If your packaging carries a recycling claim, the How2Recycle label has become the industry’s most recognized way to back it up. Created by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and administered by the nonprofit GreenBlue, it replaces vague chasing-arrows iconography with designations that reflect actual recycling infrastructure — meaning consumers get honest guidance and brands get defensible claims.
With the 2025 Pro label rollout already underway and California’s SB 343 compliance deadline approaching in October 2026, packaging teams can’t afford a wait-and-see approach. This guide walks you through exactly how How2Recycle certification works, what it takes to get your SKUs approved, and what you need to do right now to stay ahead of the timeline.
Quick Answer
How2Recycle certification requires joining the program as a member (annual fees range from roughly $2,000 to $6,000 depending on company size and Sustainable Packaging Coalition membership), then submitting detailed packaging specifications for each SKU — approximately 60 data points per submission — for technical review. Once approved, you receive official label artwork that communicates a specific recyclability designation to consumers. As of February 1, 2026, only the new How2Recycle Pro label designs are eligible for approval.
Understanding the Four Label Designations
Before submitting a single SKU, your team needs to understand what outcome is possible. How2Recycle assigns one of four primary designations based on a five-factor assessment: applicable law, consumer access to collection, sortation capability at Material Recovery Facilities, reprocessing viability, and end-market demand.
Widely Recyclable means your package is accepted by curbside programs serving at least 60% of the U.S. population — this is the designation most brands aim for. Check Locally applies when access falls between 20% and 60%, meaning recyclability depends heavily on where the consumer lives. Store Drop-Off is used for PE film items like poly mailers and flexible pouches that aren’t accepted curbside but can be dropped off at participating retail locations. Not Yet Recyclable applies when fewer than 20% of programs accept the material, or when a viable recycling pathway simply doesn’t exist yet.
Two additional designations exist as optional add-ons: How2Recycle Plus pairs a QR code with the standard label to deliver location-specific recycling instructions when scanned, and How2Compost is available for BPI-certified industrially compostable packaging (U.S. only). Every component of your package — inks, adhesives, closures, labels — factors into which designation is assigned, so a single non-compatible element can pull an otherwise recyclable structure into a lower category.
The Certification Process, Step by Step
Step 1 — Apply for membership. Reach out to the How2Recycle team at how2recycle@greenblue.org or through the GreenBlue membership portal. Membership is open to brands, material manufacturers, and converters. You’ll submit an intake form and receive access to the Member Platform.
Step 2 — Sign the membership agreement and pay dues. Annual fees run roughly $2,000 to $6,000 based on company size, with a discount available if your organization is already a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. The agreement outlines program expectations and label use guidelines.
Step 3 — Submit your packaging data. For each SKU you want labeled, you’ll enter approximately 60 data points into the Member Platform. This includes primary material and resin type, layer structure, film type, closure style, labels and adhesives, inks and coatings, and any windows or openings. If you’re working with complex multi-material structures or fiber-based packaging, testing data may be required before review can proceed.
Step 4 — Await technical review and receive label artwork. How2Recycle’s team evaluates every component of the submitted package and assigns a designation. Once approved, you receive the correct label artwork for each SKU. Designations can be revisited as materials or infrastructure evolve, so it’s worth resubmitting as your supply chain changes.
The 2025–2026 Pro Label Transition: What You Must Do Now
How2Recycle launched a redesigned label system in mid-2025. Legacy labels stopped being assigned on August 25, 2025, and the new How2Recycle Pro labels became available for approval starting September 4, 2025. During the transition window — August 2025 through February 1, 2026 — members could use either design. After February 1, 2026, only the Pro label is eligible for approval through the Member Platform, so any SKU still carrying a legacy label after that date is out of compliance with program guidelines.
The Pro label isn’t just a cosmetic update. The new design removes the words ‘recycle,’ ‘recyclable,’ and ‘recycling’ from instruction tabs — for example, ‘Flatten before recycling’ becomes simply ‘Flatten’ — and replaces the chasing-arrows icon with clearer imagery emphasizing collection location and disposal method. These changes directly address California’s SB 343 legislation, which goes into full effect for packaging manufactured after October 4, 2026. SB 343 restricts use of the chasing-arrows symbol to packaging that meets strict recyclability thresholds, so brands relying on legacy labels to satisfy California shelf requirements will need to transition well before that date.
Practical steps for packaging teams right now: audit your entire SKU portfolio and identify every instance of a legacy How2Recycle label, prioritize SKUs that are sold in California or are scheduled for a packaging refresh, access the Pro label rollout resources in your Member Platform, and build your print timeline backward from the October 2026 California deadline to ensure converted artwork reaches production in time.
Common Mistakes and Tips for a Smoother Certification
Don’t submit without required testing. Complex multi-material structures, fiber-based packaging, and PE films often require lab testing before How2Recycle can complete its review. Submitting without that data stalls the process — find out early whether your packaging format triggers a testing requirement.
Watch every component, not just the main substrate. A paper box with a non-removable plastic window or an irremovable shipping label can pull the entire package down to a ‘Not Yet Recyclable’ designation. Audit closures, adhesives, inks, and secondary labels as carefully as the primary material.
Don’t assume your designation is permanent. How2Recycle evaluations reflect current infrastructure. A packaging format that earns ‘Check Locally’ today may qualify for ‘Widely Recyclable’ as collection programs expand — resubmit as conditions change rather than leaving value on the table.
Start the Pro label transition before your next print run. Switching label artwork takes time across design, prepress, and print. Waiting until early 2026 to begin creates real risk of missing the February 1 program deadline or the October 2026 California compliance date, especially for brands with long print lead times or complex packaging portfolios.
Explore more: Packaging Compliance Resources.
How2Recycle label certification FAQs
Is How2Recycle certification legally required?
How2Recycle membership itself is not a legal mandate, but it is increasingly relevant to compliance. California’s SB 343 restricts which recyclability claims and symbols can appear on packaging sold in the state after October 4, 2026. The How2Recycle Pro label is designed to meet those requirements, making it a practical tool for brands navigating California law and anticipated similar legislation in other states.
What is the difference between How2Recycle and How2Recycle Plus?
How2Recycle is the standard certification program that assigns a fixed designation (Widely Recyclable, Check Locally, etc.) printed directly on the label. How2Recycle Plus is an optional upgrade that adds a QR code to the label; when scanned, it delivers location-specific recycling instructions based on the consumer’s address. Plus membership requires an additional upgrade from standard membership.
Can converters and material suppliers join How2Recycle, or only brands?
How2Recycle is open to brands, material manufacturers, and converters. Converters and suppliers often join to proactively assess the recyclability of the packaging structures they sell, which can make it easier for brand customers to complete their own SKU submissions down the line.
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Photo: Syced / CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.