Best Sustainable Packaging Materials for UK Businesses

hands holding cardboard and paper packaging materials

Correctly parcelling up your products is the difference between delighted customers and lost profits. Pick the wrong packaging, and you may as well toss your goods off the factory rooftop.

And these days, there’s increasing demand for sustainability in all areas – including product packaging. In fact, 84% of customers would be more likely to purchase from brands that ship sustainably than those who don’t (Ranpak and Harris poll).

As small business experts, we know how critical the packaging process is. If you’re ready to outsource, then the best fulfilment companies for small businesses will take care of your packaging for you. Or you can give them your preferred eco materials to use, in some cases.

But whether you’re a microbusiness selling out of your spare room or a high street shop wrapping ornaments for customers, you’ll need some good green packaging options. It’s time to get to grips with heat sealed bags, paper rolls, and squashy peanuts. Such materials are also essential for antique dealers, entrepreneurs, and charity shops looking to transport fragile goods between auctions, trade shows, and warehouses.

Of course, it’s no good ordering heaps of eco supplies if they’re poor quality. We know that biodegradable plastic can be notorious for ripping apart too easily. That’s why it’s a good idea to order free samples of packing supplies before you place a large order.

How to choose your eco packaging

If you run a high street shop, you want to think about looks as much as effective product protection. Sweet shops, coffee sellers, pet supply shops, craft suppliers, and gift shops will benefit from attractive plastic and paper goody bags. Such items are available in biodegradable, recycled and recyclable forms now, keeping eco conscious customers content.

If you’re an online seller, you’ll need to factor in green packing supplies into the cost of ecommerce fulfilment. You’ll need much more resilient materials to stop your goods getting damaged in transit. Prettiness is secondary to effectiveness, in this case.

When choosing how to protect your products for postage or transport, you need to balance all of the following:

Product needsEnvironmental factorsBusiness concerns
Void fillImpact protectionAffordability
Parcel structure and stiffnessMoisture sealStorage and stacking
Keeping liquids and foods sealedTemperature controlAppropriate labelling

Spend some time considering which of the above factors are critical to packaging your products. Then look for materials with the qualities you need. Saving you time and effort, we’ve put together some research on the greenest ways to mail your products.

Check out our suggestions for the best sustainable packaging options:

1. Paper packing tape

What it is and who it’s for:

Eco alternative to regular parcel tape, use it for sealing up packets, boxes and envelopes. It’s best suited to merchants shipping boxes of any size or used in offices or mailing rooms that send parcels that need sealing up.

How it’s green:

Recycle paper tape by leaving it on the cardboard box and sending it to the recycling centre as usual. If it ends up in landfill, it will decompose into harmless elements because it’s made of Kraft paper (plant pulp). The adhesive (stickiness) is typically made from natural rubber.

Regular parcel tape is made of petroleum-based plastics which can damage the environment.

Who sells it and how much it costs:

Eco-Craft Self Adhesive Paper Parcel Tape (4.8cm width, 50m length) £2.58 per roll incl VAT if you buy six. Delivery costs £3.72.

RAJAPACK Self-sealing brown paper tape (5cm width, 50m length) £3.68 per roll incl VAT, sold in packs of six. Delivery costs £9.49.

New Plastic Packaging Tax

Plastic packing materials are now taxed in the UK. Your supplier is in charge of sorting this out, so the fee should already be included in the packaging price you pay. If you buy packaging with 30% or more recycled plastic then it’s exempt from PPT, so it should be a little cheaper.

2. Dissolving packing peanuts

What it is and who it’s for:

Soft pellets used for void fill in parcels, eco packing peanuts are made of corn or potato starch.

Packing peanuts are useful for protecting delicate items in boxes for delivery, transport or storage. Entrepreneurs from a range of industries will benefit from these: antique and homeware dealers, glass makers, gift shops, plant sellers, memorabilia merchants, ceramics, hat makers, electronics and machinery.

How it’s green:

These can be reused, composted or simply dissolved in water.

Who sells it and how much it costs:

Eco Packaging Solutions compostable void fill packaging (4.02 ft³) for £8 incl VAT. Delivery costs £5.50.

Packability Biodegradable Coloured Packing Peanuts (15ft³) for £68.11 incl VAT. Delivery is £12.99.

@expert_market Lets talk: sustainable packaging options for your #smallbusiness 📦 More customers than ever want the businesses they support to be as eco friendly as possible. 81% of british shoppers reported a preference for sustainable packaging instead of heavy plastics and other materials that arent easy to #recycle Today #expertmarket ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

3. Flexi-Hex Kraft Sleeves

What it is and who it’s for:

Paper in a strong hexagon structure that wraps around a fragile product to protect it from bumps during transit.

Retailers of glassware, bottles, cosmetics, delicate ornaments, collectible items, consumer products, surfboards or breakable foodstuffs such as dried pasta can benefit from Flexi-Hex sleeves.

How it’s green:

Made of paper, Flexi-Hex is biodegradable, compostable and recyclable.

Who sells it and how much it costs:

Forms Plus Flexi Hex Bottle Sleeves (33cm x 3.5cm x 2cm) 61p per sleeve incl VAT if you order in packs of 100. Postage from £8.67.

Tiny Box Company Flexi-Hex® Kraft Sleeve for Fragile Products (30cm x 2.5cm x 3.5cm) 94p per sleeve incl VAT. Postage from £2.90.

4. Royal Mail PIP boxes

What it is and who it’s for:

Rigid boxes made of cardboard, without any glue. PIP stands for “pricing in proportion”, and choosing this smaller package allows you to use “large letter” postage from Royal Mail. These can fit through letter boxes, so there’s the added convenience of instant delivery.

These are suitable for: small items such as handmade accessories, jewellery, personal care and hygiene products, cosmetics, food sachets, human or pet medicines, subscription boxes and product samples.

Large and microbusiness owners can safely send somewhat fragile items while saving on postage.

Royal Mail Large Letter Max dimensions: 35.3cm x 25 cm x 2.5 cm
Max weight: 0.75 Kg

How it’s green:

Cardboard is widely recycled, reusable and biodegradable.

Who sells it and how much it costs:

iDeals Packaging C5 A5 Size Large Letter Box (25cm x 17cm x 2.3 cm). 17p per box (incl VAT) if you buy 100. Free standard shipping.

Packaging Products Online. Royal Mail PIP Box C5, brown (22cm x 16 cm x 2cm). 29p per box (incl VAT) if you buy 100. Free shipping.

5. Compostable carrier bags

What it is and who it’s for:

Like regular carrier bags, they’re squishy and flexible, and used to transport items by hand. They’re ideal for shop owners, take-away restaurants, and any in-person business that wants to make it easier to carry their items.

You can also use compostable carrier bags to keep items clean and protected during postage. Online merchants can wrap clothing, second-hand goods, and dry goods in a compostable carrier bag and post these in a rigid cardboard box or recyclable mailing bag.

You’ll need to advise customers and couriers not to leave these bags in the rain. They can get slimy as they are exposed to moisture.

How it’s green:

These bags meet the EU compostability standard EN13432, and they’ll break down into organic materials within three months. These are best re-used as food waste bags, where they’ll be taken into industrial composting units by your local council. You can put them into your home compost system, though they’ll take longer to decompose fully.

Who sells it and how much it costs:

Polybags. Compostable Vest Carrier Bags (27cm x 48cm) 13p per bag incl VAT or cheaper if you buy more. Free delivery.

Nature Pac. Home Compostable Vest Carrier Bags (30cm x 58cm) 18p per bag incl VAT. Delivery costs £11.95 for orders under £120.

What is Standard EN 13432?

EN 13432 is a European standard created in 2000 that defines how quickly a packaging material should break down in order to be considered “compostable”. It’s regarded as an industry standard internationally. Here’s a summary of the requirements:

  • At least 90% of the material has broken into pieces smaller than 2mmx2mm after 12 weeks.
  • It becomes carbon dioxide, water, and biomass after six months.
  • It doesn’t contain significant levels of fluorine, volatile matter or certain heavy metals.
  • It doesn’t harm the quality of the compost.

6. Self-sealing compostable mailing bags

What it is and who it’s for:

A soft self-sealing envelope, these work exactly like regular plastic mailing bags. Useful for all kinds of online sellers, such as toy shops, fashion retailers, sports equipment suppliers, hardware sellers, and the like.

Store away from direct heat, sunlight and humidity. You should use these within six months of delivery.

How it’s green:

It’s made from potato starch and other bio-based polymers. Compatible with the EU compostability standard EN13432, you can compost this at home over a few months. It will fully break apart in industrial compost units in under 90 days.

Who sells it and how much it costs:

Packaging Chimp compostable mailing bag, white (25cm x 35cm). 19p per bag incl VAT if you order 100. Next working day delivery is £3.49.

Sunpackaging compostable mailing bag, semi see-through (25cm x 35cm). 36p per bag incl VAT. Minimum order 200. Shipping: £5 flat rate.

What does oxo biodegradable mean?

An oxo biodegradable material contains an ingredient which speeds up the process of decomposing. They’re not suitable for composting or recycling. For that reason, some argue that oxo biodegradable materials are actually bad for the environment.

7. Recyclable mailing bags

What it is and who it’s for:

A flexible self-sealing plastic bag for sending items in the post, such as: clothing, accessories, toys, books, electronics, lightweight tools, assembly kits, and anything else that’s tough enough to get thrown around the mailing room.

Recyclable mailing bags are low-cost, easy to store, and very strong. They last a long time in storage, unlike biodegradable plastic packaging. For this reason, they’re best suited to startups and smaller businesses with lower shipping volumes. Given their convenient properties, recyclable mailing bags also suit larger operations such as warehouse order fulfilment and international shipping, too.
How it’s green:

It’s made of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), the same material as six pack rings. It’s recyclable, so it can be made into new products over and over again. However, only around 5% of this plastic gets recycled, and it often ends up in oceans instead. So if you’re going to give it to customers, you should make sure you tell them it’s recyclable.

Who sells it and how much it costs:

Packaging Products Online. Grey Recyclable Mailing Bags, (25cm x 35cm) 10p per bag incl VAT. Free first class shipping.

Kite Packaging. Eco mailing bags, white (25cm x 35cm) 18p per bag incl VAT (or cheaper if you buy more). Delivery around £7.

Polybags. 100% Recyclable Mailing Bag, green (25cm x 35cm) 14p per bag incl VAT. Free delivery. (This one is labelled as biodegradable, but we’d recommend recycling it instead. Check the FAQ for an explanation of “oxo-degradable” plastics to see why).

8. Recycled stand-up pouches with window

What it is and who it’s for:

A stand-up display package made of recycled paper with a clear plastic window. You’ll need a heat sealer to close up the top of the packet. It’s got a plastic strip inside to reseal the package contents. It’s lined with food-safe polyethene (plastic).

Shop owners, cafes managers and restaurateurs of any size will find this useful for preserved food, pet supplies, gardening supplies, potpourri, bath salts, cosmetics, powders, dried fruit, confectionery, snacks, tea or coffee.

How it’s green:

Depending on the manufacturer, at least 50% of the materials are recycled. This means you’re keeping rubbish out of landfill, and investing in the circular economy.

As some parts are plastic, it’s not entirely eco-friendly. It may be possible to recycle the plastic window, but the plastic lining could prove difficult to separate from the paper container.

However, this packaging is a step in the right direction for businesses not yet capable of becoming fully green.

Who sells it and how much it costs:

Transpack Kraft Window Stand Up Pouch with Zipper (18cm x 29cm) 32p per bag incl VAT (or cheaper if you buy more). Delivery is £6.95.

Polybags Recycled Stand Up Pouches with Window (24cm x 34cm) 73p per bag or cheaper if you buy over 100,000. Free delivery.

Sustainable business statistics

If you’re not already convinced, then here are some statistics which could persuade you to go green:

  • 84% of UK customers would be more likely to buy from brands that ship sustainably than those that don’t (Ranpak)
  • 81% of British shoppers prefer eco-friendly packaging materials (Statista)
  • 76% of consumers in the UK cared more about the sustainability of products in 2022 than they did in 2021 (Statista)
  • 75% of business leaders said their organisations have invested more in sustainability over the past year (Deloitte)
  • 84% of C-suite leaders believe the world can achieve global economic growth while also reaching climate change goals (Deloitte)
  • Around half (49%) of customers paid more for products branded “sustainable” in the past year (IBM)
  • Seven in 10 employees said they’re more likely to stay with an employer that has a good reputation on environmental sustainability (IBM)

Green steps forward

If you’re committed to offering your customers a green alternative to their regular shopping habits, use eco-friendly packaging. Luckily, technology is improving to the point where avoiding plastic while protecting your products in transit is now affordable.

Our top recommendations for environmentally conscious packaging are:

  1. Paper packing tape
  2. Dissolving packing peanuts
  3. Flexi-Hex Kraft Sleeves
  4. Royal Mail PIP boxes
  5. Compostable carrier bags
  6. Self-sealing compostable mailing bags
  7. Recyclable mailing bags
  8. Recycled stand-up pouches with window

If your online business is growing faster than you can keep up with orders, it may be time to hire a third party to manage your product deliveries. If that’s the case, check out our guide to ecommerce fulfilment costs to find out more.

For more green business inspiration, read our latest interview about how sustainability can boost your business

FAQ

What is oxo biodegradable packaging?
Packaging materials which are “oxo biodegradable” have an additive which makes them break down faster than normal plastic. This means that within two to five years, oxo biodegradable plastic packaging will separate into tiny pieces.

Is oxo biodegradable packaging bad for the environment?
Oxo biodegradable materials are banned in the EU because they break down into microplastics. These are tiny specks of plastic which end up in soil, waterways and the human food chain. Research has shown microplastics can negatively affect microorganisms and cause illness in larger animals.
Can you recycle bubble wrap?
Sometimes, but it can be difficult. You can now recycle bubble wrap at large collection points such as supermarkets. But many local councils won’t recycle bubble wrap from your home recycling box.

Green businesses try to avoid sending out bubble wrap with their packaging as it’s likely to end up in landfill. As it’s made of the same plastic as regular carrier bags (LDPE), bubble wrap that’s not recycled will remain in ecosystems for thousands of years.

Can you recycle jiffy bags?
While jiffy bags are partly made of paper, which is recyclable, the other materials make it difficult to recycle. For instance, the glue which holds the paper to the padding isn’t recyclable.

Most jiffy bags are padded with bubble wrap, which is difficult to recycle. Many councils won’t recycle bubble wrap from your home recycling collection; you’re supposed to take it to supermarkets instead. As many consumers aren’t willing to do this, jiffy bags are not considered an eco friendly packaging option.

However, you can recycle jiffy bags which contain shredded paper padding and no plastic.

Written by:
Sabrina Dougall
Sabrina is a business journalist whose career began in news reporting. She has a master's in Investigative Journalism from City University London, and her work has appeared in The Times, The Daily Express, Money Saving Expert, Camden New Journal, Global Trade Review, and Computer Business Review. She specializes in writing about SEO (search engine optimization). Having run her own small business, Sabrina knows first-hand how critical digital marketing is to building a client base and local reputation.