Sustainable packaging is no longer a niche concern — it’s an expectation from customers, a requirement from retail and distribution partners, and an increasingly important factor in UK regulatory compliance. APS can help your business reduce its environmental footprint without sacrificing packaging performance, supplying a growing range of eco-friendly alternatives alongside our core range.
The most practical starting point for many businesses is switching to packaging made with recycled content, or moving to formats that can be recycled in a single stream alongside standard cardboard. Corrugated cardboard boxes are produced from recycled fibres and are themselves fully recyclable. Paper-based void fill and kraft paper tape replace plastic alternatives without compromising performance in most standard applications. Many of our pallet wrap and polythene products are available in variants made with a proportion of recycled content, supporting compliance with the UK Plastic Packaging Tax — which applies to packaging containing less than 30% recycled plastic.
Paper and cardboard-based formats are increasingly capable of replacing traditional plastic packaging without sacrificing protection. Honeycomb paper void fill replaces bubble wrap in many e-commerce and retail applications; paper mailer bags and reinforced envelopes replace plastic poly mailers; and paper strapping is available as a lightweight alternative to PP strapping for less demanding applications.
For businesses where end-user recyclability is a concern — particularly in food service, gifting, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce — biodegradable and compostable alternatives are available. These include biodegradable loose-fill packing peanuts made from natural starch, compostable mailing bags certified to EN 13432 composting standards, and plant-based film materials for specialist applications.
Sustainable packaging works best as a whole-system exercise — looking at right-sizing boxes to reduce void fill, substituting materials where performance is equivalent, and eliminating unnecessary packaging layers. APS can support this with practical advice, product samples, and an honest assessment of where switching makes commercial and environmental sense. Call us on 01237 423772 to start the conversation.
Email our Sales Team : sales@apspackaging.co.uk
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The Plastic Packaging Tax applies to plastic packaging manufactured in or imported into the UK that contains less than 30% recycled plastic content. Businesses manufacturing or importing more than 10 tonnes of plastic packaging per year are within scope. APS can help identify recycled-content alternatives.
In some cases there is a small price premium, but the gap continues to narrow as demand grows. In certain applications — such as right-sized cardboard boxes replacing oversized plastic mailers — switching to sustainable formats can actually lower total packaging cost.
For many businesses, yes. A combination of corrugated cardboard boxes, paper tape, and paper void fill creates a pack that can be recycled in a single stream alongside standard cardboard, with no material separation required.
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification confirms that paper products originate from responsibly managed forests. We stock FSC-certified kraft paper and can source additional certified products on request — speak to our team for details.
Kraft, honeycomb and shredded paper void fill.
Single, double and triple wall corrugated boxes.
PP, PVC, kraft, and specialist packaging tapes.
Heat shrink and polythene film in all gauges.
Email our Sales Team : sales@apspackaging.co.uk
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