Electronic Parts/Guidelines - infoHouse

Compostabla: Unqualified claims of compostability are deceptive. Claims should be made only if all
the materials in a package will break down into safe, usable compost. A distinction should be made as
to whether an item is appropriate only for composing in municipal facilities and not in the home
compost heap. All compostability claims should be scientifically substantiated.
Recyclable: It is deceptive to misrepresent that a package is recyclable. Many materials are techni-
cally recyclable. However, only packages that can be collected, separated and recovered from the
waste stream and used in the manufacture of a new product or package should be described as
recyclable. Where recycling of certain materials is limited or not available, or if a non-recyclable com-
ponent “significantly limits” recyclability of an item that is made primarily of recyclable material, the
claim should be avoided. Also, if the shape or size of a recyclable item makes it difficult or impossible
to recycle, the claim should not be used.
Recycled Content: It is deceptive to misrepresent that a package is made of recycled material. Pack-
ages made only partly of recycled content, claims should be qualified by amount or weight. Recycled
content claims should be used only for materials that have been recovered from the waste stream
during manufacturing (pre-consumer) or afler consumer (post-consumer). If the recycled material used
is pre-consumer, it must be substantiated that the pre-consumer material would have entered the solid
waste stream had it not been recycled. That means if spills and scrap of a virgin material are typically
collected and used for production, they do not qualify as recycled materials. If items contain both pre-
and post-consumer recycled content, those differences may be noted, but only if the claimed differ-
ences can be substantiated.
Source Reduction: It is deceptive to misrepresent that a package is lower in weight, volume or toxicity
than another package. Source reduction claims should be qualified. Comparisons with previous ver-
Sions of the same package should be fully explained.
Reflllabla: It is deceptive to misrepresent that a package is refillable. Unqualified refill claims may be
made only if a collection and return system fro refills exists.
SPI Symbol: The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) resin identification symbol (RIS), when used
alone and placed inconspicuously on a package, does not constitute environmental advertising.
5.2.3 Conclusions
Making environmental packaging claims is a complex issue that should only be done If the claims can
be substantiated. In the electronic industty there is little benefit to making environmental packaging
claims and therefore they should be avoided.
5.2.4 Recommendation
It is IBM’s position not to use environmental packaging claims, such as the recyclable symbol, as a
marketing tool, but rather to provide information by displaying the appropriate symbology to the con-
sumer so that the best disposal decision can be made. The preferred location on IBM packages for all
symbology is on the bottom of the container or similar inconspicuous spot.
44 Environmental Packaaina Guidelines