Shure announced it has achieved its goal of using 90% recyclable and/or renewable packaging for new products by the end of 2025 — one year ahead of its timeline.
Per the company, it has reached this goal early through a variety of aggressive initiatives. With more than 1,500 different packaging pieces for a variety of different products, converting to sustainable packaging is a significant undertaking. It is especially difficult for high-performance electronic equipment which is shipped to various locations globally to reach customers all over the world, says Shure.
Steps for Sustainable Packaging
Efforts to convert to more sustainable packaging by Shure include:
- Replacing thermoform trays with more sustainable, recyclable alternatives such as molded pulp.
- Reducing overall plastic materials in packaging.
- Reducing the amount of literature that accompanies the products.
- Right-sizing packaging for greater efficiency and reduced carbon footprint from shipping and storage
- Membership in the Sustainable Packaging Coalition
Shure states that its manufacturing plants feature robust recycling programs for cardboard boxes and wooden pallets. As a result, it keeps “tons” of cardboard waste and nearly 5,000 wooden pallets out of landfills. The company also works with suppliers who take action on sustainability, including suppliers who use solar power and recycled water in their operations.
By 2027, Shure says its rechargeable batteries are projected to prevent over 100 million AA batteries from ending up in landfills. This figure is based on global data from users in diverse fields such as music production, theater, touring, education, business, government and houses of worship.
Continued Commitment to Sustainability
Nearly a decade ago, Shure began offering intelligent lithium-ion batteries for wireless microphones, turning its sound production into a more eco-friendly process. This rechargeable technology is now present in concert halls, arenas, theaters, meeting rooms, schools, houses of worship and many other venues. Previously, disposable batteries powered microphones and transmitter packs, leading audio engineers to frequently replace them — even when they still had charge — to ensure seamless performances, says Shure. For instance, one Broadway show alone avoided sending over 21,000 AA batteries to landfills by using Shure’s rechargeable system throughout its run, the company states.
Shure says it has also engineered its products to minimize overall power consumption, incorporating energy-saving “down” modes and allowing remote power monitoring through Wireless Workbench Software. According to the company, it published its first Corporate Sustainability Story, which outlines environmentally responsible initiatives in the areas of people and facilities, products, packaging and logistics, and community.
