Choose Your Sustainable Packaging
EcoEnclose is the leader in sustainable packaging and we offer many eco-friendly packaging options.
It’s not surprising that the most common question we get is, “Which packaging is the most sustainable?”
Unfortunately, there is no easy response. Questions like “Plastic versus Paper” and “Recyclable versus Compostable” do not have clear answers. We suggest companies develop their unique sustainability vision to guide packaging decisions. Sustainability and Your Business offers step-by-step guidance on this process, and our Sustainable Packaging Resource Center is chock full of resources to help you learn more.
This page lists sustainable packaging characteristics and EcoEnclose products that align with each eco feature. Once you’re armed with your sustainable packaging framework, this resource helps you quickly identify packaging that align with your vision. Need more info on a specific packaging solution? Check out our Bill of Materials.
100% RECYCLED CONTENT
Utilizing as much recycled content as possible is core to our Sustainable Packaging Framework. Recycled content means lower carbon emissions, new resources weren't harvested, and that recycling markets are strengthened. Learn more about why recycled content is so important to us.
Recycled content can be post-consumer (material that has been used by a consumer or business) or post-industrial (scraps from the manufacturing process). We aim to use as much post-consumer waste as possible because it is more difficult to manufacture with and harder to find markets for.
MAILERS

Poly Mailers
Thin-film recyclable, tear strip for easy opening, second adhesive strip for reuse.100% recycled, 50% post-consumer waste.

Apparel Paper Mailers
Creasing for expandability and premium presentation. Ideal for shipping textiles.100% recycled, 97% post-consumer waste.

EcoX Paper Mailers
Water, tear, and puncture-resistant paperboard. Ideal for shipping textiles.100% recycled, 70% post-consumer waste.

Kraft Paper Mailers
Lightweight and affordable paper mailers. Ideal for shipping lightweight textiles. 100% recycled, 90% post-consumer waste.

Padded Paper Mailers
Upcycled newspaper between recycled Kraft paper. Ideal for shipping fragile items. 100% recycled, 20% post-consumer waste.

Rigid Mailers (SS)
Thick 28pt paperboard is ideal for shipping art prints, photos, and documents. 100% recycled, 90% post-consumer waste.

Rigid Mailers (TL)
Extra-thick 36 pt paperboard ensures your product does not bend in transit. 100% recycled, 90% post-consumer waste.

Reusable Fabric Mailers
Designed for multiple uses and recyclability at the end of their useful life. 100% recycled fabric with zipper and snap closures.
SHIPPING BOXES AND INTERNAL BOXES

Custom Shipping Boxes
Choose your style, size, strength, and branding to create an exceptional unboxing experience. 100% recycled, 95% post-consumer waste.

Retail Boxes
A reverse tuck closure and lightweight paperboard material ensure an easy assembly. 100% recycled, 90% post-consumer waste.

Jewelry Boxes
Protect delicate jewelry and secure small items with recycled jewelry packaging. 100% recycled, 90% post-consumer waste.
PROTECTIVE PACKAGING & VOID FILL

Tissue Paper
Certified sustainably sourced 10# paper protects against scuffing and dust. 100% recycled, 20% post-consumer waste.

Corrugated Bubble
Plastic-free alternative to bubble wrap® and foam peanuts. Custom sized to your specifications. 100% recycled, 95% post-consumer waste.

Packing Paper
Provides blocking and bracing support within a shipping box and can also be wrapped around products for light protection. 100% recycled.

Ornament Paper Shred
Shredded indented Kraft paper scrunches up for light cushioning and presentation. 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer waste.

Slivv Paper Transport Sleeve
Corrugated shock-absorbing paper sleeves ship flat and open to wrap around fragile items. 100% recycled, 100% post-consumer waste.

SpiroPack Eco
Spiral tissue paper void fill quickly creates sustainable volume. The continuous design makes fulfillment a breeze. Kraft version is 100% recycled.
WHOLESALE AND INNER PACKAGING

Poly Bags
Protect apparel and more from dust, dirt, moisture, and scratching. Available with and without suffocation warning. 100% recycled.

Kraft Bags
Curbside recyclable alternative to a clear poly bag. 30# Kraft paper bag with open top. 100% recycled, 90% post-consumer waste.

Kraft Bag & Seals
Curbside recyclable alternative to a clear poly bag. Innovative 30# Kraft paper with self-seal closure. 100% recycled, 60% post-consumer waste.

EcoBand Product Wrap
Curbside recyclable alternative to a clear poly bag. 80# Kraft paper keeps goods secure. 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer waste.
LABELS AND PACKAGING ACCESSORIES

Custom Stickers
100% post-consumer waste paper stickers are available on our unique Zero Waste liner that is 100% recycled and curbside recyclable.

Shipping Labels
100% post-consumer waste shipping labels are available on our unique Zero Waste liner that is 100% recycled and curbside recyclable.

Custom Notecards
Available in various card stock colors and weights, beautifully printed CMYK. Convey your eco-friendly messaging. 90 to 100% recycled.

Custom Hang Tags
Available in various card stock colors and weights. Beautifully printed CMYK. Perfect for retail tags, gift bags, and more. 90 to 100% recycled.

Custom Business Cards
Available in two sizes. Create personalized business cards as unique as your business. 100% recycled, 100% post-consumer waste.

Office Paper Supplies
Office paper, blank notecards, and envelopes. 100% post-consumer waste. Certified sustainably sourced paper.

Paper Shopping Bags
Flat bottom bags are easy to fill, and twisted paper handles are easy to carry. SQF certified for food safety. 100% recycled.
RECYCLABLE
"Recyclable" is also core to our Sustainable Packaging Framework. After "Reuse," Recycle is the next most optimal end of life scenario.
The term "recyclable" can mean Curbside Recyclable or Harder to Recycle. Curbside recyclable means that most Americans can put the item in their mixed recycling or blue bin. Harder to Recycle means that (as of today), companies and consumers must dispose of the items in a pre-sorted recycling stream. We prefer Curbside Recyclable over Harder to Recycle, because these items are far more likely to actually be recycled. We also recognize that recycled materials with a strong and consistent market are preferred over goods that are difficult for recyclers to sell.
MAILERS

Poly Mailers
Thin-film recyclable at store dropoff locations. 100% recycled, 50% post-consumer waste.

Bubble Poly Mailers
Thin-film recyclable at store dropoff locations. 50% recycled, 10% post-consumer waste.

Reusable Fabric Mailers
Send back to EcoEnclose for responsible recycling. 100% recycled fabric with zipper and snap closures.
SHIPPING BOXES AND INTERNAL BOXES
VOID FILL AND DECORATIVE PAPER

Tissue Paper
Curbside recyclable where accepted. Learn more. 100% recycled, 20% post-consumer waste.

Corrugated Bubble
Shredded corrugate is curbside recyclable. 100% recycled, 95% post-consumer waste.

Flexi-Hex Air Sleeve
Lightweight honeycomb sleeves in Kraft paper are curbside recyclable. 76% recycled.

Slivv Paper Transport Sleeve
Corrugated paper sleeves are curbside recyclable. 100% recycled, 100% post-consumer waste.
WHOLESALE AND INNER PACKAGING

Vela Glassine Paper Bags
Glassine paper is curbside recyclable. Certified sustainably sourced paper virgin paper.
CARTON SEALING TAPE, SHIPPING LABELS, AND STICKERS
When it comes to tape, labels, stickers, and anything else you adhere to a package, we should avoid the blanket term "recyclable" because the recyclability of these items depends on where they are being affixed. Recyclers can't recycle the package if a shipping label is used on a non-recyclable mailer (such as a paper exterior, bubble interior mailer). If used on a corrugated shipping box, recyclers can recycle the entire package.
Our paper-based tapes, labels, and stickers all feature "recycle compatible adhesive," meaning that if they are applied to a paper-based package, recyclers can safely recycle the entire package and the adhesive.

Custom Stickers
Paper packages with these stickers are curbside recycled. Zero Waste liners are curbside recyclable.

Shipping Labels
Paper packages with these labels are curbside recycled. Zero Waste liners are curbside recyclable.

Cello Tape
Tape itself is not recyclable, but the tape does not inhibit the shipping box from being recycled.

Kraft Flatback Tape
Tape itself is not recyclable, but the tape does not inhibit the shipping box from being recycled.
PACKAGING ACCESSORIES

Custom Notecards
Cardstock paper is curbside recyclable. Must be at least 2" x 2". 90 to 100% recycled.

Custom Hang Tags
Cardstock paper is curbside recyclable. Must be at least 2" x 2". 90 to 100% recycled.

Custom Business Cards
Cardstock paper is curbside recyclable. Must be at least 2" x 2". 100% post-consumer waste.
COMPOSTABLE, NATURALLY BIODEGRADABLE
MAILERS

Apparel Paper Mailers
Remove the plastic tear strip and adhesive strip before composting. 100% recycled, 97% post-consumer waste.

EcoX Paper Mailers
Remove the plastic tear strip and adhesive strip before composting. 100% recycled, 70% post-consumer waste.

Kraft Paper Mailers
Remove the plastic tear strip and adhesive strip before composting. 100% recycled, 90% post-consumer waste.

Padded Paper Mailers
Remove the plastic tear strip and adhesive strip before composting. 100% recycled, 20% post-consumer waste.

Rigid Mailers (SS)
Remove the plastic tear strip and adhesive strip before composting. 100% recycled, 90% post-consumer waste.

Rigid Mailers (TL)
No plastic tear strip or adhesive strip to remove before composting. 100% recycled, 90% post-consumer waste.
SHIPPING BOXES AND INTERNAL BOXES

Custom Shipping Boxes
Remove adhesives and labels before composting. 100% recycled, 95% post-consumer waste.

Jewelry Boxes
Remove adhesives and labels before composting. 100% recycled, 90% post-consumer waste.
WHOLESALE AND INNER PACKAGING

Kraft Bags
Remove adhesives and labels before composting. 30# Kraft paper bag with open top. 100% recycled, 90% post-consumer waste.

Kraft Bag & Seals
Remove adhesives and labels before composting. Innovative 30# Kraft paper with self-seal closure. 100% recycled, 60% post-consumer waste.

Vela Glassine Paper Bags
Remove adhesives and labels before composting. Certified sustainably sourced virgin paper.

EcoBand Product Wrap
Remove adhesives and labels before composting. 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer waste.
PROTECTIVE PACKAGING AND VOID FILL

Corrugated Bubble
Remove adhesives and labels before composting. 100% recycled, 95% post-consumer waste.

Ornament Paper Shred
Remove adhesives and labels before composting. 100% recycled, 30% post-consumer waste.

GreenWrap
Remove adhesives and labels before composting. Certified, virgin, die-cut honeycomb paper.

Slivv Paper Transport Sleeve
Remove adhesives and labels before composting. 100% recycled, 100% post-consumer waste.
CARTON SEALING TAPE, STICKERS, AND SHIPPING LABELS

Custom Stickers
Uncoated paper stickers can be composted when affixed to a compostable package. Ideally, the sticker is removed prior to composting due to the adhesive.

Shipping Labels
Uncoated paper labels can be composted when affixed to a compostable package. Ideally, the label is removed prior to composting due to the adhesive.

Water-Activated Tape
Paper facestock and startch-based adhesive means our non-reinforced water-activated tape can be composted when affixed to a compostable package.
PACKAGING ACCESSORIES

Custom Business Cards
Cardstock paper is naturally biodegradable and compostable. 100% post-consumer waste.

Office Paper Supplies
Standard paper is naturally biodegradable and compostable. 100% post-consumer waste.
MADE WITH RENEWABLE MATERIALS, PLASTIC-FREE
We know so many companies are searching for plastic-free packaging alternatives. This section includes our packaging options that are made with renewable materials - the majority of which are made with paper.
It is important to note that most of these are not "polymer-free." Their adhesives include polymers and many of the mailers have adhesive strip release liners with silicone coating. We are often asked if we carry a bio-based poly mailer. Currently, we do not as we have been unable to yet find or develop a poly mailer made with 100% renewable materials (compostable poly mailers available today include PBAT, a petroleum-based binding agent).
MAILERS
SHIPPING BOXES AND INTERNAL BOXES
WHOLESALE AND INNER PACKAGING
Protective Packaging and Void Fill

Packing Paper
Kraft, Newsprint, and Wheat options are all made with paper or natural fiber.100% recycled.

Slivv Paper Transport Sleeve
Sleeves are made with corrugated paper. 100% recycled, 100% post-consumer waste.
CARTON SEALING TAPE, STICKERS, AND SHIPPING LABELS
PACKAGING ACCESSORIES
PRINTING INKS
Though inks make up a tiny percentage of the weight of a package, printing inks have, historically, had a major negative impact on the environment. EcoEnclose works with eco-friendly inks, and is thrilled to offer Black Algae Ink - the world's most sustainable ink - as a printing option for all of our paper-based packaging.
Black Algae Ink: The pigment in this ink is made with algae cells! EcoEnclose's paper mailers feature branding and sustainability information on the bottom foldover, printed with black algae ink. And, when you custom brand your shipping boxes, paper mailers, notecards and more, you can choose to print with black algae ink. Learn more and start making algae part of your sustainable packaging strategy!
Water-Based Inks: For most printing inks, 80% of the volume is the "carrier." This is the part that carries pigments onto the substrate and then evaporates, leaving the colorant behind. Water-based inks means that the carrier is water, so most of what is evaporating into the air is harmless (and emits low or no VOCs). EcoEnclose utilizes water-based inks in all of its post-production and most of its inline printing.
Soy-Based Inks: These inks utilize a carrier made with soy. We use soy-based inks for any post-production and inline production that uses offset printing technology.
MANUFACTURED IN NORTH AMERICA
The vast majority of our packaging is manufactured in North America.
We have deliberately sought domestic manufacturing partners for several reasons. It has allowed us to visit and audit our sites, and ensure that working and environmental conditions align with our values. This proximity has made it easier to iterate and improve the functionality and sustainability of our products. Additionally, because many of our products are bulky to ship, working with US and Canada-based suppliers cuts down on the carbon footprint of transportation. Learn more about why we prioritize domestic manufacturing on our blog.
- Glassine Bags: Manufactured in China
- Cello Tape: Manufactured in Spain
- Hemp Twine: Manufactured in Hungary
- Flexi-Hex Air Sleeves: Manufactured in China
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
We know that many companies aim to minimize their carbon footprint as their primary sustainability goal. This is an excellent approach to a sustainability vision as it is quantifiable and concrete.
- Calculate your carbon savings when switching to recycled content
- Plastic versus Paper versus Bioplastic: Which has a higher carbon footprint
Sustainable Packaging: Product Summary
Product | Recycled Content | Recyclable | Compostable | Renewable | Made in N. America |
100% | Thin Film | No | No | Yes | |
100% 100% | Curbside Curbside | Yes Yes | Yes Yes | Yes Yes | |
100% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
50.27% | Thin Film | No | No | Yes | |
100% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% | Thin Film | No | No | Yes | |
0% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | No | |
100% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
50% non reinforced; 0% reinforced | Compatible | Yes* (non reinforced only) | Yes* (fiberglass in reinforced) | Yes | |
0% | No | Yes (but not certified) | Yes | No | |
0% | Compatible | Yes (but not certified) | Yes | Yes | |
100% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
0% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% | Curbside* (see local guidance) | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% in facestock* (direct thermal 0% in facestock), 100% in liner | Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% in facestock, 100% in liner | Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% | Curbside | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
100% | Curbside | Yes* (check local guidance for industrial composting) | Yes | No |