WOOD, PULP & Paper
Our goal is for our suppliers to create wood, paper and fiber-based products with as little impact to the ecosystem as possible while still delivering the quality and price that our members demand.
Wood Products
After a 10-year moratorium on teak, in 2015 we began selling a limited amount of outdoor teak furniture that was 100% FSC-certified and we continue to require that teak sold at Costco is FSC 100% certified.
Costco has expanded FSC certification to other species of solid wood products, including FSC-certified cedar wood playsets, gazebos, bee houses, outdoor furniture and pavilions.
To learn more about our product testing of furniture products, please visit our Chemical Management page.
Fiber-based Packaging
Our packaging goals are to reduce the amount, while still protecting the product’s integrity. Fiber for paper-based packaging should come from known sources, should be procured legally and should not contribute to deforestation. Because there is a limited supply of certified fiber, we highly encourage the use of recycled content whenever possible.
In FY20, all of our U.S. Ecommerce shipping boxes fulfilled by Costco used 100% recycled content. In FY21, due to increased demand for ecommerce products and supply constraints, we had to supplement some boxes that did not utilize 100% recycled content.
More information can be found on the Packaging page.
KIRKLAND SIGNATURE PAPER-BASED PRODUCTS
Our goal is to have all Kirkland Signature™ paper products created to optimize recycled content and tree-free fibers where feasible. Virgin-wood fibers should come from certified, well-managed forests that don’t contribute to deforestation or degradation.
Examples include:
- Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue, Paper Towels, Napkins, Facial Tissue, Parchment Paper, Gift Wrap and Daily Facial Towelettes all carry forest certifications with the majority of fiber coming from FSC.
- 99.4% of register tape used in our U.S. and Canadian warehouses is FSC-certified and is also phenol-free (no BPA or BPS). We are working to expand that to warehouses and gas stations worldwide. Japanese gas station receipts now use fiber from FSC certified sources, according to supply reports. More information can be found on our Chemical Management page.
- In the U.S., according to supplier reports, the paper used for the Costco Connection magazine, Costco.com mailer, Business Savings Event mailer, Costco Services magazine, Holiday Savings Guide, Costco Travel Guide Savings Guides, and Costco Auto Program Showcase fliers are certified to FSC or SFI standards. U.S. Multivendor mailers use fiber from FSC certified sources, although there is no certification claim on it.
- In Canada, the Costco Connection magazine, Wellness flier, and Costco.ca insert are certified to the FSC standard, according to supplier reports.
More information can be found on the Forest Conservation Commitment section of the Environmental Impacts & Land Stewardship page.
WIPES
Costco is committed to providing members with wipes that are sourced in an environmentally responsible manner. For example, Kirkland Signature™ Baby Wipes are made with biodegradable, renewable fibers derived from 100% plant-based materials. In addition, Costco supplier Nice-Pak® incorporates sustainable practices into the production process that reduces water, energy, CO2 and waste to a landfill.
The fibers for Kirkland Signature Daily Facial Towelettes are responsibly sourced and now the product is FSC certified. Kirkland Signature Flushable Wipes are also transitioning to certification and will be SFI and PEFC certified depending upon the region where the product is sold.