If you’re buying packaging from suppliers with sustainability or recycling certifications, does anyone actually track whether those stay current? Like is it someone’s job where you work, or does it only come up when a retailer or auditor asks for proof?
I had a supplier whose certifications didn’t match what the public registry said.
So if you’re buying packaging from suppliers with FSC, BPI, How2Recycle, etc, does anyone track that? Like is it someone’s job where you work, or does it only come up when a retailer or auditor asks for proof?
I had a company whose certifications didn’t match what the public registry said.
So if you’re buying packaging from suppliers with FSC, BPI, How2Recycle, etc, does anyone track that? Like is it someone’s job where you work, or does it only come up when a retailer or auditor asks for proof?
I've had suppliers whose certifications didn't match what the public registry said. Certificates expire, and they can also get suspended or pulled well before the expiry date, and I only found out because I went and checked directly. I don't think most companies would ever catch that.
So if you're buying packaging from suppliers with like FSC or BPI or some other cert, does anyone track that after the initial vetting? Is it someone's job where you work, or does it only come up when a retailer or auditor asks for proof?
I've had suppliers whose certifications didn't match what the public registry said. Certificates expire, and they can also get suspended or pulled well before the expiry date, and I only found out because I went and checked directly. I don't think most companies would ever catch that.
So if you're buying packaging from suppliers with like FSC or BPI or some other cert, does anyone track that after the initial vetting? Is it someone's job where you work, or does it only come up when a retailer or auditor asks for proof?
I've had suppliers whose certifications didn't match what the public registry said. Certificates expire, and they can also get suspended or pulled well before the expiry date, and I only found out because I went and checked directly. I don't think most companies would ever catch that.
So if you're buying packaging from suppliers with like FSC or BPI or some other cert, does anyone track that after the initial vetting? Is it someone's job where you work, or does it only come up when a retailer or auditor asks for proof?
I’m building something in the sustainable packaging space and keep running into the same problem: brands claim FSC, BPI, How2Recycle, etc., but there’s no easy way to confirm the claim is real before trusting it.
Trying to get a better read on how people in procurement, packaging, or sustainability roles actually handle this today. A few questions:
**1.** When a supplier claims a certification, do you ever check it against the actual public registry, or take it at face value?
**2.** Have you ever found a claimed cert that turned out to be expired, invalid, or fake?
**3.** What would make verification easier for you, a database, a badge, something else?
Not selling anything here, genuinely trying to understand the problem before building more. Happy to share what I find if people are interested.
If a verified marketplace existed where buyers actively searching for certified sustainable packaging could find suppliers directly — would that be something you would utilize?
Founder doing market research on how mid-market companies source certified sustainable packaging. 5 multiple choice questions + 2 optional open-ended. Takes 2 minutes.
Looking for input from anyone in packaging engineering, procurement, supply chain, sustainability, or compliance roles at US companies.
Survey link: https://forms.gle/x6XDB24T9CrxHoiw6
Happy to share aggregated findings if there’s interest. Thanks to anyone willing to take 2 minutes.
I'm researching how procurement teams currently source sustainable packaging — specifically how you find and vet new suppliers. Is it mostly referrals, existing vendor relationships, or do you actively search for new options?
Curious if anyone has struggled to find verified sustainable options or if it's generally a solved problem for your company. Any insight appreciated.
I'm researching how procurement teams currently source sustainable packaging — specifically how you find and vet new suppliers. Is it mostly referrals, existing vendor relationships, or do you actively search for new options?
Curious if anyone has struggled to find verified sustainable options or if it's generally a solved problem for your company. Any insight appreciated.