Giving earth some breathing room.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, 36% of the plastic produced each year is used for packaging, and 85% of plastic packaging ends up in landfills or as unregulated waste. That’s why 3M’s Consumer Business Group is working to move to recyclable or reusable consumer packaging by 2030.

An example of 3M’s commitment to recyclable packaging is our 3M Consumer Reusable Respirator line where we replaced conventional plastic clamshell packaging with recyclable paperboard cartons, eliminating 110 tons of plastic from our packaging. We also changed the 3M Consumer Reusable Respirator shipper from a tray/cover design to a perforated display case which lowered the amount of corrugated board needed to package a full case to roughly half of what it has been in the past.

These packaging optimizations allowed us to continue to deliver innovative respirators that maximize comfort with a lightweight, flexible face-seal and feature the 3M™ COOL FLOW™ VALVE that directs exhaled breath downwards for easier breathing. Additionally, 3M Consumer Reusable Respirators improve the respirator experience with a Quick Latch mechanism that makes it easy to drop down from the face without removing the head straps.

Taking single-use plastic out of our product packaging improves the recyclability of the packaging while also having potential to improve the shopper experience. This effort aligns with our sustainability goals, showcasing our determination to lead by example. Our journey towards a greener future is not just ambitious — it's happening now, and we're proud to be paving the way for a more sustainable world.