Environment | Recyclable & FSC Packaging

Paper-based packaging already has the best recycling story of any mainstream material — corrugated is recovered at over 85% in the 24 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Our job is to avoid the decisions that take a box out of that stream, and to tell you plainly when a finish you have asked for does exactly that.

Four things that actually reduce impact

1. Right-size the box

The single biggest lever, and the only one that also saves you money. Less board, no void fill, and lower dimensional weight on every parcel. See our guide to right-sizing and dimensional weight.

2. Keep it in the paper stream

Water-based varnish instead of plastic film, paper fitments instead of foam, and paper tape. An uncoated box goes straight into kerbside recycling; a laminated one usually does not.

3. Specify the fibre

Recycled kraft, high post-consumer recycled board, or FSC chain-of-custody certified virgin fibre where strength or food contact requires it. All available on request across our range.

4. Don't over-engineer

A double-wall box protecting a 2 kg parcel is wasted material. We specify board grade against your real packed weight and route, with a sensible margin — not a default heavy grade.

Material choices and what they mean

Material	Recycled content	Kerbside recyclable	Notes
Corrugated board	Typically 70–100% recovered fibre	Yes, in all 24 markets we serve	The most-recovered packaging material in all 24 of our markets, consistently above 85%.
Recycled kraft	Up to 100% post-consumer	Yes	Unbleached, so it avoids the chemistry and energy of the bleaching stage entirely.
FSC-certified virgin board	Chain-of-custody certified fibre	Yes	Used where strength or food contact rules out recycled content.
Greyboard (rigid boxes)	Largely recycled fibre core	Paper wrap yes; magnets and foil must be removed	Ask for a ribbon or tuck closure instead of magnets if full recyclability matters.
Water-based coatings	n/a	Yes — repulpable	Our default alternative to plastic film lamination.
Film lamination	n/a	No — breaks the paper stream	We will tell you when a finish costs you recyclability rather than selling it as eco-friendly.

PFAS-free food packaging

Fluorochemical (PFAS) grease-proofing is being restricted across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Every food-contact format we produce — bakery, pizza, cake, cookie and gable boxes — is quoted PFAS-free as standard, using clay coatings, water-based dispersion barriers or bio-based alternatives matched to what actually goes in the box. The detail is in our guide to PFAS-free food packaging rules.

What we will not claim

We do not describe a laminated, foiled, magnet-closed box as recyclable, and we do not use "eco" as a decoration on a specification that has not changed. If sustainability is a published commitment for your brand, tell us at quotation stage and we will build a specification you can actually stand behind — including telling you where it costs more or performs differently.

Manufacturing and delivery

We are based in Manchester, United Kingdom and manufacture for 24 markets. Consolidating production runs and using scheduled release — producing a full run once and drawing it down over an agreed calendar — reduces both freight movements and the warehouse space your packaging needs. It is available on any order large enough to benefit; see wholesale custom boxes.

Frequently asked questions

Are your boxes recyclable?

Uncoated and water-based-varnished corrugated, kraft and paperboard boxes are kerbside recyclable across the 24 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Plastic film lamination, foil stamping and magnets reduce or remove recyclability, and we will always tell you which of your chosen finishes do that before you order.

Can I order FSC-certified packaging?

Yes. FSC chain-of-custody certified board is available on every corrugated and folding carton format we produce. Tell us at quotation stage, because certified stock has its own supply lead time and we need to record the certification on your order.

Do you offer plastic-free packaging?

Yes. A plastic-free specification means uncoated or water-based-varnished board, paper-based void fill and fitments instead of foam, no window film (or a compostable PLA window), and paper tape. We can quote any of our formats this way.

Is recycled board weaker than virgin board?

At the same grade, recycled corrugated performs very close to virgin for most parcel applications — the specification that matters is the Edge Crush Test rating, not the fibre source. For very heavy loads, long transit or damp environments, virgin fibre holds its strength better and we will say so.

What is the most sustainable thing I can do with my packaging?

Right-size the box. Cutting empty space removes board, removes void fill, and cuts the dimensional weight your carrier bills and burns fuel on. It reliably beats any material swap, and it saves money at the same time.

Are your food boxes PFAS-free?

Yes. Every food-contact format we produce is quoted with a PFAS-free grease barrier as standard, in line with tightening restrictions across all 24 markets we serve.

Want a recyclable or FSC-certified specification quoted? Email sales@boxes-custom.com or call +44 7362 032578 and tell us which claims you need to be able to make.