Why choose eco-friendly packaging?

What makes packaging sustainable?

To earn the label "sustainable", packaging can meet a number of different criteria. Eco-friendly packaging is, for example:

reusable;
made from recyclable material;
produced from renewable or recycled raw materials;
manufactured more efficiently;
more efficient in use, because less material is required.

By sustainable packaging materials we therefore mean packaging and void fill made from paper, cardboard or bioplastic. Packaging made from conventional materials that can be used more than once also falls within this category.

Reusable, recyclable or renewable: what is the difference?

These three terms are often used interchangeably, although they mean different things. Reusable means you deploy the same item more than once, such as a releasable cable tie. Recyclable means the material returns to the chain as a raw material after use; paper and cardboard score excellently here, provided no plastic is attached to them. Renewable refers to origin: the raw material grows back, such as wood fibre or starch. Packaging that performs well on all three counts is usually the most sustainable choice — but even one of the three is a gain compared with virgin plastic.

Sustainable packaging materials at a glance

The table below sets out the main eco-friendly alternatives and what you use them for.

Material	Sustainability feature	Typical application
Paper tape	Recyclable together with the box; no plastic to separate	Sealing cardboard boxes
Honeycomb paper	Entirely paper; replaces bubble wrap	Wrapping fragile products
Sustainable envelopes	Paper padding instead of bubble film	Shipping small, delicate items
Durable filling material	Paper or biodegradable material	Filling void space inside the box
Cardboard labels	Cardboard instead of PVC; recyclable	Labelling pallets, crates and goods
Recycled bubble wrap	Made from recycled polyethylene	Protecting and cushioning during shipping
Recycled cable ties	Made from recycled plastic; same tensile strength	Bundling cables, hoses and goods
FibreStrap paper cable ties	Entirely paper; recyclable with the cardboard	Bundling and closing without plastic
Reusable aids	Multiple use; less purchasing	Bundling, labelling and resealing

Paper tape

Paper tape is the most visible alternative to conventional packaging tape. Because the tape is made of paper, your customer does not have to peel it off the box before the cardboard goes into the paper recycling: box and tape enter the recycling stream together. Gummed paper tape also bonds through the cardboard fibre, giving a strong, visibly sealed closure.

Honeycomb paper

Honeycomb paper expands into a three-dimensional honeycomb structure as you pull it from the roll, moulding itself around the product. It therefore combines the shock absorption of bubble wrap with the recyclability of paper — ideal for glassware, bottles, electronics and other fragile items.

Sustainable envelopes

Sustainable envelopes are lined with paper rather than bubble film. They offer comparable protection for small shipments but can go into the paper recycling in one piece. For webshops sending large numbers of small parcels, this is often the simplest first step.

Durable filling material

Void space inside a box is the single biggest cause of transit damage. With durable filling material made from paper or biodegradable material, you fill that space without adding plastic to the shipment.

Cardboard labels

Cardboard labels replace plastic tags and hang labels. They are writable, sturdy enough for internal transport, and simply go out with the paper waste at the end of their life.

Recycled bubble wrap

Not every product can be packed in paper without further thought. For shipments where you need the familiar properties of film — moisture-resistant, transparent and lightweight — recycled bubble wrap is the sustainable middle ground. The film is manufactured from recycled polyethylene and protects just as reliably as the standard version, but requires no virgin raw material. Nothing about your packing process changes.

Eco-friendly cable ties: recycled plastic or paper

There are gains to be made in bundling and closing too. Within the eco-friendly cable ties range you have two routes. Recycled cable ties are made from recycled plastic and retain the tensile strength and fitting method you are used to: you simply swap the article. FibreStrap paper cable ties go a step further and are made entirely of paper, so the bundling can go into the paper recycling along with the cardboard box. That makes them particularly suitable for companies aiming for a completely plastic-free shipment.

Does paper void fill protect as well as bubble wrap?

For the vast majority of shipments, yes. Paper systems such as honeycomb paper and crumpled void fill work through air pockets and fibre spring, absorbing shocks and vibration. One thing to bear in mind: paper usually needs slightly more volume than film to deliver the same cushioning. So allow for a modestly larger quantity of void fill per box when you switch — a difference you more than recover by no longer having to separate two waste streams. If paper turns out not to be sufficient for a particular product, recycled bubble wrap is a good alternative. Not sure? Request a sample and test your own packaging before making the change.

Three benefits for your business

Switching to eco-friendly packaging benefits the environment first and foremost. But as a producer or shipper, you gain as well — in three ways.

1. You make a visible statement

Handling raw materials, production methods and materials more consciously is not only necessary for the climate, it is also visible. Packaging is often the first physical point of contact between your company and your customer. Whether or not you engage with sustainability can be the deciding factor for prospective customers. So distinguish yourself positively from your competitors and position your product explicitly as sustainable. Have you chosen sustainable packaging? Then say so — on your website, in your marketing or on the packaging itself. That is how you convince the one customer who was still hesitating.

2. Efficiency pays

Packing efficiently means the size of the box matches the size of the product as closely as possible. That brings several environmental benefits: less packaging material is needed, less void fill and tape, and less "air" has to be transported — which lowers CO₂ emissions per shipment.

It works out well for you too. A well-fitting box reduces the risk of transit damage, so fewer products come back. More orders fit into a roll cage or lorry at once. And you save on void fill and packaging tape. A genuine win-win.

3. Reusable material means less purchasing

Alongside biodegradable and recycled packaging, reusable materials and aids also fall under the heading "sustainable". Think of resealable cable ties, reusable label clips and resealable bags that simply serve again for the next order after a return. The more of your material that is reusable, the less new material you need to buy. You will notice that in your budget over time.

Is sustainable packaging material more expensive?

Per roll or per box, the purchase price of a sustainable alternative is sometimes slightly higher than that of the conventional version. Look at total packaging costs, though, and the sum often works out differently. You save on waste processing because fewer streams have to be separated, you use less material per shipment if you also start packing more efficiently, and you get fewer returns caused by damage. So do not calculate with the price per roll, but with the cost per parcel shipped — the difference is then usually small to negligible.

How do you switch without disrupting your packing process?

A complete changeover in one go is rarely necessary and rarely sensible. In practice, a step-by-step approach works best:

Start with closing and bundling material. Paper tape replaces packaging tape and recycled or paper cable ties replace the standard ones — without any change to your box sizes or work instructions.
Replace the void fill next. Paper void fill and honeycomb paper call for a short briefing at the packing bench, and nothing more.
Look at the box itself last. Adjusting box sizes affects your entire logistics operation and takes the most preparation — but it also delivers the largest saving.

Test each step on a portion of your shipments first. That way you quickly see what it does to your packing time, material consumption and damage rate, without overhauling your entire stock at once.

Kortpack makes sustainable packing straightforward

Are you considering the switch to eco-friendly packaging material? Then Kortpack is the right (web) address. We are the wholesaler in packaging and shipping materials and offer a broad range for environmentally responsible packing — from paper tape, honeycomb paper and sustainable envelopes to filling material, cardboard labels, recycled bubble wrap and eco-friendly cable ties.

Ordered on working days before 3:30 PM? Then your order will be shipped the same day. Enjoy free delivery on orders over €75 excl. VAT.

Do you have questions about which sustainable packaging materials are best suited to your situation? Please don't hesitate to contact us — by phone on +31 184 – 614256, via info@kortpack.nl or via WhatsApp.

Why sustainable packaging is on every company's agenda