What are Walmart's Secondary Packaging Standards?

Sharon Hayford

By Sharon Hayford, Content Writer

Last Updated March 25, 2025

6 min read

In this article, learn about: 

  • What are Walmart's Secondary Packaging Standards?

  • How to access them

  • Key components

  • 2025 updates 

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Walmart's Secondary Packaging standards are the standards by which suppliers stay in compliance with Walmart when packaging products that are shipped through Walmart's distribution system. Secondary packaging is any packaging or outer case under the larger category of Retail-Ready Packaging (RRP). 

Walmart's Retail Ready Packaging

Retail Ready Packaging encompasses Shelf Ready Packaging (SRP) and Pretty Darn Quick (PDQ) displays.

Walmart's Shelf Ready Packaging

SRP is intended to easily go from shipment to store floor in as few steps as possible. Walmart sums up SRP in The 5 Easies:

  • Easy to Identify

  • Easy to Open

  • Easy to Stock

  • Easy to Shop

  • Easy Disposal

Walmart's PDQ Displays

PDQ displays are displays that are intended to go from shipment to store floor in as few steps as possible, potentially even including the pallet in the display. Walmart's rules for PDQ displays are:

  • Deliver the Message

  • Structural Integrity

  • Clear Price Impression

  • Manage Inventory Turnover

  • Maintain Clean Line of Sight

In addition to RRP, Walmart's Secondary Packaging standards include helpful information on store fixtures and graphics standards.

Walmart Fixtures

The section on Walmart fixtures discusses the various shelf anatomies and dimensions and how they accommodate SRP.

For example, goal post signs must be easy to attach to PDQ displays, and PDQ displays must be designed with those signs in mind. Additionally, SRP trays must fit two deep on all shelving units.

By understanding both Walmart's RRP standards and in-store fixtures standards, suppliers can easily stay compliant and avoid any issues with getting their products on Walmart's shelves.

Walmart Graphics Standards

Graphics and branding play a huge role in encouraging consumers to buy products. However, retailers also have rules to ensure the overarching retail brand stays paramount. 

For example, Walmart has colors specific to each season and/or holiday. Adherence to these colors is important to sell season-specific products effectively and maintain compliance.

Walmart publishes its Secondary Packaging Standards guide every year, and there are updates to those standards every year. While the document itself is usually quite long, it is a helpful tool to ensure all products are cased compliantly, and suppliers adhere to SQEP standards.

Related Resource: SQEP Phase 2 & 3

Where to Find Walmart's Secondary Packaging Standards

Suppliers can access Walmart's Secondary Packaging Standards via Retail Link.

Retail Link Homepage

Select Academy at the top of the page, then scroll down and click Packaging and Labeling.

Retail Link Packaging and Labeling

From there, under Packaging and Labeling, you will select Packaging and click View

Retail Link Packaging.png

Then scroll down almost to the bottom of the page, under Related Help Docs, and select Secondary Packaging Standards.

Retail Link Related HelpDocs.png

Walmart's 2025 Secondary Packaging Updates

The biggest 2025 update to Walmart's Secondary Packaging guide is their sustainability playbook. 

When it comes to sustainability, Walmart's ultimate goal is to exceed the current 30% recycling rate among consumers. Walmart boils its sustainability goals into three action items: optimizechange, and advance. These action items are the basis for the entirety of Walmart's “Recycling Playbook."

Optimize Recyclable Materials

For packaging that is already recyclable, Walmart's playbook ensures that every element is recyclable. Even the smallest element can make a package incompatible with recycling standards.

Under the category of optimization, the supplier should consider that the following materials do not have any elements (design or otherwise) that may reduce the recyclability of the packaging:

  • Paper

  • Certain recyclable plastic products (PE, HDPE, MDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE)

  • Glass

  • Paperboard

  • Corrugated board

  • Molded fiber

  • Aseptic boxes

  • Containers for refrigerated products

  • Gable top

  • Steel

  • Aluminum (including aerosols and others) 

These materials are used in the following ways:

  • Bags, films, and pouches

  • Bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs

  • Boxes

  • Canisters and cartons

  • Cans

  • Cushion, dunnage, and inserts

  • Trays, clamshells, and thermoforms

The supplier should consider that not only is the overall package recyclable but also smaller elements, such as the color of the packaging, the label, and the closure. If all elements are recyclable, then Walmart considers the packaging optimized for sustainability. 

Change To Recyclable Packaging

For packages made from non-recyclable material, Walmart's playbook lays out ideas for making changes to recyclable materials, or at least getting closer to being in line with Walmart's sustainability standards.

When it comes to non-recyclable packaging materials, the supplier should consider changing the following materials to something more (or entirely) recyclable:

  • Plastic (nylon, PET, PP, PVC, PVDC, acrylic, PETG, PS, PVC, miscellaneous, EPS, flat plastic)

  • Paper-based containers with metal tops or bottoms

  • Expanded polystyrene and other resins

These materials are commonly used in the following categories:

  • Bags, films, and pouches

  • Bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs

  • Canisters and cartons

  • Cushion, dunnage, and inserts

  • Trays, clamshells, and thermoforms

  • Blister packs

When changing a non-recyclable package to a recyclable one, be sure to test all available options. Once a packaging substitution is found, it is important to go through the optimization process to ensure the ideal outcome for sustainability. 

Advance Towards Complete Recyclability

For packaging that is not widely recyclable, it is important to consider options to advance toward more sustainable standards, with the goal of a "circular economy solution." 

Materials to consider in this category are the following:

  • Heat-in-the-bag

  • Meat film and soaker pads 

  • Plastic (PP and PET)

  • Coated paper-based containers

These materials are commonly used in the following categories:

  • Bags, films, and pouches

  • Bottles, jars, jugs, and tubs

  • Canisters and cartons

  • Trays, clamshells, and thermoforms

  • Plastic tubes

  • Small plastic containers

While complete recyclability is the goal, some products will require packaging that does not have a fully recyclable alternative available. In this case, it is important to find ways to advance toward a more recyclable option.

Walmart recommends exploring all alternatives and making sure the supplier understands what barriers prevent a completely recyclable option. If the barriers can be addressed, then that is the next necessary step. If not, then the next step would be a game plan to address the barrier while also advancing packaging as much as possible. 

Whether completely changing or optimizing packaging, the supplier should consider the investment required for each option. Optimizing requires the least time and money, whereas changing or advancing requires a higher investment. 

It is also important to ensure that taking steps toward recyclability does not create a trade-off in environmental impact–such as an increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Importance of Walmart's Secondary Packaging Standards

Understanding Walmart's Secondary Packaging Standards is important because the larger the retailer, the greater the compliance requirements. Staying compliant with Walmart's packaging standards means fewer issues and fewer fines. 

Related Resource: How to Dispute OTIF and SQEP Fines

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