New Guidance on Automotive Packaging Materials Collection and Handling Practices

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP) today announced the release of a new guidance document, Automotive Packaging Materials Collection and Handling Practices. Developed through SP's Sustainable Packaging Work Group, the document provides voluntary, practical recommendations to support consistent and efficient recovery of recyclable packaging materials across the automotive value chain.

Building on previously published SP Sustainable Packaging Guidelines and related resources, this new guidance is the latest in a series of deliverables focused on advancing packaging circularity within the automotive industry. It provides material-specific handling and sorting recommendations, space planning considerations, signage design guidance, and implementation strategies to help automotive OEMs and suppliers maximize recyclable material recovery, reduce landfill waste, and decrease contamination in recycling streams.

"This guidance reflects practical, tested approaches our members have identified to improve the quality and value of recovered packaging materials," said Kellen Mahoney, Executive Director, Suppliers Partnership for the Environment. "By sharing this information openly, we hope to make it easier for companies of all sizes to pursue opportunities toward more circular and sustainable packaging systems."

The document was developed through a collaborative process among SP member companies, led by Gina McGee of RecycleMax who served as lead author. "We wanted to create a tool that's grounded in operational reality," said McGee. "The recommendations are based on what we have found to work on the shop floor, providing clear, adaptable steps that can be implemented regardless of facility size or location."

Bridget Grewal, director of packaging CI at Magna International and co-chair of the SP Sustainable Packaging Work Group, emphasized the importance of collaboration. "Packaging is an area where shared solutions can have an immediate impact across the value chain," said Grewal. "By increasing awareness of proven collection and handling practices, we have the opportunity to reduce waste across the supply chain, improve recycling economics, and move one step closer to achieving industry circularity goals."

The Automotive Packaging Materials Collection and Handling Practices guidance is available for download on SP's website at: https://www.supplierspartnership.org/packaging-waste-handling/.

About SP
The Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP) provides a forum for global automotive manufacturers and their large and small suppliers to work together toward a shared vision of an automotive industry with positive environmental impact. Learn more at: www.supplierspartnership.org/

Contact: Kellen Mahoney, [email protected], 202-530-0096

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SOURCE Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP)