Read, Recycle, Be Responsible

You just finished using the last of your ProSand® Multi-Air Cyclonic® hook and loop vacuum discs. Holding the empty package makes you pause. Do you toss it in the trash? Or maybe you can recycle it?

Now you don’t have to wonder. Norton® | Saint-Gobain has joined hundreds of manufacturers in the How2Recycle® labeling program. How2Recycle is a project of GreenBlue. The program’s mission is to get more materials in the recycling bin by taking the guesswork out of recycling. 

“We’re trying to make a visible connection between our corporate vision, organizations like GreenBlue, and you – our customer,” said Dennis Mueller, Director of Product Safety and EHS&S. “We’ve made the commitment to greater sustainability across all our brands. Joining forces with other manufacturers and committed environmental groups is part two of the equation. And engaging your participation is the only way to truly succeed.”

To that end, How2Recycle offers a standardized system for labeling packaging materials. The intent is to help you quickly and easily assess how to dispose of packaging components most effectively. You’ll see this label used on everything from frozen dinners to laundry detergent to car wax. No matter where you see it, the look and feel of the label will be the same, helping you quickly take the right action.

How to Read the Label

Take a look at your package and locate the triple-arrow triangle. The information you need will surround this symbol.

As you can see from the example above, some packages may have more than one component or item. For example, you might have a plastic wrap surrounding a printed cardboard insert. The How2Recycle label will give you instructions for each component or tell you if any of the components can’t be recycled. In some cases, there may be instructions to take certain materials to a Store Drop-off location for recycling (US only). An effort is currently underway to develop a new, comprehensive directory of film collection locations that will be featured on the Store Drop-off page.

Working Toward a Goal

Converting all packaging for Norton | Saint-Gobain brands to the How2Recyle labeling is a process. As existing inventory is naturally reduced, the old labeling will be replaced. The full makeover will therefore be completed over the next few years. During that time, Saint-Gobain will continue to consider newer options for more earth-friendly materials and incorporate those into the packaging as well. 

“Our goal is always to be responsible and accountable to our fellow citizens and our environment,” said Mueller. “That’s why we’ve made this commitment to improve our own practices as well as help organizations like GreenBlue educate and encourage true recycling efforts that will make a difference.”