Home Depot packaging requirements come from its Responsible Product Standards. Suppliers must test packages to ISTA standards, minimize package size and material, prioritize widely recyclable materials, and mark resin codes on plastic packaging. Private-brand packaging has been barred from using EPS foam and PVC film since January 2024. All new private-brand fiber packaging must be compostable, recyclable, or contain recycled content by the start of fiscal 2027.
In This Guide
- At a glance
- Why Home Depot has packaging rules for suppliers
- What are Home Depot's packaging requirements for suppliers?
- Does Home Depot require ISTA testing?
- Which materials does Home Depot prefer, and which does it restrict?
- How much recycled content does Home Depot want?
- What labeling does Home Depot require on packaging?
- What is the 2027 fiber packaging goal?
- What is the 200 million pound plastic goal?
- Do the rules apply to national brands?
- How rules differ by product type and channel
- How to get products into Home Depot and stay compliant
- How the requirements have changed over time
- Confidence in each requirement
At a Glance
| Item | Detail | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Branded packaging program | None. Home Depot has no branded, scored packaging program; its packaging rules sit in the Responsible Product Standards | All suppliers |
| Named product program | Eco Actions (rebranded from Eco Options in April 2021); voluntary, certification-based | Suppliers whose products qualify |
| Transit testing | "Suppliers will test packages to ISTA standards"; Series 2 or 3 for retail, ISTA 3 or Amazon 6 for online recommended | All suppliers |
| Restricted materials | EPS and PVC, "Private Brands, Effective JAN 2024" | Private-brand packaging |
| Preferred materials | Paper (corrugated, honeycomb, molded pulp); for resin, rPET or PET (#1), then HDPE (#2) and PP (#5) | All suppliers |
| Recycled content (preferred) | More than 30% post-consumer for paperboard or corrugated; more than 15% for resin | All suppliers ("should") |
| Labeling | Resin Identification Code required on plastic packaging; How2Recycle logo encouraged | All suppliers |
| Fiber packaging goal | All new private-brand fiber packaging compostable, recyclable, or recycled content by the start of fiscal 2027. In progress as of Home Depot's FY2025 report | New private-brand SKUs, US and Canada stores and online |
| Plastic goal | Reduce or convert 200 million lbs of virgin plastic in products and packaging (2020 baseline year, 2028 deadline). Achieved in fiscal 2025 | Suppliers, in partnership with Home Depot |
| Chargeback schedule | Not published. Packaging compliance terms sit behind the Supplier Hub login | All suppliers |
| National brands | Must meet the general requirements and are "expected to meet or exceed" Home Depot's packaging work; the EPS/PVC restriction and 2027 fiber goal cover private brands only | National-brand suppliers |
Why Does Home Depot Have Packaging Requirements for Suppliers?
Home Depot sets packaging requirements for two reasons: its products are heavy, bulky, and fragile, so packaging has to prevent damage, and it is under pressure from state EPR laws and shareholders to cut hard-to-recycle plastics. Its packaging rules try to do both at once.
The Home Depot is the largest home improvement retailer in the US. Its FY2025 Living Our Values Report lists 2,035 US stores, 182 in Canada, and 142 in Mexico. Much of what it sells is heavy, bulky, or fragile: toilets, vanities, ceiling fans, light bulbs, appliances.
That product mix drives two goals that sometimes pull against each other. Packaging has to survive store replenishment, parcel networks, and customer pickup without damage. Home Depot also wants less material and fewer hard-to-recycle plastics in that packaging. Its approach has been to swap foam and PVC for fiber-based protection (corrugated corners, molded pulp, paper) and to rightsize packages, which also improves trailer and shelf density. Home Depot's 2020 announcement noted that better trailer packing avoided about 10,500 truck trips in 2019.
Outside pressure plays a role too. Packaging EPR laws in seven states (Maine, Oregon, Colorado, California, Minnesota, Maryland, and Washington) now charge fees based on the packaging companies put into the market. Home Depot's FY2025 report says its packaging team works with organizations in EPR states on compliance, "including collecting and reporting data on packaging materials." At Home Depot's May 21, 2026 annual meeting, a shareholder proposal asking for a report on its plastic packaging policies received about 17.4% of votes cast for or against, according to Home Depot's Form 8-K.
What Are Home Depot's Packaging Requirements for Suppliers?
Home Depot requires all suppliers to test packaging to ISTA standards, minimize package size and material, prioritize widely recyclable materials, and mark resin codes on plastic packaging. Private-brand suppliers also cannot use EPS foam or PVC. These rules come from Home Depot's Responsible Product Standards (version 5.0, dated October 2021 and still the version Home Depot links as current in October 2026), which use "will" for requirements and "should" for preferences.
Required ("will")
1Test packages to ISTA standards to assure performance
2Minimize packaging size and materials by removing excess material
3Prioritize materials that are widely and commonly recyclable
4Indicate the Resin Identification Code (plastic type number) on plastic packaging
5For private brands: no EPS or PVC packaging, effective January 2024
Preferred ("should")
- Avoid hard-to-recycle materials, including PVC (#3) and polyurethane, polyethylene, or polystyrene foam
- Limit the mixing of different materials
- Use FSC-certified paperboard or corrugated board whenever possible
- Use a meaningful share of post-consumer recycled content (more than 30% for paperboard or corrugated, more than 15% for resin) where packaging performance is not compromised
- Use bio-based plastics and materials where performance is not compromised
- Use the How2Recycle logo on packaging
Two dated corporate goals sit on top of the standards: the 2027 fiber packaging goal for private brands and the 200 million pound plastic goal shared with suppliers. Both are covered below.
Does Home Depot Require ISTA Testing?
Yes. Home Depot's Responsible Product Standards state: "Suppliers will test packages to ISTA standards to assure performance." The standards also say: "Home Depot recommends ISTA series 2 or 3 for retail products and ISTA 3 or Amazon 6 for online products."
Home Depot's recommended ISTA series by sales channel:
| Channel | Home Depot's recommended ISTA series | What the series covers |
|---|---|---|
| Store (retail) products | Series 2 or Series 3 | Series 2: partial simulation (atmospheric conditioning, compression, vibration, shock). Series 3: general simulation of distribution hazards |
| Online products | Series 3 or ISTA 6-Amazon | Parcel delivery hazards (drops, vibration, compression) in a single-parcel network |
Home Depot's standards name an ISTA series, not a specific procedure, so the exact test (for example, 2A versus 3A) depends on your product's weight, size, and how it ships. Some independent testing labs state that Home Depot requires ISTA 2A for its direct fulfillment program. That specific procedure could not be confirmed in a public Home Depot document as of October 2026. Confirm the procedure with your merchant or the Supplier Hub before you book lab time.
Which Packaging Materials Does Home Depot Prefer, and Which Does It Restrict?
Home Depot prefers paper-based packaging (corrugated, honeycomb, and molded pulp) and, for plastic, PET or rPET. It restricts EPS foam and PVC in private-brand packaging and discourages PVC and plastic foams for all suppliers.
Home Depot reported clearing EPS and PVC from new private-brand packaging in 2023. Its September 17, 2024 press release says the company eliminated about 6.0 million cubic feet of EPS foam and more than 39 million square feet of PVC film in 2023 alone. Packaging Dive reported that the 2023 phase-out applied to "priority vendors" and excluded SKUs below a minimum annual sales threshold, and that EPS and PVC remain in some national-brand packaging.
Typical replacements Home Depot has cited include corrugated corners in place of foam blocks (Packaging Dive, 2024) and molded pulp and paper in place of remaining EPS (Eco Actions, 2022). Its FY2025 report highlights a Glacier Bay toilet redesign that kept the packaging 100% fiber-based while reducing damage.
How Much Recycled Content Does Home Depot Want in Packaging?
Home Depot asks for more than 30% post-consumer recycled content in paperboard and corrugated packaging and more than 15% in plastic resin. These are preferences, not requirements.
Home Depot's Responsible Product Standards say suppliers "should utilize a meaningful percentage of post-consumer recycled content" where performance isn't compromised, and give two thresholds:
| Material | Post-consumer recycled content target |
|---|---|
| Paperboard or corrugated board | More than 30% |
| Resin (plastic) | More than 15% |
Because these targets use "should," they are not pass/fail requirements. For private-brand fiber packaging, though, recycled content is one of the three routes to meeting the 2027 goal (along with being recyclable or compostable). Note that the recycled-content route has no minimum percentage published for the 2027 goal. Ask your Home Depot packaging contact whether the 30% figure applies.
What Labeling Does Home Depot Require on Packaging?
Home Depot requires the Resin Identification Code (plastic type number) on all plastic packaging and encourages, but does not require, the How2Recycle label. Shipping cartons must also show the Home Depot PO number, product contents, and packing list number.
From Home Depot's Responsible Product Standards:
Home Depot's US purchase order terms add shipment-level rules: each package must reference the products inside, the Home Depot PO number, and the vendor's packing list number. Products must be packed well enough to arrive undamaged, and shipments that arrive "with broken, missing, or unreadable seals may be rejected," with the vendor liable as if the shipment were a total loss.
Any recyclable or compostable claim on your packaging also has to hold up under the FTC Green Guides and state labeling laws. Neither Home Depot's standards nor this guide replace a legal review of your claims.
What Is Home Depot's 2027 Fiber Packaging Goal?
Home Depot's 2027 fiber packaging goal, announced September 17, 2024, requires all new private-brand fiber packaging to be "compostable, recyclable or made with recycled content across our US and Canada stores by the start of fiscal 2027." Home Depot defines fiber packaging as paper, paperboard, blister cards, corrugate, molded pulp, and other paper materials. The press release adds that new packaging must perform as well as or better than what it replaces.
Scope
New private-brand SKUs, sold in US and Canadian stores and online. Existing items are assessed and updated over time.
Deadline
The start of Home Depot's fiscal 2027. Home Depot's fiscal year usually begins around the start of February, so plan for early 2027. Home Depot's own sources word this differently ("by 2027," "by the start of 2027," "by the start of fiscal 2027"), so confirm the exact cutoff date with your merchant.
Status
"In progress" in the FY2025 Living Our Values Report.
Home Depot's press release describes the supplier process in four steps: research US and Canadian recycling infrastructure, communicate the goal and timeline to suppliers, partner with suppliers on alternative fiber materials, and onboard compliant new products while updating existing ones.
Where to start
For most fiber packaging, the practical bar is low if you plan for it. Corrugated boxes with recycled content qualify. The risk sits in components that are hard to recycle: plastic-laminated paperboard, wet-strength or coated papers, and blister cards bonded to plastic. Those are the parts to audit first.
What Is Home Depot's 200 Million Pound Plastic Goal?
Home Depot's plastic goal, set with a 2020 baseline year, was to "reduce or convert to more sustainable materials 200 million pounds of virgin plastic used in products and packaging" by the end of 2028. Home Depot says it reached the goal in fiscal 2025, "ahead of our 2028 target," according to its FY2025 Living Our Values Report (published August 2026).
Home Depot's plastic goal relied on suppliers. Home Depot's Eco Actions site cites examples such as 3M's pledge to cut 125 million pounds of virgin, fossil-based plastic by the end of 2025, and Behr's Simple Pour paint can made from 100% post-consumer plastic. As of October 2026, Home Depot had not announced a successor plastic target. Expect one, and expect it to lean on supplier data.
Do Home Depot's Packaging Rules Apply to National Brands?
Partly. Home Depot's Responsible Product Standards state that national suppliers are "expected to meet or exceed our work in packaging by complying with our environmentally mindful packaging standards." The general "will" requirements (ISTA testing, minimizing material, recyclable materials, resin codes) are addressed to all suppliers.
The two hard material rules are private-brand only:
EPS and PVC restriction
Labeled "Private Brands."
2027 fiber goal
Covers "new private-brand fiber packaging."
Packaging Dive confirmed in 2024 that EPS and PVC remain in some national-brand packaging. If you sell a national brand, the restriction doesn't bind you today. Moving off EPS and PVC now still puts you ahead of any extension of the rule to national brands, and it simplifies the packaging data you report in EPR states.
How Do the Rules Differ by Product Type and Sales Channel?
Home Depot's packaging rules differ mainly by brand type and sales channel. Private-brand products carry the EPS/PVC ban and the 2027 fiber goal, national brands carry only the general requirements, and the recommended ISTA test series changes between store and online products.
| Product type or channel | Packaging rules that apply | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Private-brand products (new SKUs) | All "will" requirements; no EPS or PVC (since Jan. 2024); fiber packaging compostable, recyclable, or recycled content by start of FY2027 | Responsible Product Standards v5.0; Sept. 2024 press release |
| Private-brand products (existing SKUs) | EPS/PVC restriction; assessed and updated toward fiber goal over time | Sept. 2024 press release |
| National-brand products | All "will" requirements; "expected to meet or exceed" Home Depot's packaging work; EPS/PVC not formally restricted | Responsible Product Standards v5.0; Packaging Dive (2024) |
| Products sold online (homedepot.com) | ISTA 3 or ISTA 6-Amazon recommended; covered by fiber goal if private brand | Responsible Product Standards v5.0 |
| Store (retail) products | ISTA Series 2 or 3 recommended | Responsible Product Standards v5.0 |
| Wood and wood products | FSC certification required for Eco Actions forestry category; certification required from at-risk regions; FSC paperboard preferred for packaging | Responsible Product Standards v5.0; FY2025 report |
| Private-brand patio and home décor | Goal to exclude added PFAS by 2025 (product, not packaging) | Eco Actions, Sept. 2023 |
| Products seeking Eco Actions status | Third-party certification (or documentation) of the product's environmental attribute; recycled content in packaging does not count toward Circularity | Responsible Product Standards v5.0 |
How Do You Get Products Into Home Depot and Stay Compliant?
To sell through Home Depot, submit your product through its New Product Submission site, then follow the packaging, labeling, and routing requirements in the Supplier Hub once you're onboarded. Staying compliant means ISTA-testing your packaging, entering item data correctly, and keeping packaging material data ready for state EPR reporting.
1Submit your product
Prospective merchandise suppliers not already under contract submit through Home Depot's New Product Submission site. According to Home Depot's Supplier Hub (updated August 2026), the merchant team responds within 60 days.
2Get the current standards from the Supplier Hub
Once onboarded, your packaging, labeling, routing, and EDI requirements live in the Supplier Hub (supplierhub.homedepot.com). The public copy of the Responsible Product Standards is version 5.0, dated October 2021, and Home Depot's sustainability commitment page still links it as current as of October 2026. Suppliers may receive a newer version through the Supplier Hub, so check once you have access.
3Test your packaging
Book ISTA testing at an ISTA-certified lab for the series that matches your channel (see the table above). Keep reports on file. Home Depot's product inspection templates reviewed for this guide include master carton checks such as carton condition, shipping marks, flute direction, and strapping method.
4Enter item data correctly
If a product qualifies for Eco Actions, Home Depot's Responsible Product Standards direct suppliers to select Eco Actions in Home Depot's Item Data Management (IDM) system and provide the certification.
5Prepare for packaging data requests
Home Depot reports packaging material data under state EPR laws. Expect requests for weights by material for every packaging component you ship into EPR states.
Consequences of non-compliance
Home Depot does not publish a packaging chargeback schedule. Its public US PO terms allow it to reject shipments with broken, missing, or unreadable seals (with the vendor liable as for a total loss) and to offset amounts the vendor owes against invoices. For wood products, the FY2025 report states that if a supplier can't show compliance in a timely manner, "we discontinue ordering affected products." Specific dollar amounts for packaging or labeling violations could not be confirmed as of October 2026.
How Have Home Depot's Packaging Requirements Changed Over Time?
Home Depot's packaging requirements have moved from broad preferences (2019), to a hard EPS and PVC ban for private brands (2023 to 2024), to a material-specific fiber goal (2027). One requirement moved the other way: the 2019 standard's 40% package-to-product volume ratio does not appear in the 2021 version, replaced by a general instruction to remove excess material.
2017
Home Depot begins tracking packaging redesigns (the baseline year for its redesign counts); Chemical Strategy adopted
Source: Packaging Dive (2024); Toxic-Free Future (2024)
April 2019
Responsible Product Standards v1.5: ISTA testing required; package-to-product volume utilization above 40% for all products; paper preferred; 30% PCR fiber and 15% PCR resin targets
Source: Home Depot, v1.5 (April 2019)
July 2020
Pledge to eliminate EPS foam and PVC film from private-brand packaging by 2023; 1.44 million lbs of plastic eliminated in 2019
Source: Home Depot press release, July 23, 2020
April 2021
Eco Options rebranded to Eco Actions
Source: Home Depot press release, April 20, 2021
Oct. 2021
Responsible Product Standards v5.0: ISTA series recommendations by channel, resin code requirement, How2Recycle encouraged, EPS/PVC restricted for private brands effective Jan. 2024. The 40% volume-utilization figure no longer appears
Source: Home Depot, v5.0 (Oct. 2021)
2021
Crown Bolt private-brand overhaul: 16 million packaging units across nearly 300 SKUs
Source: Eco Actions (Aug. 2022)
Sept. 2023
200 million lb plastic goal (2028) and 2025 PFAS goal for private-brand patio and home décor published
Source: Eco Actions (Sept. 2023)
2023
EPS/PVC goal met: about 6.0 million cu ft EPS and 39 million sq ft PVC film eliminated that year
Source: Home Depot press release, Sept. 17, 2024
Sept. 2024
2027 fiber packaging goal announced
Source: Home Depot press release, Sept. 17, 2024
Dec. 2025 to May 2026
Shareholder proposal on plastic packaging filed; receives about 17.4% support at May 21, 2026 annual meeting
Source: As You Sow; Home Depot Form 8-K
FY2025 (ended Feb. 1, 2026)
200 million lb plastic goal achieved; about 31.2 million units rightsized across 130+ private-brand SKUs; about 1,500 packaging SKUs redesigned since 2017; fiber goal in progress
Source: FY2025 Living Our Values Report (Aug. 2026)
How Confident Should You Be in Each Requirement?
The EPS/PVC restriction and the 200 million pound plastic result are confirmed in current Home Depot sources. Most other packaging rules come from a standard dated 2021 that Home Depot still publishes as current, and chargeback amounts and the exact ISTA procedure are not public, so confirm those with Home Depot directly.
| Requirement | Confidence | Source type | Check before acting? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISTA testing required; series recommendations | Confirmed in Home Depot's current published standard (dated Oct. 2021) | Primary | Yes, confirm current version in Supplier Hub |
| Specific ISTA procedure (e.g., 2A) for direct fulfillment | Not confirmed in a Home Depot document | Testing-lab websites only | Yes |
| EPS/PVC restriction for private brands | Confirmed | Primary (standards, press release, FY2025 report) | No |
| 30% fiber / 15% resin PCR targets | Confirmed as preferences | Primary, 2021 | Yes, for current figures |
| Resin code requirement; How2Recycle encouraged | Confirmed | Primary, 2021 | Yes, for current version |
| 2027 fiber goal | Confirmed; exact cutoff date worded inconsistently | Primary (2024, 2026) | Yes, confirm date |
| 200M lb plastic goal achieved | Confirmed | Primary (FY2025 report) | No |
| Status of 2025 PFAS patio and décor goal | Not found in FY2025 report text reviewed | N/A | Yes |
| Chargeback amounts | Not published | N/A | Yes |
How EcoPackables Helps Suppliers Meet Home Depot Requirements
Home Depot's standards name paper (corrugated, honeycomb, molded pulp) as the preferred packaging material, prefer FSC-certified board, and set a 2027 deadline for private-brand fiber packaging to be recyclable, compostable, or recycled-content. EcoPackables makes custom boxes and tubes and custom paper void fill and cushioning, with FSC and GRS certifications available depending on the material, so a supplier can document the fiber source and recycled content a Home Depot packaging review asks for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Home Depot have a sustainable packaging program for suppliers?
Home Depot doesn't run a branded, scored packaging program. Its packaging rules are in the Responsible Product Standards, which require ISTA testing, minimal material, recyclable materials, and resin codes on plastic. Its Eco Actions label covers products, not packaging.
Does Home Depot require ISTA testing?
Yes. Home Depot's Responsible Product Standards state that suppliers "will test packages to ISTA standards." Home Depot recommends ISTA Series 2 or 3 for store products and ISTA 3 or ISTA 6-Amazon for online products. Confirm the exact procedure for your item with your merchant.
Can I use Styrofoam (EPS) or PVC in packaging for Home Depot?
Not for private-brand products: EPS and PVC have been restricted in private-brand packaging since January 2024. National brands are not formally barred, but Home Depot discourages PVC and plastic foams for all suppliers and expects national brands to meet or exceed its packaging work.
What is Home Depot's 2027 packaging goal?
By the start of fiscal 2027, all new private-brand fiber packaging (paper, paperboard, blister cards, corrugate, molded pulp) sold in US and Canadian stores and online must be compostable, recyclable, or made with recycled content. Home Depot's FY2025 report lists the goal as in progress.
How much recycled content does Home Depot require in packaging?
Home Depot's standards ask for more than 30% post-consumer recycled content in paperboard or corrugated board and more than 15% in plastic resin, where performance isn't compromised. These are stated as preferences ("should"), not hard requirements.
Does Home Depot require the How2Recycle label?
No. Home Depot's Responsible Product Standards encourage the How2Recycle logo but don't require it. What is required is the Resin Identification Code on all plastic packaging.
What happens if my packaging doesn't meet Home Depot's requirements?
Home Depot doesn't publish a packaging chargeback schedule. Its US purchase order terms let it reject shipments with broken or unreadable seals and offset amounts owed against your invoices. Check the Supplier Hub for current compliance terms.
How do I become a Home Depot supplier?
Submit your product through Home Depot's New Product Submission site; the merchant team says it will respond within 60 days. Once onboarded, packaging, labeling, and routing requirements are available in the Supplier Hub.
Need more help navigating retailer packaging requirements?
Related Guides
Sources
View all 22 sources
- Responsible Product Standards, Version 5.0, The Home Depot, dated October 2021 (file posted April 2026), accessed October 2026 (still linked as Home Depot's current standard, checked October 13, 2026)
- Our Commitment, Eco Actions from The Home Depot, undated, accessed October 13, 2026 (lists current standards and packaging goals)
- Responsible Sourcing / Sustainability Guidelines, Version 1.5, The Home Depot, April 2019 (historical source)
- Living Our Values Report FY25, The Home Depot, statements as of August 28, 2026, accessed October 2026
- The Home Depot Achieves Milestone in Eliminating Harmful Packaging Materials, The Home Depot, September 17, 2024 (more than 18 months old; freshness check needed)
- Home Depot announces renewable energy goal and pledges to eliminate EPS foam and PVC film, The Home Depot, July 23, 2020 (historical source)
- The Home Depot launches Eco Actions website, The Home Depot, April 20, 2021 (historical source)
- Product goals: packaging, Eco Actions from The Home Depot, September 28, 2023, modified April 10, 2026 (original more than 18 months old)
- The Home Depot's Gains in Reducing Plastic, Eco Actions from The Home Depot, February 2025 (more than 18 months old; freshness check needed)
- Our commitment to sustainable packaging, Eco Actions from The Home Depot, August 2022 (historical source)
- Reducing Environmental Impact, The Home Depot, undated, accessed October 2026
- The Home Depot Purchase Order Terms and Conditions (US), The Home Depot, undated, accessed October 2026
- Becoming a Supplier, The Home Depot Supplier Hub, updated August 6, 2026
- Form 8-K, results of 2026 annual meeting, The Home Depot via SEC, May 2026
- Form DEF 14A, 2026 proxy statement, The Home Depot via SEC, April 2026
- The Home Depot Inc: Sustainable Packaging Policies, As You Sow, December 4, 2025
- Home Depot phases out EPS, PVC in fiber packaging overhaul, Packaging Dive, September 20, 2024 (more than 18 months old)
- Home Depot's big plastic packaging purge, Trellis (formerly GreenBiz), October 8, 2024 (more than 18 months old)
- The Latest Pandora's Box: What You Need to Know Now About State EPR Laws, Holland & Knight, January 22, 2026
- Retailer Report Card 2024: The Home Depot, Toxic-Free Future, June 2024 (more than 18 months old)
- Home Depot Product Inspection Requirement (sample), The Home Depot QA, template v4 (2008), document dated 2012 to 2013 (historical source)
- EcoPackables products and certifications, EcoPackables, accessed October 2026