Abstract: A method is provided for the smart packaging initiative (SPI) scoring system, with particular relevance for the toy industry. The SPI scoring system may include at least four indicators, including carbon footprint of packaging on a life-cycle basis, materials health on a life-cycle basis, waste-to-landfill measurement, and cube utilization. By using a SPI classification system, products can be placed in classes with very similar functional packaging requirements, regardless of the specific toy genre or traditional retail classification of the product. Accordingly, by utilizing data available for existing products in the industry, a baseline environmental norm for packaging categories can be established, providing a useful reference point for improvement. Further, the SPI scoring system can also support comparisons of multiple packaging scenarios for the same product, allowing users to refine their package designs towards environmentally preferable design changes.