certifications, due to the need for life‑cycle assessments and ongoing offsets.
  

Common confusion: 

• “Carbon neutral” vs. zero emissions: offsetting emissions does not make them disappear but balances them through external projects.
• Applicability: it’s not necessary for every SKU; many brands use it for flagship products or corporate‑level commitments.
• Accountability and credibility: The CarbonNeutral Protocol requires rigorous annual reviews and updates Companies can’t just “buy their way” to the label without also demonstrating internal emissions reductions. 

Label	Applies To	What It Certifies / Guides	Typical Use	Misconceptions	Best For
How2Recycle	All consumer packaging	Disposal instructions (widely recyclable, check locally, store drop‑off, not yet recyclable)	Bottles, pouches, boxes	People think it’s government‑approved or guarantees recyclability	Brands seeking clear recycling guidance and consumer trust
BPI	Compostable plastics & fibres	Industrial compostability (90 days)	Cups, bowls, takeout containers	Compostable ≠ biodegradable; not for home compost	Food & beverage packaging seeking compostability
FSC	Paper & fibre products	Responsible forest management & chain‑of‑custody	Boxes, sleeves, luxury cartons	FSC ≠ recyclable; not all paper qualifies	Brands needing verified sustainable paper sourcing
SCS Recycled	Any material with recycled content	Verified post‑consumer/post‑industrial %	Shipping boxes, hang tags	Recycled claims can be self‑declared	Products promoting transparent recycled content
SFI	North American forest products	Sustainable forestry & local sourcing	US/Canada cartons, tags	Confused with FSC; limited global recognition	Brands focused on US/Canadian market sustainability
CarbonNeutral	Entire packaging life cycle	Measured & offset greenhouse‑gas emissions	Premium packaging & ESG reports	Neutral ≠ zero emissions; not material specific	Climate‑conscious brands showcasing carbon action

Dylign: Making Sustainable Packaging Affordable and Accessible

Dylign’s core belief is that “accessibility shouldn’t be a tradeoff” when it comes to eco-friendly packaging. We believe small brands deserve access to the same climate-forward packaging as big companies without the steep price or high MOQs, ensuring green materials aren’t a luxury only big brands can afford. 

Low MOQs for Sustainable Packaging

A hallmark of Dylign’s value proposition is packaging without 10,000 unit minimums. Unlike traditional factories that demand massive orders, Dylign offers low minimum order quantities (as low as 100 units) for sustainable custom packaging. By re-engineering packaging workflows to be more inclusive of smaller runs, Dylign lets growing brands access the same high-quality, sustainable packaging once reserved for big-budget orders. The result is less waste (no more warehouses full of unused boxes) and less cash tied up in packaging. Packaging should be your fastest test channel, not a landfill in waiting.

Affordable Sustainable Packaging for Small Businesses

Climate-forward doesn’t have to mean cost-prohibitive. At Dylign, we believe the real ESG means access. Sustainable specs that founders can actually afford, not options reserved for the biggest companies. Dylign offers recyclable and compostable packaging options at prices often lower than many standard packaging materials, ensuring founders can afford to go green. The result is climate-conscious packaging that protects both your brand’s values and its margins.

ESG guidance saves time for founders

Not every growing brand has an in-house sustainability expert, so Dylign acts as a fractional ESG team for your brand. Dylign translates complex sustainability standards and certifications into ready-to-use packaging specs, and openly shares our playbooks so greener choices are accessible to all. In short, Dylign equips your team with the knowledge and confidence to meet environmental goals without the need to hire a dedicated ESG department.