How2Recycle is excited to share our newest iteration of the Store Drop-off (SDO) label, which features a Store Drop-off bin and instructions telling consumers that the package is collected via “Store Drop-off.”
Designed to be clear to consumers and compliant with new legislation, the refreshed Store Drop-off label represents a change from the initial designs shared with How2Recycle members last Fall. Most notably, out of an abundance of caution around what California’s SB 343 will deem “recyclable,” the label design no longer features arrows in a circle in its symbology.
“Our members rely on us to navigate complex recycling landscapes, and consumers rely on us to tell them what to do with materials,” said How2Recycle Director Karen Hagerman. “We’re confident that this refreshed design will deliver on that trust.”
This new design captures How2Recycle’s ongoing commitment to adapting to meet the needs of a dynamic recycling system. While we neither lobby for legislation nor manage the Store Drop-off system, we adapt to changes across these landscapes to make sure that our members have industry-leading labels and consumers have the clarity they need to make the right disposal decision.
Enhanced Consumer Clarity
The updated design draws on findings from two rounds of comprehensive consumer research, which revealed that symbols are the most influential factor on people’s perception of the label. Guided by these and more consumer testing insights, we’ve refined our approach to make the label even more intuitive and action-oriented by featuring a symbol of a Store Drop-off bin with clear, actionable written instructions.
The SDO bin symbol provides a clear visual cue telling consumers what they need to do with their packaging or product, plus this label’s design mirrors our “Not Yet Recyclable” label, which features a symbol of a trash bin. The visual consistency helps consumers quickly understand where and how to get waste into the right streams.
Regulatory Compliance
In response to evolving legislation, like California’s SB 343, How2Recycle has taken proactive steps to ensure that our labels remain compliant for members. Since there’s some ambiguity in this legislation on whether Store Drop-off eligible packaging can be considered recyclable, out of an abundance of caution, How2Recycle has decided to remove the circular arrows symbol from our Store Drop-off labels.
Timeline for Implementation
We recognize the importance of giving members adequate time to implement these changes in their packaging designs and production cycles, and the How2Recycle team is working diligently to prepare for a rollout of the finalized label designs in August.
On April 4, CalRecycle published its SB 343 Material Characterization Study Final Findings. The How2Recycle team is actively analyzing the Study alongside supplementary data on recycling criteria, access, and sortation. Implementation for SB 343 is scheduled for October 2026, and our complete assessment and any recyclability decisions will be issued in our July Guidelines for Use.
In August, we will transition the labels available on the Member Platform to the new How2Recycle Pro labels. There is significant work required to update the entire portfolio of labels and ensure they are assigned appropriately to label requests. The August timeline aligns with the work we have to do behind-the-scenes to make the label transition possible and with the recyclability changes to be announced in the July Guidelines. In the months ahead, we’ll share more details on how the transition will take place and how it will affect members.
Advancing Circularity Through Multiple Solutions
How2Recycle acknowledges that Store Drop-off recycling isn’t perfect, but we firmly believe that achieving true circularity requires multiple complementary solutions. While curbside collection remains ideal where feasible, the Store Drop-off system continues to serve as a vital channel for reclaiming the films and flexible packaging that would otherwise end up in landfills.
To further substantiate and strengthen this system, the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s SDO Recovery Collaborative is leading a research study to better understand and document the effectiveness of the SDO recycling stream. This research will help inform future improvements to the program and provide valuable data on material flows.
We look forward to sharing more details about the implementation timeline and providing support to members as we transition to this updated label design. If you have questions about how these changes may affect your packaging, please reach out at how2recycle@greenblue.org