when plastic makes sense reducing packaging overall it makes sense to start with this initial use overall while continuing to protect the product and minimize the overall we have been able to eliminate plastic for paperboard in our sheet cake trays removing plastic hangers in some clothes or replacing plastic bags with compostable annual plastic packaging by 6 million pounds in 2019 and are continuing to ing for more ways to cut back on paper and cardboard increasing recycling and composting while we understand that not all plastic is currently recyclable due to market demand from manufacturers our goal is for all plastic packaging to be recycle-ready and labeled correctly so when better recovery and recycling will be ready the first step is to eliminate materials to use materials that are compostable educating employees and members in striving to truly make an impact perhaps nothing is more important than how we can engage costco employees series of creative meetings within our company and with our suppliers to outline labeling so our members will know what can be recycled and composted using more widely recyclable materials plastic and cardboard will be a part of packaging for the foreseeable future while new options are being developed our approach today is to increase the recycled content and certified fiber in this have been able to make progress toward the recycled content in our kirkland signature" 16-ounce water bottles to 50% in the u.s recycled fibers in our paper-based shipping boxes are made from 100% recycled fibers and are widely recyclable the goal is for all fiber to come from certified forest management programs with a preference for the forest steward- ship council kirkland signature egg cartons are an example of when recycle-ready plastic creates a sustainable reduce food waste also a priority for us these plastic cartons prevent breakage saving over 9 million eggs a year from landfills and reducing greenhouse gas use 100% recycled which makes them 40% lighter than pulp cartons these lighter-weight and sturdier cartons enable our shippers to pack 50% more cartons on a truck reducing truck trips from the farms to our locations and there- fore reducing carbon emissions.-sf we believe this is the start of a new journey in understanding and developing making continuous improvement as packaging solutions also continue to "sustainability"; then select "merchan- testing chemicals sustainable packaging also includes testing labels and materials for chemicals of concern to ensure the materials are safe for human and environmental more about the testing we do by visiting the costco sustainability commitment online at costco.com then select "merchan- dising" and "chemical
