For many businesses, sustainability is no longer a buzzword or marketing must-have word anymore. For many clients and partners, purchasing from sustainable sources is a fundamental part of operating effectively. Environmental concerns are rising, and customers and end users are looking for more transparency. Regulations are getting tougher, and companies are being held accountable for their entire supply chain, with packaging often the first place people look. What makes packaging sustainable? And how can you be confident you're making the right choices?
Working through these decisions can feel like a maze, but that's where packaging knowhow comes in. We help businesses every single day, and we're backed by solid certifications and industry-recognised accreditations, proven product performance, and a deep understanding of supply chain issues to enhance your packaging processes.
What Truly Makes Packaging Sustainable?
You've probably seen a lot of packaging claiming to be eco-friendly, but not all of it stands up to scrutiny. Truly sustainable packaging is designed with the environment in mind from the get-go and hits three crucial points:
1. Responsible Materials
It all starts with where your materials come from. Sustainable packaging should use materials that are recycled, recyclable, renewable, or responsibly sourced. Think components like recycled paper, FSC®-certified cardboard (that means it comes from forests managed in a responsible way, good for the environment, people, and the economy!), and even biodegradable films.
2. Lifecycle Thinking
A truly sustainable product isn't just about what it's made of; it's about its overall environmental impact throughout its entire journey. That means looking at everything from how raw materials are extracted and produced, to transportation, how it's used, and finally, how it's disposed of. We apply this "lifecycle thinking" to all our product selections, always aiming to reduce emissions, water use, and energy consumption every step of the way.
3. End-of-Life Performance
The packaging needs to be easy to recycle, compost, or otherwise dispose of responsibly. It's a sad truth that many "recyclable" materials still end up in landfills because of poor infrastructure or overly complex designs. Our Sustainability Certified range focuses on real-world results, prioritising materials and formats that are simple to separate, process, and get back into a circular system.
Certifications You Can Trust
Environmental claims need more than just good marketing; they need verification. That's why our commitment to sustainability is backed by respected third-party certifications that prove measurable progress:
- ISO 14001
This means we have an Environmental Management System in place to consistently reduce waste, emissions, and resource consumption. - FSC® Chain of Custody
This guarantees that our wood-based materials are sourced responsibly throughout the entire supply chain. - Carbon Neutral Britain Certification
Acknowledges our dedication to offsetting carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. - BRCGS Storage & Distribution
Confirms we meet rigorous environmental and safety standards in our warehousing and logistics.
Each of these certifications reflects our commitment to accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement, values we bring to every partnership.
The Allpack Advantage
Choosing sustainable doesn't mean you have to sacrifice performance, protection, or even price. We offer packaging solutions that are cost-effective, efficient, and designed for real-world commercial use. Our Sustainability Certified range includes innovative options like:
- Recyclable air cushions and void fill
- Eco-friendly mailing bags
- Versatile paper tape
- Sustainable pallet protection
- 30% recycled stretch films
Every single product in this range is carefully chosen based on strict criteria, including material source, lifecycle emissions, and compatibility with common UK waste systems.
Our Final Thoughts
Ultimately, sustainable packaging is about choosing solutions that deliver a real, measurable impact. When you work with us, you're not just checking a box. You're partnering with a team that truly understands the regulations, meticulously audits the details, and delivers certified products that meet the needs of today's environmentally conscious businesses.
Ready to explore your options? Check out our Sustainability Certified range or simply get in touch with our team. We're here to help you build a stronger, more sustainable supply chain, one box, bag, and pallet at a time.