Min. 100 units · 3–5 days
6 made-to-order formats
Three environmental claims, three different burdens of proof
Recycled content, kerbside recyclability and certified compostability are not the same claim. Brands get into trouble by printing one and being able to evidence another.
- Minimum
- 100 units
- Production
- 3–5 days
- Delivery
- US, UK, Canada, Australia
Say what you can evidence
Recycled content is about what the material is made from. Recyclability is about where it can go afterwards, and it depends on local collection as much as on the material. Compostability generally means industrial facilities, not a garden heap.
Tell us which claim you intend to print on the pack and we will specify a material that supports it — or say plainly that it does not exist at your price point, which is sometimes the answer.
The three claims compared
What each one requires and where each falls short.
| Claim | What it needs | Where it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Recycled content | Mill documentation on fibre source | Says nothing about disposal |
| Kerbside recyclable | No film laminate, no mixed layers | Depends on local collection |
| Store drop-off recyclable | Mono-material construction | Requires customer effort |
| Certified compostable | Certification and industrial facilities | Rarely available to consumers |
What quietly breaks a recyclability claim
A pack is only as recyclable as its least recyclable component. A film window, a plastic laminate, a foil block or a synthetic label can each move an otherwise clean paperboard pack out of the kerbside stream.
If recyclability is the claim, it has to constrain the finish decisions too — not just the board. That is the part most briefs miss.
The range
Sustainable Packaging We Produce
No format matches that. Try a shorter word, or describe what you need in a quote request.
Specification
Choosing a Sustainable Packaging Specification
Materials
- 12pt SBS paperboard
- 14pt SBS paperboard
- 16pt SBS paperboard
- 18pt kraft board
- recycled CCNB board
- Spiral-wound kraft board
- White-lined kraft board
- Recycled paperboard
Which claim you can actually support. Recycled content, kerbside recyclability and certified compostability are three different things. Our guide to packaging board and film grades compares them on strength, print quality and cost.
Printing
- Offset lithography
- Digital press
- Flexography
- Printed wrap label
- Direct digital printing
- Screen printing
Run length usually decides this. Digital wins on shorter quantities because there is no plate cost; beyond that, offset and flexo overtake it on price per unit.
Finishes
- Gloss lamination
- Matte lamination
- Soft-touch lamination
- Spot UV
- Foil stamping
- Embossing
- Debossing
- Aqueous coating
- Matte wrap
- Gloss wrap
Finishes are applied in the same production run. Each one adds a step, so we price them individually rather than bundling them into the base rate.
Applications
- Shelf display in specialty retail
- Subscription and gift sets
- E-commerce inner packaging
- Point-of-purchase counters
- Cosmetics and skincare
- Tea and dry goods
Most orders here come from retail and grocery, food and beverage, e-commerce and dtc brands.
Specification builder
Specify your sustainable packaging in under a minute
Set what you know, leave the rest. Everything here travels with your request, so nothing gets retyped.
- 100-unit minimum
- 3–5 day production
- Free dieline
- No obligation
YOUR BRAND
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Recent work
Sustainable Packaging We Have Produced
Claims that do not survive scrutiny
Four we advise against.
- Printing "recyclable" on a pack with a film laminate or a plastic window.
- Using "compostable" without stating that industrial facilities are required.
- Claiming recycled content without the mill documentation to support it.
- Describing a pack as sustainable on the basis of one component while the rest is unchanged.
Worth reading before you specify
- which environmental claims hold upThe differences set out in full.
- where each sustainable option falls shortWritten to be honest rather than promotional.
Get a price
Quote a Sustainable Packaging Run
Send the product details and the quantity you have in mind. We reply with a specification and a written price, usually within one business day.
Prices start from $0.30 per piece for large-volume orders. Final pricing depends on size, material, printing, finishes, and quantity.
No obligation
Quote Sustainable Packaging
Send us the product details and quantity. We reply with a specification and a written price, usually within one business day.
Answers
Sustainable Packaging Questions
What is the difference between recyclable and compostable?
Recyclable means it can re-enter a material stream, which depends on local collection. Compostable means it breaks down under specific conditions — usually industrial, not a garden heap. They are different claims with different evidence.
Is recycled board weaker?
Slightly, at the same caliper. Recycled fibres are shorter, so it is a little less stiff and absorbs moisture faster. Stepping up one caliper generally restores performance while keeping the claim.
Can you certify recycled content?
We can state the recycled content of the board and provide the mill documentation. We do not issue certifications ourselves, and we would rather give you evidence than a claim you cannot substantiate.
Does a window make packaging non-recyclable?
A PET film window usually does, for kerbside collection at least. A die-cut aperture with no film keeps the pack clean if visibility matters less than the claim.
Is compostable packaging better than recyclable?
Not usually, in practice. Certified compostable stock generally needs industrial facilities that most consumers cannot access. If kerbside recycling is realistic for your buyers, a recyclable stock does more real good.
Can I have a barrier and full recyclability?
Not at the top end. The best barriers are multi-layer laminates, which resist recycling for the same reason they resist oxygen. Mono-material films recycle through store drop-off with a shorter shelf life.
How much more does sustainable packaging cost?
Recycled paperboard is usually within a few percent of conventional. Certified compostable runs materially higher. We quote the options side by side so the difference is visible.
What is the minimum order?
A flat 100 units on any format, which is enough to trial a recycled specification through real handling before committing.
Do sustainable inks exist?
Vegetable- and water-based inks are available and are generally compatible with recycling streams. They are a smaller factor than the substrate and the coating, which is where the claim is actually decided.
Can you help decide which claim to make?
Yes, and it is the most useful conversation to have first. Tell us your product, where it is sold and what your customers can realistically do with the pack afterwards.
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Next step
Ready to Specify Your Sustainable Packaging?
Send the product dimensions and the quantity you need. We come back with a specification, a lead time and a written price.