As the world becomes more aware of the impact of human activity on the environment, businesses are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. This blog post will provide the ultimate guide to eco-friendly packaging for your business.

Understand the different types of eco-friendly packaging

Before choosing the proper eco-friendly packaging for your business, you must understand the available different types. Some of the most common types include:

• Biodegradable packaging: This type of packaging can break down naturally over time, usually through the action of microorganisms.

• Compostable packaging: Compostable packaging is designed to break down quickly in a compost environment, leaving no harmful residue.

• Recyclable packaging: This type of packaging can be recycled through curbside recycling programs or specialised recycling facilities.

• Reusable packaging: Reusable packaging is designed to be used multiple times, reducing the need for single-use packaging.

Consider your product and packaging needs

When choosing eco-friendly packaging for your business, consider your product and packaging needs. If you sell food products, you may need moisture-resistant packaging that can keep food fresh. If you sell fragile items, you may need packaging that provides extra protection during shipping. Consider your specific needs when choosing the right packaging.

Eco-friendly packaging options from Foldabox

Natural Kraft

Our Natural kraft boxes are the perfect retail gift packaging solution for natural skincare, beauty products, and organic and speciality gourmet food gift hampers. It’s also ideal for linen, natural fibre clothing, and eco-conscious point-of-sale gift packaging.View our collection here.

Naked Grey

Naked Grey® Gift Boxes have a natural, slightly textured matt grey flecked finish and are the perfect retail product packaging solution looking for a contemporary alternative to Natural Kraft. The ideal packaging solution with an urban industrial vibe.View our collection here.

Recycled Ribbons

Our new collection of recycled ribbons are the perfect eco-conscious finishing touch to your gift packaging. Made from 100% recycled plastic bottles and available in various colours ranging from hot pink to gold and moss green. Search recycled in our search bar to see the collection of ribbons.

High-quality Natural Cotton Ribbon

Our high-qualitynatural cotton ribbon is Ideal to cut to your own length or wrap in a traditional gift-wrapping style.Read our previous blog to learn more about the different ways to tie your ribbons. It looks beautiful when used with the Natural Kraft and Naked Grey® Gift Boxes.

Natural Kraft Photo Frames

Natural Kraft Photo Frames are a unique accessory that complements our folding gift boxes by enabling you to add a photograph, printed product information, a company logo, or a promotional message to the outside or inside lid of the gift box.

Investigate credentials

Foldabox is committed to recycling and minimising our impact on the environment. Our focus is the 3 Rs: 1) Re-gift, 2) Re-use and 3) Re-purpose. Our boxes have a long cradle-to-grave lifespan because they are high quality, and the end recipient can and will keep them. Our boxes are supplied folded flat. This reduces their carbon footprint dramatically compared to an equivalent-sized rigid box because they take up a fraction of the storage space and minimal space with a courier to deliver them.

Here are our eco-friendly credentials

• Foldabox gift boxes are manufactured from primarily recycled materials that account for approximately 92% of the product by weight.
• The greyboard (the rigid board in sections under the paper to create the underlying structure of the box) is 100% recycled and FSC certified.
• The paper coverings using art paper (black, white, pale pink and pale blue) and special papers for all other box colours are FSC certified.
• Natural kraft paper used on our Natural Kraft Gift Boxes is 60% recycled. (Please note that it is not possible to use 100% recycled paper as it cracks on the joints.)
• The paper on white, black, pale pink and pale blue boxes has matt PP lamination. The paper on these boxes should ideally be removed before recycling.
• Magnets should also ideally be removed before recycling the gift box.
• Ribbons and decorative closures should be removed. They are recyclable but consider reusing or donating them before throwing them away.
• Boxes are REACH compliant.
• Our box factory has a SMETA 4-Pillar Audit.
• Our warehouse is ISO9001, ISO14001, ISO22301 and ISO/IEC27001 accredited.

By using eco-friendly packaging materials, we can help reduce waste and promote sustainable practices and also help to conserve resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote a healthier planet. In addition to the environmental benefits, eco-friendly packaging can also be beneficial for businesses. Consumers are increasingly aware of the impact of their purchasing decisions on the environment and are more likely to support companies that prioritise sustainability. By using eco-friendly packaging, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, attract environmentally-conscious customers, and differentiate themselves from competitors.

Nicole Hines