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), as well as US Toxics in Packaging legislation. Packaging for Microsoft products meet heavy metal restrictions, labelling, and essential requirements regarding packaging optimization, manufacturing, composition, recovery, and reuse.

 

Download our packaging environmental requirements

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

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Microsoft has been carbon neutral across the world since 2012 and commits to being carbon negative by 2030. Our goal is to promote sustainable development and low-carbon business practices globally through our sustainable business practices and cloud-enabled technologies.

 

Learn more about our commitment

We believe every device should be made with an emphasis on sustainability and aim to continually improve all of our products accordingly. At our facilities, we eliminate waste through material reuse and recycling and reduce our material source consumption. All waste is treated with environmentally responsible methods.

 

Learn more about our principles

We’re creating and employing tools to help address the world’s water challenges including scarcity, pollution, and ocean health. We’re committed to reducing our consumption and replenishing water in the regions where we operate.

 

Learn more about our approach

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 Devices Sustainability Report (PDF)

 

 

Questions? Email inquiries to our Environmental Compliance team.