UPS Eco Responsible Packaging Program

The Eco Responsible Packaging Program was established for UPS's business customers to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable packaging.

Companies participating in this program allow UPS to conduct an evaluation of transportation packaging processes (i.e. the shipping container and internal material such as peanuts, Kraft paper, film, foam, etc.). It does not evaluate the product's own packaging.

To qualify for participation in the program and use of the logo, applicants must meet all criteria in three areas – damage prevention, right sizing, and materials content. Packaging materials are scored on:

Source distance (how far the material is transported from point of manufacture to point of use by the shipper)
Biodegradability (in real-world conditions)
Recyclability (whether recycling opportunities are readily available to the recipient of the packaging)
Utilized trips (anticipated actual reuse)
Material Makeup (renewable/plant-based, post-consumer content), and
Lifecycle metrics (as calculated by the COMPASS tool)

Once qualified, UPS customers are able to affix the UPS Eco Responsible Packaging Program logo on qualifying packages.

Learn more: UPS Eco Responsible Packaging Program website

Conformity assessment | How is compliance with this ecolabel's standard ensured?

Conformity with UPS Eco Responsible Packaging Program's standard is verified by our own organization (second party).

Certification / registration required

Applicants are certified against the ecolabels’s criteria before using the label

Managing organization | Who manages this ecolabel?

Name

UPS Customer Solutions

Member of

None

Type

For-profit

Also manages

UPS Carbon Neutral

Ecolabel Index pro | Subscription service

Additional data available to subscribers:

Ecolabel details | What are the characteristics of the standard(s) related to this ecolabel?

Applicable life cycle and supply chain phases
Social and environmental attributes
Mutual recognition with other ecolabels
Standard details, including standard document, review frequency

Ecolabel development | How were the standards for this ecolabel developed?

Standard development and management process
Standard-setting norms followed for development of the ecolabel's standard
Type of standard-setting process, external stakeholders, and funding sources

Conformity Assessment | How is compliance with this ecolabel's standard ensured?

Requirements to achieve certification (i.e. chain of custody, site visits, metrics)
Audit / surveillance requirements
Duration of certification, time to achieve certification

Managing organization | Who manages this ecolabel?