The Best Eco-friendly Packaging in the UK

Packaging is integral to hundreds of industries, from eCommerce and retail to the food and drinks sector. With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to decipher what the best eco-friendly packaging is. 

In the UK market, we’re blessed with more than a few environmentally friendly options that can revolutionise the way we pack and distribute our goods. So what is the best eco-friendly packaging in the UK, and what makes it so effective?

Eco-friendly Packaging Ideas for Your Business

Each business will need different packaging solutions for different kinds of products. Finding and implementing the right solution can save you thousands of pounds a year by reducing the number of damaged deliveries and unsatisfied customers, not to mention the savings on excess packaging costs. 

1. Self-Seal Cardboard Packaging Boxes

These kinds of postal boxes feature a peel-and-seal strip, making packing your products a lot more efficient. Self-seal boxes are an ideal solution for eCommerce businesses and online retailers as they can be packed in under 20 seconds. The addition of a tear-away tab enhances the customer’s experience too, giving them a hassle-free option to unbox their highly anticipated delivery.

This kind of packaging also has an extended lifespan since it’s easily reusable and doesn’t need to be dismantled or destroyed to gain access to the product inside.

Better still, it is 100% recyclable and biodegradable. Cardboard packaging is a highly favourable option for consumers, and it’s reported that half of UK consumers are willing to pay more for products that avoid the use of plastic. 

2. Cardboard Gable Boxes

These boxes are extremely popular for a reason. Featuring unique construction and a versatile design, gable boxes are perfect for any takeaway outlet or restaurant delivery service. If you want to give your customers a touch of quality with their delivery, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better all-round solution for any kind of takeaway packaging. 

Made from 100% recycled materials — and 100% recyclable — these boxes won’t be beaten when it comes to sustainability. Their durability means that they can be used again and again by your customers, allowing your packaging to go further. 

3. Kraft Catering Packaging

Kraft packaging is completely plastic-free and 100% recyclable, making it a fantastic sustainable option for food vendors. From food-grade pizza boxes to tableware, Kraft products are more advanced than basic cardboard as they feature grease-resistant linings, making them more recyclable. 

Kraft products are also a much safer alternative to plastic food packaging after the release of some concerning findings regarding the reuse of plastic containers for takeaways. When exposed to high temperatures, low-quality plastic containers can leak dangerous chemicals into the food that they contain. As cheap as they are, you could be putting your customers’ health and wellbeing at risk by using them, so put your customers’ minds at ease with a much more suitable takeaway packaging solution.

Honourable Mentions: Eco-friendly Void Fill and Paper Tape

It wouldn’t be a complete list of the best eco-friendly packaging in the UK without mentioning the final bits and pieces you’ll need to create 100% environmentally safe packages: 

Paper Tape — You can use paper tape, made from biodegradable materials, to seal your packages without the use of plastic-based adhesives. This means that when your customers come to recycle your packaging, they aren’t left with the challenging task of removing all of the tape that wrapped up their delivery. 

Leaving excessive amounts of non-recyclable tape on your packages makes recycling less efficient. Some recycling facilities can effectively remove a small amount of tape as part of the recycling process, but it creates lesser quality cardboard as a result. This shortens the lifespan of your recycled packaging and creates the need for more cardboard to be created, so using paper tape can circumvent this issue entirely. 

Plastic-Free Void Fill — Our void fill comes in a few handy forms, allowing you to protect a variety of products with different kinds of void fill packaging — all of which is 100% recyclable and plastic-free. Our versatile EcoNutz can save space in your parcels and protect your products from damage as can our PuffPack and NestPack products, which are ideal for securing fragile shipments. 

The Most Effective Eco-friendly Packaging Solutions for You

With these eco-friendly supplies, you can ensure that your business is doing everything within your power to make sure your packages protect the environment. Whether you’re a food vendor, eCommerce retailer or any other business that wants to help save the planet, you can get the packaging that your customers will love.

If you’re after something extra special, check out our custom packaging options and take advantage of our expertise in creating jaw-dropping designs that’ll boost your brand recognition and be the envy of your competitors.

 Interested in using the best eco-friendly packaging the UK has to offer? Discover our entire range of environmentally friendly, biodegradable and recyclable solutions that will protect your products and the planet. 

If you want to take your packaging to the next level, why not get in touch with our design team for a free custom packaging quote today?