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Paper packaging recycling from forests

Recycling Plastic, Foam, and Paper Packaging

How to properly dispose of Sealed Air packaging products

How to Recycle, Repurpose, or Dispose of Sealed Air Packaging Products

Since the invention of BUBBLE WRAP® brand protective cushioning in 1960, Sealed Air has continued to lead the way in sustainable packaging. We’re proud of our commitment to sustainability, underlining the important role businesses have in affecting change and enhancing our own operations along the way. You’re here because you care too. Here's how to properly dispose of your Sealed Air packaging products.

Our air pillow packaging can be recycled at any one of over 18,000 retail store drop-off locations nationwide. Find a recycling drop-off location near you. 

Why are air pillows not curbside recyclable?

BUBBLE WRAP® brand products can be recycled at local store drop-off locations nationwide that accept thin PE plastic for packaging, wraps, or commercial/retail bags. Find a recycling drop-off location near you. You can also return BUBBLE WRAP® brand products to one of our Sealed Air return locations so long as the material is free of tape, labels, or any foreign materials. In countries like Germany, where laws mandate collection and recycling of used packaging, BUBBLE WRAP® brand products fit within the established infrastructure. 

The True Cost of Damage: Understanding the Sustainability Impact of E-Commerce Packaging 

BUBBLE WRAP® brand cushioned mailers with bubble padding are not recyclable and should be put in your garbage bin. Check with your local recycling program for more details. 

The True Cost of Damage: Understanding the Sustainability Impact of E-Commerce Packaging 

Paper bubble mailers with inner padding constructed of a kraft paper material that mimics BUBBLE WRAP® brand cushioning can be recyclable in most curbside recycling programs. Check with your local recycling program for more details.

all-paper bubble mailer

Instapak can be returned to one of our worldwide Instapak return locations. In parts of the world where facilities exist, the foam is recycled into new products like composite lumber. In other parts of the world, the foam is routed to waste-to-energy facilities, where it’s incinerated as a source of renewable energy. In either case, all foam returned to Sealed Air is diverted from landfills. In countries like Germany, where laws mandate collection and recycling of used packaging, Instapak fits within the established infrastructure. 

Read more about Instapak in the Sealed Air sustainability report.  

Our polyethylene foams are classified as #4 low-density PE (LDPE) material and can be recycled only in LDPE recycling systems. Check your local recycling program for specific regulations. PE foams can also be returned to one of these Sealed Air product return locations so long as the material is free of tape, labels or any foreign materials. In countries like Germany, where laws mandate collection and recycling of used packaging, SEALED AIR® brand PE foam fits within the established infrastructure. 

Korrvu® packaging is manufactured primarily from corrugated fiberboard and can be easily recycled — with the plastic film attached — along with corrugated boxes through your local curbside recycling program. The plastic film used in Korrvu® will be separated from the corrugated when processed at the recycling facility. The film itself will be discarded; the corrugated will be recycled. Korrvu® packaging is RESY approved for recycling in Germany and complies with all national and international requirements for disposal and recycling of packaging materials. 

Most paper packaging can be recycled with corrugated containers or as mixed paper. Products that include a polyethylene film backing should have the plastic removed before recycling. Check your local recycling program for specific regulations. SEALED AIR® brand paper products are made of 100% recycled content, which is responsibly sourced and carries the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certification. Additionally, the fiber is 100% renewable and all production scrap is reclaimed. 

StealthWrap cartoning film in the box brown color can be recycled at any one of over 18,000 retail store drop-off locations nationwide. Find a recycling drop-off location near you. 

For businesses with large amounts of StealthWrap film, it can also be returned to AmeriPak, Inc., 477 South Woods Drive, Fountain Inn, SC 29644. 

The True Cost of Damage: Understanding the Sustainability Impact of E-Commerce Packaging

Kraft paper mailers — without bubble — are recyclable in most curbside recycling programs. Check with your local recycling program for more details.

SEALED AIR® brand poly mailers — without bubble — and AUTOBAG® brand FloWrappolybags can be recycled at any one of over 18,000 retail store drop-off locations nationwide. Find a recycling drop-off location near you. 

CRYOVAC® brand rigid polypropylene trays (resin identification code 5) and PET (resin identification code 1) may be recycled through most curbside recycling programs globally. Check with your local recycling program for more details. Please be aware that both the color of rigid trays and the resin type may also affect recycling.

Packaging Recycling Resources


From Our Blog


Where to Recycle BUBBLE WRAP® Brand Packaging in North America


UNITED STATES

CALIFORNIA
Sealed Air Corporation, 19440 Arenth Ave., City of Industry, CA 91748 Tel: +1-909-594-1791

ILLINOIS
Sealed Air Corporation, 7110 Santa Fe Dr., Hodgkins, IL 60525 Tel: +1-708-352-8700

KENTUCKY
Sealed Air Corporation, 7665 National Turnpike, Louisville, KY 40214 Tel: +1-502-380-4333

MASSACHUSETTS
Sealed Air Corporation, 2030 Lower Homestead Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040 Tel: +1-413-534-0231

NEW JERSEY
Sealed Air Corporation, 301 Mayhill St., Saddle Brook, NJ 07663 Tel: +1-201-712-7000

NORTH CAROLINA
Sealed Air Corporation, 2075 NW Valway Road (Hwy 90 West), Lenoir, NC 28645 Tel: +1-828-726-2100

TEXAS
Sealed Air Corporation, 2401 Dillard St., Grand Prairie, TX 75051 Tel: +1-972-647-1030 

CANADA

ONTARIO
Sealed Air (Canada) Inc., 95 Glidden Rd., Brampton, Ontario L6T 2H8 Tel: +1-905-456-0701

Where to Recycle Polyethylene Foam in North America


UNITED STATES

CALIFORNIA
Sealed Air Corporation, 1835 W. Almond Ave., Madera, CA 93637 Tel: +1-559-675-0152

ILLINOIS*
Sealed Air Corporation, 7110 Santa Fe Dr., Hodgkins, IL 60525 Tel: +1-708-352-8700; *Cell-Aire® foam only

KENTUCKY
Sealed Air Corporation, 7665 National Turnpike, Louisville, KY 40214 Tel: +1-502-380-4333

MASSACHUSETTS*
Sealed Air Corporation, 2030 Lower Homestead Avenue, Holyoke, MA 01040 Tel: +1-413-534-0231; *Cell-Aire® foam only

TEXAS
Sealed Air Corporation, 2401 Dillard St., Grand Prairie, TX 75051 Tel: +1-972-647-1030

WASHINGTON*
Sealed Air Corporation, 2501 East Valley Road, Renton, WA 98057 Tel: +1-425-203-1620; *Cell-Aire® foam only

CANADA

ONTARIO*
Sealed Air (Canada) Inc., 95 Glidden Rd., Brampton, Ontario L6T 2HB Tel: +1-905-456-0701; *Cell-Aire® foam only