Packaging
Packaging compliance
Microsoft designs its hardware and software packaging to meet global environmental requirements. Microsoft suppliers are required to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including compliance with the European Union’s Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (1994/62/EC), as amended by 2018/852/EU and CEN packaging standards (EN 13427:2005), France Decree No. 2020-105 on the Fight Against Waste and the Circular Economy, as well as US Toxics in Packaging legislation. Packaging for Microsoft products meet heavy metal and mineral oil restrictions, labelling, and essential requirements regarding packaging optimization, manufacturing, composition, recovery, and reuse.
Microsoft sustainable packaging goals
- Single-use plastic packaging elimination by 2025
- 100% certified sustainability forested fiber by 2025
- 100% recyclable packaging by 2030
- 100% recycled, renewable or responsibly sourced content by 2030
Partnering to improve our packaging sustainability
Microsoft invests in initiatives that encourage our company, partners, and customers to increase their sustainability.
As an original signatory member of the Australian Packaging Covenant, Microsoft agrees to reduce the environmental impact of consumer packaging by seeking improvements in packaging design, recycling rates, and stewardship. The covenant is governed by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) — a co-regulatory, not-for-profit organization that partners with government and industry to reduce negative impacts of packaging on the Australian environment. The program is a unique voluntary commitment that we benchmark our global sustainability program for packaging against. Each year, we report our packaging sustainability improvements and an action plan to reach our goals. Our Annual Report and Action Plan (PDF) shows our performance against the APCO Packaging Sustainability Framework and our public commitment to advancing packaging sustainability.
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) is a membership-based collaborative that believes in the power of industry to make packaging more sustainable. Microsoft actively participates and supports the goals of the SPC. We have been an active member of this organization for over 10 years.
Just the beginning
Microsoft is looking for new ways to integrate sustainability into our packaging to offer the most powerful product protection with the least environmental impact.
Learn more in our Sustainability Report
Questions? Email inquiries to our Environmental Compliance team.
Microsoft and the environment
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Our commitment to environmental sustainability
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