Sustainability
Eco friendly packaging: what counts and what you can claim
Eco friendly packaging is packaging that cuts waste across its life: less material, made from paper or fiber that actually gets recycled, in a size that doesn't ship empty space. There's no official definition. In the US, the FTC says broad claims like eco-friendly are hard to back up, so what you can prove matters more than the label.
The honest version is less exciting than the marketing. Use less, use paper, print it plainly and make it easy to recycle. This guide shows how, and when none of it is worth the cost.
By Talha LoneUpdated
What counts as eco friendly
Three tests do most of the work:
- Is it recyclable where your customer lives? A material that recycles in theory but not at the curb doesn't count.
- Is it the right size? A box twice as big as the product uses more board and costs more to ship. Shipping box sizes shows how a bigger box more than doubles billed weight.
- Does it add anything that can't recycle? Lamination, window film and some coatings add plastic to a paper box.
Paper does well on the first test. The EPA's paper and paperboard data shows paper and paperboard recycled at 68.2% in 2018, the highest of any material in household waste. Corrugated boxes reached 96.5%.
Materials compared
| Material | End of life | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Paperboard folding carton | Curbside paper recycling | Lamination and window film add plastic |
| Corrugated cardboard | Curbside cardboard recycling | Tape and labels. Plastic tape should come off |
| Kraft paper or board | Curbside paper recycling | Brown isn't the same as recycled. See below |
| Plastic film mailers | Usually not accepted curbside | Check local drop-off rules |
| Compostable mailers | Need a facility that accepts them | [Compostable packaging](/blog/compostable-packaging/) explains the catch |
Kraft being brown doesn't make it recycled, by the way. Paper and paperboard already recycle at 68.2% whether they're white or brown. Choosing kraft changes how the print looks, not how green the box is. If you want certified wood, look for the FSC label, not the color. See FSC certified packaging.
What you can claim on the box
The FTC's Green Guides say marketers shouldn't make broad, unqualified claims such as green or eco-friendly, because they are difficult to substantiate. Qualify the claim with the specific benefit.
- Say: Recyclable paper box. Water-based coating.
- Be careful with: Biodegradable. Unqualified, it implies the whole package breaks down within one year, which items headed to landfill generally won't.
- Qualify: Recyclable, if facilities aren't available to at least 60 percent of the consumers where you sell. Add a note such as may not be recyclable in your area.
That's why we say 100% recyclable about our paper-first materials and add the caveat that lamination and window film add plastic. Aqueous coating goes on every box, is water-based and recycles with the box.
Where to start
- Right-size the box. Measure the product, then order the box around it. How to measure a box shows how.
- Print one or two inks. Less ink, easier recycling and a cleaner look.
- Skip the plastic extras. Use a die-cut hole instead of a clear window.
- Choose paper board. Kraft boxes and cardboard boxes are the simplest places to begin.
When eco friendly isn't worth chasing
If a stock box already fits and you don't need it printed, buy stock. A box that exists already uses no new tooling. And the greenest box is the one you don't need: if your product ships safely in the box it came in, reuse that.
- You need fewer than 50. Stock plus a printed sticker is cheaper and wastes less.
- You need certified compostable food packaging. Ask a food-service specialist. That's not what we make.
- You need it in days. Production takes 10–12 days from proof approval, plus shipping.
If a paper-first box suits you, send the product's length x width x height. We draw the box for free and tell you before the proof if a finish would add plastic.
Frequently asked questions
What is eco friendly packaging?
Packaging that reduces waste over its life, through less material, recyclable fiber and a right-sized design. There is no official definition, so claim specific benefits rather than the label.
Is cardboard eco friendly?
It's one of the easier choices. The EPA reports corrugated boxes were recycled at 96.5% in 2018. Plastic tape and lamination reduce that advantage.
Can I put eco-friendly on my box?
The FTC advises against unqualified claims like eco-friendly because they are hard to substantiate. Name the benefit instead, such as recyclable paper box.
Is kraft more eco friendly than white board?
Not by itself. Both are paper, and paper and paperboard recycle at the same rate. Kraft changes how the print looks.
Does eco friendly packaging cost more?
Paper-first boxes aren't automatically dearer. Cost depends on style, size and print. Orders start at 50 units per design, and structural design is $0.