Every supplier wants to present its material as the sustainable choice. Recyclable, compostable, biodegradable and plastic-free all sound good on a specification sheet. However, the real test comes after the sale. Someone still has to decide what to do with the pack.
Most sustainable packaging advice skips that final step. This guide puts it first.
Good sustainable packaging uses less material and lower-impact inputs. It also cuts plastic where that makes sense. Crucially, the customer must have a clear disposal route. If that route fails, the claim on the specification sheet means very little.
Why this is a live commercial issue, not a nice-to-have
Defra’s provisional 2024 PackFlow figures put UK packaging waste at 12.7 million tonnes. They show a recycling rate of 64.1%. A newer producer-reported method gives 75.2% against a lower waste estimate. The methods differ, so you cannot compare the figures directly. Even so, both show that the UK still loses a large volume of packaging.
Some packs in that gap carried a sustainability claim. Yet customers still put them in general waste. They may not have understood the label, or the local system may not have accepted the material.
As a result, poor disposal advice creates brand risk as well as waste. Customers and buying teams now question environmental claims. The UK’s Green Claims Code also expects clear, accurate claims with evidence behind them. Get the pack right and it builds trust. In contrast, a vague claim can damage it. Plastic Packaging Tax adds another cost, so plastic content now affects the P&L too.
The mistake: chasing the greenest-sounding word
Marketing copy often mixes up “recyclable”, “compostable” and “biodegradable”. However, the terms describe different systems. Each one needs its own evidence and disposal route.
Three terms, three disposal routes
- Recyclable means a collection system can sort and process the material. Therefore, the claim only works where that system exists. Coatings, laminates, food residue and mixed materials may change what a recycler accepts.
- Industrially compostable means the complete pack can break down under controlled commercial conditions. In the UK, BS EN 13432 provides a key standard for packaging. It checks biodegradation, break-up during treatment, substance limits and compost quality.
- Home compostable is a separate claim. Home heaps run at lower and less steady temperatures. Therefore, BS EN 13432 alone does not prove home compostability. Instead, look for evidence against a home-composting scheme, such as TÜV Austria’s OK compost HOME, or a relevant standard such as EN 17427.
- Biodegradable means microorganisms can break down a material under certain conditions. Without a standard, timeframe and disposal route, the word says very little. BS EN 13432 covers industrial composting conditions. It does not prove that a pack will break down in soil, water or open air.
So don’t ask which material sounds greenest. Instead, ask which option the customer can dispose of correctly. In many UK settings, simple fibre packaging wins because people know how to handle it. Even then, check coatings, food residue and local collection rules.
Standards and logos: what should you actually ask for?
A standard and a certification mark do different jobs. A standard sets the test rules. Then an independent body checks a product against those rules. If the product passes, the body may license a mark for it.
Therefore, when a supplier calls packaging compostable or biodegradable, ask for:
- the exact standard or certification scheme;
- whether the claim is for industrial or home composting;
- the certificate number, certificate holder and expiry or validity details;
- proof that the certificate covers the finished pack, including inks, adhesives, labels, coatings and closures – not just the base resin or paper;
- the disposal route available to the intended customer; and
- the wording and logo the certification permits you to print on-pack.
Industrial and home certification are not interchangeable
For industrial composting, recognised evidence may include certification to BS EN 13432. TÜV Austria’s OK compost INDUSTRIAL is one example. For home composting, look for a scheme that clearly says HOME. An industrial mark is not enough.
A supplier may also mention the Soil Association. If so, ask what the organisation actually approved. Its organic standards may include packaging rules. However, that does not automatically prove industrial or home compostability. The evidence must match the exact claim.
Even then, certification answers only half the question. A certified industrial mailer still fails the disposal test if the local service rejects it. Approval proves performance under set conditions. It does not create a collection route.
Matching material to job, not to marketing
No single material wins every time. Instead, start with the product’s weight, fragility and barrier needs. Then consider the shipping distance and the disposal route.
| Material | Best for | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|
| Recycled cardboard | Cartons, sleeves and outers | Can struggle in wet or humid conditions; coatings may affect recyclability |
| Corrugated board | Transit boxes and ecommerce | Easy to oversize, which reduces the sustainability gain |
| Paper mailers | Lightweight, non-fragile goods | Limited protection; windows, liners and adhesives need checking |
| Moulded fibre | Inserts, trays and cushioning | May be bulkier than the plastic it replaces |
| Glass | Premium food, drink and cosmetics | Weight and breakage can increase transport impacts |
| Aluminium | Cans, trays and closures | Primary production is energy-intensive; recycled content matters |
| Mono-material plastic | Flexible packs and pouches where barriers are essential | Still depends on the exact polymer and the customer’s local collection system |
| Certified compostable material | Selected food-contaminated applications with a defined organics route | Industrial and home composting are different; certification and collection both need verifying |
Use the table as a filter, not a menu. First, remove any option that fails the disposal test for your customers. Then choose the best performer from the options that remain. For food applications, the specification may also need to include suitable food-grade papers or barrier materials.
Reducing plastic without creating a worse problem
Most businesses want to cut plastic. However, a rushed switch can cause damage, returns and more waste. The answer is not zero plastic overnight. Instead, make the changes in the right order.
First, cut what adds nothing. Oversized boxes, double wraps and decorative void fill often protect nothing. Removing them can deliver a quick win.
Next, simplify mixed formats. Several joined materials make recycling harder. In contrast, fewer parts often create a clearer disposal route.
Then redesign for shipping. Sometimes a smaller box beats a new material. It cuts empty space, transport weight and storage cost at the same time. Kendon’s cardboard box buyer’s guide explains the available formats and strength considerations.
Finally, keep any necessary barrier. A coating may prevent leaks, food waste or product damage. Remove it only if the replacement still works. After all, failed packaging is not sustainable.
For these reasons, minimalist packaging continues to grow. It offers more than a clean look. Fewer layers use less material and make the disposal message easier to explain.
The cost myth
Sustainable packaging does not always cost more. That idea often comes from comparing unit price alone. However, lighter packs can cut shipping costs. Right-sized packs may also reduce storage, fulfilment, damage and returns.
So don’t ask only for the cheapest pack. Ask which pack costs least across the whole process.
Making the switch without the drama
Successful businesses rarely replace a whole range at once. First, they review material use, plastic content and damage rates. Next, they check disposal routes and the evidence behind each claim. Then they fix the packs with the strongest business and environmental case.
A good supplier will also explain the trade-offs. Fibre may add bulk. A lighter pack may need a new design. In addition, a low-plastic format may change warehouse handling. If an off-the-shelf product cannot meet the required performance, branding and disposal criteria, a bespoke packaging solution may provide a better fit. Be cautious if a supplier talks only about benefits.
Where this actually plays out
For example, an ecommerce brand can right-size its boxes. That step cuts void fill and transport cost. A food producer can replace a hard-to-separate laminate with a locally collected mono-material pack. Meanwhile, a premium retailer can remove layers and let the simpler pack support its claim.
These changes do not chase a trend. Instead, they apply the same rule in three ways. Match the packaging to what happens after purchase, not to a pitch deck.
Ultimately, sustainable packaging is not the greenest word on the box. It is the pack your customer can deal with when it arrives.
Reviewing your current packaging formats? Contact Kendon Packaging to discuss your requirements material by material, standard by standard and not slogan by slogan.
FAQs
What is meant by sustainable packaging?
It uses less material and reduces harm across sourcing, production, transport and use. Crucially, it also gives the customer a workable disposal route.
What are examples of sustainable packaging?
Examples include right-sized cardboard cartons, paper mailers and moulded-fibre inserts. Refillable glass, aluminium and mono-material plastics may also work. However, the best choice depends on performance and local recovery systems.
What is the most sustainable packaging material?
There is no universal winner. Instead, compare material use, transport, product protection and local disposal. The product itself must guide the choice.
What does BS EN 13432 mean?
BS EN 13432 sets tests for packaging used in industrial composting. It checks biodegradation, break-up, substance limits and compost quality. However, it does not prove that a pack will break down at home, in soil, in water or as litter.
What is the difference between industrial and home compostable packaging?
Industrial sites control heat and moisture. Home compost heaps run at lower and less steady temperatures. Therefore, an industrial certificate does not support a home-composting claim. You need separate evidence.
How can I check whether compostable packaging is genuinely certified?
Ask for the scheme, certificate number and certificate holder. Also confirm that it covers the finished pack, including inks, labels, coatings and adhesives. Finally, check whether the mark says industrial or home. TÜV Austria offers separate OK compost schemes for both routes.
Is sustainable packaging recyclable or compostable?
It can be either, but the terms do not mean the same thing. Recyclable packs often suit mainstream UK systems. In contrast, compostable packs need the correct home or industrial route and clear instructions.
Why is sustainable packaging important?
It affects waste, compliance, trust and cost. In addition, vague claims can create greenwashing and reputation risks.
How can businesses switch to sustainable packaging?
First, review current formats and fix the highest-impact packs. Then test performance and disposal routes. Finally, check each claim and choose a supplier who explains the trade-offs.
Does sustainable packaging cost more?
Not necessarily. Unit price may rise. However, shipping, storage, fulfilment and damage costs may fall.
Related packaging guides
- 5 Ways Businesses Can Become More Eco-Friendly
- Cardboard Boxes: A Buyer’s Guide
- Packaging for Logistics: Essential Considerations
