Sustainable packaging guide: kraft, paper tape & recyclability

What makes packaging sustainable?

Packaging is sustainable when it's made from renewable material, can be recycled or composted after use, and is sized to avoid waste. In practice that means favouring paper and board over plastic, avoiding mixed materials that can't be separated, and right-sizing the pack so you're not shipping air or padding a small item in a huge box. Kraft paper and board tick the first two boxes — they're made from a renewable fibre and are widely recycled — which is why they anchor most low-waste packaging kits.

In short: sustainable packaging is renewable, recyclable and right-sized — which is why kraft paper and board are the usual starting point.

Is kraft paper recyclable?

Yes — uncoated kraft paper and board are among the most widely recycled packaging materials. Kraft is made from wood fibre and can generally be recycled in standard kerbside paper and cardboard collections; the UK's Recycle Now guidance lists paper and cardboard among the materials commonly collected kerbside, though exact rules vary by local authority. To keep it recyclable, keep the kraft free of heavy plastic coatings and remove any non-paper components, like a plastic tape strip, before you put it in the recycling.

In short: uncoated kraft paper and board are widely recyclable kerbside in most UK areas — just keep them free of plastic coatings and tape, and check your local collection.

How do I replace the plastic in my packaging?

Replace plastic by swapping each plastic component for a recyclable or reusable equivalent, one at a time. Use kraft paper tape instead of plastic packing tape so the sealed box recycles in one piece; protect bottles with double-walled kraft bottle boxes and reusable inflatable air-cushion sleeves instead of bubble wrap; and choose kraft pouches and board boxes instead of plastic bags and foil-lined packs. Each swap removes a material your customer would otherwise have to separate or bin.

• Kraft paper tape — plastic-free tape to seal cartons in one recyclable piece.
• Kraft food pouches — paper-based stand-up pouches for dry goods.
• Protective bottle packaging — air-cushion sleeves and board boxes that guard bottles in transit.
• Beer & wine carrier boxes — plain recyclable board carriers for bottles.

In short: swap plastic tape for paper tape, bubble wrap for reusable air-cushion bottle sleeves, and plastic bags for kraft pouches and board boxes.

What does a low-waste packaging kit look like?

A low-waste kit pairs a right-sized kraft container with low-plastic protection and a paper seal. For a food brand that's a kraft pouch sized to the fill weight; for a drinks or gift brand it's a double-walled board bottle box, a reusable air-cushion sleeve around the bottle, a wine gift bag for presentation, and kraft paper tape to seal the outer. The board, bag and tape all go in the same recycling stream, and the air sleeve is reusable — which is what makes the kit genuinely low-waste rather than just low-waste-looking.

In short: a right-sized kraft container + paper protection + paper tape — all recyclable together — is the core of a low-waste kit.

Frequently asked questions

Is paper tape better than plastic packing tape?

Yes, for recyclability. Kraft paper tape can be recycled together with the cardboard box it seals, so the whole parcel goes in one recycling stream. Plastic packing tape has to be peeled off first because it contaminates cardboard recycling, which is why paper tape is the lower-waste choice for sealing boxes.

What can I use instead of bubble wrap for bottles?

Reusable inflatable air-cushion bottle sleeves are a low-waste alternative to bubble wrap for posting glass bottles. The clear sleeve inflates into rows of air columns that cradle the bottle, deflates flat for storage, and pairs with a double-walled kraft bottle box so the whole parcel protects the bottle without single-use plastic packing material.

Does sustainable packaging cost more?

Not necessarily. Kraft pouches, paper tape and board boxes are competitively priced, and buying by the pack with no large minimum keeps costs predictable for small brands. The bigger saving is reputational: customers increasingly choose brands whose packaging they can recycle.