Sustainability
Environmental claims you can defend
We would rather specify a material that genuinely supports your claim than help you print one you cannot back up.
Three claims, not one
Recycled content describes what the packaging is made from. Recyclability describes whether local infrastructure will actually accept it. Compostability describes breakdown under specific conditions, almost always industrial rather than home.
These get conflated constantly, and the resulting on-pack wording is where brands attract complaints. Decide which claim you are making before choosing a material, because the material follows the claim rather than the other way round.
Which of the three you can actually defend is worked through in the sustainable packaging guide.
What we can supply
Each option below is genuinely available and comes with the documentation to support it.
- Recycled paperboard with stated post-consumer content percentage
- Corrugated with high recycled content as standard
- Water-based aqueous coatings that keep board recyclable in paper streams
- PE-free grease barriers for food packaging
- Recyclable mono-material polyethylene pouches
- Certified industrial compostable films and coatings with certification documents
- Moulded pulp protective components from recycled fibre
- Uncoated and unbleached constructions with no laminate at all
The formats built specifically around recycled and recyclable stocks sit in our sustainable packaging range.
The change that actually reduces material
Right-sizing does more than any substrate swap. A pack trimmed to fit removes board, reduces shipping volume and cuts freight emissions in one move — and it lowers cost rather than raising it.
Eliminating a component does the same. A fitted insert replacing loose void fill, or a printed outer replacing an outer plus a sleeve, makes the pack simpler and lighter at the same time.
Designing for a single material stream matters too. A carton that is entirely paper recycles cleanly; the same carton with a plastic window and a foil block does not, unless the customer separates them, which they will not.
Right-sizing depends on measuring the product rather than the current box, which the size guide explains step by step.
What we will not do
We will not describe a pack as compostable without certification, or as recyclable where the material realistically has no collection route. We will not apply a leaf motif and vague wording in place of a specific claim.
If you want an environmental claim on the pack, tell us what it is and we will specify a material that supports it, or tell you plainly that it does not exist at your price point.
Environmental claims
Tell us which claim you intend to print
Recycled content, kerbside recyclability and certified compostability need different evidence. Say which one you are making and we will specify to it.
No obligation
Request a quote
Send us the product details and quantity. We reply with a specification and a written price, usually within one business day.
Answers
Questions about sustainable packaging claims
What is the difference between recyclable and compostable?
Recyclable means the material can be reprocessed where collection exists. Compostable means it breaks down into organic matter, almost always requiring industrial composting conditions rather than a home bin.
Is compostable packaging better than recyclable?
Not automatically. Industrial composting access is limited across most of the US, and compostable items entering recycling streams contaminate them. Recyclable paper packaging often has the better real-world outcome.
How much more does sustainable packaging cost?
Recycled board is often within a few percent of virgin. Aqueous coatings are broadly cost-neutral against lamination. Mono-material film carries a modest premium. Certified compostable materials are typically 20% to 40% higher.
Can you supply certification documents?
Yes, for certified compostable materials and for recycled content claims. We would rather supply evidence than have you make a claim you cannot substantiate.
What recycled content can you achieve?
Corrugated commonly exceeds 70% recycled content as standard. Recycled paperboard grades are widely available. We state the actual percentage rather than an approximation.
Are mono-material pouches genuinely recyclable?
They are recyclable through store drop-off programmes where those exist, which is a weaker recovery route than kerbside collection. It is a real improvement over multi-layer laminate, not a complete solution.
Do sustainable materials perform as well?
Recycled board performs close to virgin for most applications. Aqueous coatings have lower barrier performance than laminates. Mono-material films need filling line adjustments. We flag the trade-offs before you commit.
Can I remove plastic from my packaging entirely?
Often yes. Paper-only constructions with water-based coatings work for many dry retail products. Wet, greasy or long-shelf-life products are harder and sometimes not currently possible.
What should I print about disposal?
Be specific about what the customer should do. "Recycle with paper" or "industrially compostable, not suitable for home composting" are defensible. A generic leaf symbol is not.
How do I reduce packaging waste fastest?
Right-size the pack. It removes material, reduces freight volume and lowers cost simultaneously, which no material substitution does.
Next step
Tell us what you are packing
Send the product dimensions and the quantity you need. We come back with a specification, a lead time and a written price.