Recycling and Sustainability
Empowering our customers to recycle responsibly encourages collective contribution toward our larger sustainability efforts.
Intel Packaging Recycling Guide
Together, we can make real progress toward a more sustainable future. We’ve put significant effort into designing product packaging that’s easy for you to recycle.
Plastic and Foam
The recyclability of plastic and foam depends on what type of resin they contain, which is usually indicated by a resin identification code. Look for the resin ID code on your packaging.
Paper and Corrugated Fiberboard (Cardboard) Boxes
You can recycle most paper and corrugated fiberboard (cardboard) material. Generally, look for a recycling symbol on these products. Remove anything glued to the material, flatten it, and keep it dry in your collection bin.
Bags: Plastic and Paper
You can recycle most paper bags. You cannot recycle most plastic bags. However, there are opportunities to recycle them at local businesses that offer an in-store drop-off. Check to see what may be available in your area.
Desiccants
Desiccants are granular materials placed in small bags. They are included in packaging to keep everything dry. You cannot recycle desiccants; just throw them away without opening the bag.
Recycling Old Products, Electronics, or E-Waste
Proper recycling of electronics is essential for keeping electronics waste (e-waste) from polluting environments and for keeping useful materials out of landfills. To responsibly dispose of electronics, look for organizations in your region that specialize in handling e-waste.
![woman and child using bins to recycle e-waste and electronics](/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/images/2024-03/adult-and-child-using-recycling-bins-498091269.jpg.rendition.intel.web.480.270.jpg)
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Sustainable Computing
At Intel, we’re significantly invested in reducing our manufacturing environmental footprint and improving the energy efficiency of our pc and server microprocessors to help move us all to a more sustainable future.
Intel® Product Compliance Documentation
Search, view, and download content from Intel’s library of regulatory documents, including Intel’s International Declarations of Conformity, Material Declaration Data Sheets, and other geography-specific documentation.
![document and checklist icons](/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/images/2024-03/document-icons-blue.png.rendition.intel.web.480.270.png)
Packaging Sustainability Goals
As of 2025, we met our goals of achieving 100% compliance of responsibly sourced virgin wood fiber in our corrugated fiberboard packaging and achieved our packaging design for recyclability or reusability goal. We continue to look for ways to make our packaging even more sustainable.
![100 percent icon](/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/images/2024-03/100-percent-white-green.png.rendition.intel.web.128.96.png)
Virgin Wood Fiber
Maintain 100 percent compliance of responsibly sourced virgin wood fiber used in our corrugated fiberboard packaging.
![97 percent icon](/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/images/2024-03/97-percent-white-green.png.rendition.intel.web.128.96.png)
Recyclable Materials
Maintain the use of recyclable materials in over 97 percent (by weight) of our new product packaging or ensure they are reusable.
![100 percent icon](/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/images/2024-03/100-percent-white-green.png.rendition.intel.web.128.96.png)
Sustainable Plastic
By 2030, 100 percent of the plastic in our packaging will have biobased, post-consumer recycled, or chemically recycled content.
Enhancing Sustainability with Thoughtful Packaging Design
Designing responsible packaging is a complex and multifaceted process. To make it happen, we’re focusing our efforts in these key areas:
![Packaging icon 1 - renewable material](/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/images/2022-07/packaging-icon-1-renewable-material-rwd.png.rendition.intel.web.128.96.png)
Using Biobased and Renewable Material
We’re increasingly moving toward adopting biobased materials that are made in whole or mostly from biological resources that help reduce carbon emissions.
![Packaging feature icon](/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/images/2022-07/packaging-icon-2-unfavorable-material-rwd.png.rendition.intel.web.128.96.png)
Reducing Unfavorable Material
In addition to following material bans, we comply with Restricted Substance List (RSL) guidelines for unfavorable packaging materials and legislation prohibiting the use of certain substances.
![Promoting recycling icon](/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/images/2022-07/packaging-icon-3-promote-recycling-rwd.png.rendition.intel.web.128.96.png)
Promoting Recycling
Our packaging empowers consumers, retailers, and producers to recycle or repurpose materials. The latest product packaging features the most up-to-date markings for their preferred recycling streams.
![Material efficiency icon](/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/images/2022-07/packaging-icon-4-efficiency-rwd.png.rendition.intel.web.128.96.png)
Designing for Material Efficiency
We strive to design our packaging using minimal materials and additives, encouraging finished-goods manufacturing to use locally sourced raw materials.
![Designing for recovery icon](/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/images/2022-07/packaging-icon-5-recovery-rwd.png.rendition.intel.web.128.96.png)
Designing for Recovery
We design packaging to make it easier for consumers to separate materials for recycling. We prioritize recovery and return methods by making sure coatings, inks, material combinations, and add-ons are compatible with recycling technology.
![Recycled content icon](/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/images/2022-07/packaging-icon-6-prioritzing-rwd.png.rendition.intel.web.128.96.png)
Prioritizing Recycled Content
We prioritize paper and plastic packaging materials that contain post-consumer recycled content. Our fiberboard contains a minimum of 25 percent recycled content, and we prioritize recycled content in our plastic packaging.
![Sourcing responsible materials icon](/content/dam/www/central-libraries/us/en/images/2022-07/packaging-icon-7-sourcing-rwd.png.rendition.intel.web.128.96.png)
Sourcing Responsible Materials
We favor suppliers who share our sustainability values and strive to ensure our packaging materials come from responsibly managed sources.
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Optimizing Volumetric Efficiency
We optimize primary, secondary, and tertiary package designs to minimize empty space and increase transportation efficiency.