Selecting the right sustainable packaging tape requires balancing environmental impact with your brand’s practical shipping needs. The most suitable eco-friendly packaging tape will align with your sustainability goals while ensuring your packages remain secure throughout the delivery timeline.

Packaging Tape, Its Environmental Impacts and Sustainable Alternatives

When shipping products to customers, packaging tape often becomes an overlooked contributor to environmental waste. Traditional plastic-based packaging tapes can take hundreds of years to break down and often contain adhesives with harmful chemicals. Many studies show that packaging materials account for nearly half of plastic pollution globally, with tapes being a significant component of this waste stream.

Today’s market offers several sustainable alternatives that can dramatically reduce your brand’s environmental footprint while maintaining package security.

Key Types of Sustainable Packaging Tapes

Reinforced Water-Activated Paper Tapes

Among the most environmentally responsible options are reinforced water-activated paper tape made from recycled and virgin kraft materials. These tapes feature fiberglass reinforcement in multiple directions, providing exceptional strength for package security. The water-activated adhesive creates a permanent bond with cardboard, becoming part of the packaging itself.

Some premium versions offer three-way reinforcement systems specifically designed for e-commerce shipping, where packages face multiple handling points. A leading electronics retailer working with Carewell adopted these reinforced water-activated tapes and reported a significant reduction in damaged shipments while eliminating plastic from their packaging process.

These tapes generally come in natural brown kraft or white paper options, allowing brands to maintain a consistent aesthetic with their packaging. The starch-based adhesives used in these products are environmentally friendly and enable the entire package, tape included, to be fully recycled without separation.

Biodegradable Recycled Paper Tapes

Fully recyclable paper tapes made from 100% recycled kraft materials offer an excellent option for brands prioritising circular economy principles. These tapes combine environmental benefits with practical functionality for light to medium-weight packaging applications.

The natural fibres in these tapes create strong seals on various carton types and sizes. When used properly, they eliminate the need for plastic-based sealing solutions entirely. A sustainability-centric fashion company partnering with Carewell implemented these recycled paper tapes as part of their plastic-free packaging initiative, enhancing their brand’s environmental credentials.

Pressure-Sensitive Kraft Paper Tapes

For brands seeking an easy transition from conventional tapes, pressure-sensitive kraft paper tapes offer a familiar application method with improved environmental benefits. These tapes feature specially formulated adhesives designed for strong seals on various carton types without requiring water activation.

The aggressive adhesive systems in these tapes provide secure closure even on recycled cardboard, which can sometimes be more challenging to seal effectively. Their standard hand-dispenser compatibility makes them particularly suitable for businesses with existing packaging processes that want to improve sustainability without significant operational changes.

Specialised BOPP Tapes with Enhanced Properties

For situations where paper-based solutions aren’t suitable, certain biaxially-oriented polypropylene (BOPP) tapes offer improved environmental credentials compared to standard plastic options. Premium versions feature specially formulated pressure-sensitive hot melt adhesive technology designed specifically for sealing recycled corrugate boxes, even in challenging temperature conditions as low as 2°C.

These tapes provide excellent processing performance whether applied manually or with automated equipment. Their superior adhesion properties, holding force, and tensile strength ensure consistent, reliable seals, particularly important for packages containing recycled content corrugate, which can sometimes be more difficult to secure.

While not as environmentally optimal as paper-based alternatives, these specialised BOPP tapes represent a step toward sustainability for applications where paper tapes might not provide adequate performance.

Reinforced Gummed Kraft Paper Tapes

For technology shipments and sensitive cargo requiring additional security, reinforced gummed kraft paper tapes offer an environmentally friendly solution with enhanced protective qualities. These tapes are designed specifically for medium-weight packaging that may face challenging shipping conditions.

A key benefit of these tapes is their full recyclability—after use, the entire packing box can be recycled with the tape still attached, streamlining the recycling process for end users. This makes them particularly suitable for brands shipping to environmentally conscious consumers who value simplified recycling. 

Essential Selection Criteria for Sustainable Packaging Tapes

When choosing the most appropriate sustainable packaging tape for your brand, consider these key factors:

Packaging Requirements

Assess your typical shipments carefully by evaluating weight and size of packages, transit conditions (temperature, humidity, handling), storage duration before delivery, and security requirements.

Heavier items may need reinforced sustainable options or multiple tape applications. A furniture retailer partnering with Carewell found that reinforced water-activated paper tape provided sufficient strength for their heavier items whilst remaining completely plastic-free.

Environmental Certifications

Look for credible third-party certifications that verify environmental claims and prevent greenwashing. These may include:

• ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems certification, which demonstrates a company’s commitment to environmental responsibility throughout their manufacturing processes
• ISO 9001:2015 This quality management certification ensures that the organisation consistently provides products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements

Application Methods

Consider how the tape will integrate with your existing packaging processes. Some sustainable tapes require specific dispensers or application techniques that may differ from conventional tapes. For instance, water-activated tapes need wetting equipment, while pressure-sensitive paper options work with standard hand dispensers.

When properly implemented, these new systems often improve efficiency alongside sustainability. Many businesses find that water-activated tape dispensers, though requiring initial investment, reduce overall tape usage and improve package security.

Brand Alignment

Select packaging tape that reflects your brand values through custom printing capabilities for brand messaging, aesthetics that complement your packaging, and consistency with other sustainable packaging elements.

Implementation Strategy for Sustainable Packaging Tapes

Transitioning to sustainable packaging tapes requires careful planning. Start by conducting trials with multiple sustainable options using your actual packaging before full implementation. This testing phase allows you to identify potential challenges and optimise performance.

Staff training ensures your team understands proper application techniques for new tape systems. Different sustainable tapes may require altered application methods for maximum effectiveness and efficiency.

Customer communication is equally important—highlight your sustainable choices in marketing materials to build brand value and educate consumers about proper disposal methods. Many consumers now actively seek brands making genuine sustainability efforts.

Cost Considerations

While sustainable packaging tapes sometimes carry higher upfront costs than conventional plastic options, consider the complete financial picture. Potential waste disposal savings, enhanced brand value, customer loyalty benefits, and bulk purchasing discounts often offset initial price differences.

A medium-sized online retailer working with Carewell calculated that their switch to reinforced paper packaging tape increased material costs by 15% but generated a 22% increase in positive customer feedback and improved retention rates.

Selecting the right sustainable packaging tape requires balancing environmental impact with your brand’s practical shipping needs. By carefully assessing your packaging requirements and choosing appropriate eco-friendly options—whether reinforced water-activated paper tapes, biodegradable recycled options, or specialised solutions for challenging applications—you can significantly reduce environmental impact whilst maintaining package security throughout the delivery phase.

Choose Carewell Group for the Most Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Carewell Group provides comprehensive logistics and packaging solutions that cater to your specific sustainability goals. Our experts can help you select the right packaging tapes and materials that align with both your environmental commitments and operational needs. Contact us today to discuss how we can help make your packaging more sustainable whilst ensuring your products arrive safely at their destination.