Plastic Free Packaging

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Our Plastic Free Packaging collection brings together a range of transit packaging products designed for businesses that want to remove single-use plastic from their packing process. Every product in this collection is manufactured without plastic and is fully recyclable through standard UK paper and card recycling streams.

Many conventional e-commerce packing operations rely on plastic void fill, mailing bags or plastic tapes. This range provides paper-based alternatives that deliver the same protection and packing performance while remaining plastic free. Materials such as corrugated cardboard, kraft paper and paper-based tapes are used throughout the collection.

Plastic Free Packaging

Most items are produced from responsibly sourced raw materials, with many products made from FSC® certified or sustainably managed paper and board. FSC® certification confirms the fibre originates from forests managed to recognised environmental and social standards.

We can also custom print items in this range using plant based or water based inks, helping you add branding while keeping the packaging widely recyclable through UK paper and cardboard recycling streams.

Frequently Asked Questions about Plastic Free Packaging

What does “plastic free packaging” mean in practice?: In packaging terms, “plastic free” normally means there is no intentionally added plastic in the pack structure. That includes no plastic film, no polymer coatings, and no plastic liners. The goal is a fibre based construction (paper and board) that can enter standard recycling streams without plastic separation.
Is plastic free packaging ever truly 100% plastic free?: Trace elements can still be present in most packaging, especially where recycled fibres are used. Recycled paper and board can contain tiny residual plastics from labels, inks, adhesives, tapes, window films, or cross contamination during collection and pulping. These traces are not intentionally added, but they can exist at very low levels.
Can I legally claim “plastic free” on packaging in the UK?: You can claim “plastic free” when the material is 100% free of intentionally added plastic (including coatings and liners) and the claim has been verified by independent testing. To stay accurate and avoid misleading claims under the CMA Green Claims Code, the claim should be supported by appropriate evidence, commonly via UKAS accredited certification in the UK.
What evidence should I keep to support a plastic free claim?: Keep a clear specification for each packaging component (substrate, coatings, adhesives, and any liners), plus supplier declarations and test evidence where available. If you are making an on pack claim, independent verification and UKAS accredited certification are the strongest forms of support.
Does plastic free automatically mean 100% recyclable?: Not always. “Plastic free” refers to material composition, while “recyclable” depends on how local UK recycling accepts and processes the pack. Fibre based packs are generally widely recyclable, but heavy coatings, excessive wet strength treatments, or contamination can reduce recyclability.
How should plastic free e-commerce packaging be disposed of?: Where the pack is paper or cardboard based, it should go into normal household paper and card recycling. Remove non paper contaminants where possible (for example shipping labels or tape, depending on your local authority guidance). Keep it clean and dry for best recycling outcomes.
Are paper tapes and peel and seal adhesives still plastic free?: It depends on the exact construction. Paper tapes can be plastic free when the carrier is paper and the adhesive system contains no intentionally added plastic. Peel and seal strips and release liners can sometimes introduce polymers, so these should be checked on a product by product basis if you plan to make a plastic free claim.
What is the difference between plastic free and compostable packaging?: Plastic free packaging focuses on avoiding intentionally added plastics, often using paper and board. Compostable packaging can still contain plastics, for example compostable biopolymers, and often requires specific composting conditions. For many e-commerce operations, recyclable fibre based formats are the simplest route for kerbside disposal.
Can plastic free packaging still protect products in transit?: Yes, when it is designed correctly. Fibre based solutions can provide rigidity, crush resistance, and good puncture performance. Examples include corrugated postal boxes, paper cushioning, and reinforced mailers. “Puncture resistance” means how well the material resists tearing from sharp edges during handling.
Can you custom print plastic free packaging?: Yes. We can custom print many items in this collection using plant based or water based inks. These ink systems are commonly chosen to support recyclability and reduce reliance on petrochemical solvent carriers, while still delivering strong branding and scuff resistance for e-commerce handling.
Does using recycled fibre increase the chance of trace plastics?: It can. Recycled fibre streams are more likely to carry trace contaminants from the previous life of the material. This is one reason why “plastic free” claims are normally defined around intentionally added plastics, and why independent testing is used when a formal claim is required.
What should I avoid if I want to keep packaging plastic free?: Avoid plastic coatings and films, window patches, polymer laminations, and plastic liners. Also check closures and labels, as some pressure sensitive adhesives and release liners may contain polymer content. If in doubt, request full material declarations and verification evidence from the supplier.