As businesses look to improve their environmental practices, the spotlight is often on reducing plastic use and minimizing waste. An area where companies can make an immediate difference is in the materials they use for everyday operations. Something as simple as choosing sustainable packaging tape can contribute to significant plastic reduction.
Packaging is a vital part of nearly every business, whether you’re shipping goods or storing products. While primary packaging and recycled corrugate have received much attention, it’s time to shift focus to the tapes used to seal these materials.
Is Packaging Tape Recyclable?
A common question often asked is: is packaging tape recyclable? Understanding the recyclability of packaging materials, including tape, is essential for making informed choices that align with sustainable practices. While most packaging tape is non-recyclable, there are options out there that are.
Choosing a paper based – curbside recyclable tape promotes a circular economy by adding fiber to the corrugated recycling process, keeping materials in use longer and reducing waste.
From Waste to Resources
Customers, employees and stakeholders now demand more from businesses when it comes to environmental responsibility; sustainable materials have started to become an expectation. It’s no longer just about choosing sustainable products, but about rethinking entire systems, packaging included.
Non-recyclable tapes are commonly used in a variety of applications, offering strength, adhesion and durability. However, a high-quality, recyclable tape can make a significant difference in minimizing waste and close the loop on recyclability while maintaining strength and performance.
Let’s look at the true environmental impact of eco-friendly tape in both production and disposal.
The Lifecycle of Curbside Recyclable Tapes
The Production Process
- Materials Matter: Recyclable tapes typically use natural materials like kraft paper, which can break down more easily during recycling than plastic-based tapes.
- FSC® Certified Paper: Utilizes FSC® Certified Kraft Paper (FSC-C154304).
End-of-Life Disposal
- Easy Recycling Process: Curbside recyclable tapes can be disposed of along with the box, eliminating the need for removal before recycling.
- No Recycling Contamination: Because the tape itself is curbside recyclable, it won’t interfere with the recycling of the box or other materials. This reduces contamination, increasing the success rate of recycled materials and minimizing waste.
- Less Waste in Landfills: Recyclable tapes help reduce the overall amount of waste sent to landfills and paper-based curbside recyclable tapes can break down quickly for use in new materials.
- Decreased Environmental Footprint: Recyclable tape supports a system where materials can be reused, reducing the need for virgin resources and promoting circularity.
Simplifying Sustainability
Businesses may worry that introducing eco-friendly alternatives into their operations will disrupt existing workflows and increase costs. Fortunately, adopting recyclable packaging tape is an easy way to reduce waste without bumping into this issue.
In fact, products like Shurtape’s Curbside Series Packaging Tapes offer a straightforward, sustainable solution that are drop-in ready for existing packaging lines. Designed to perform in similar applications as traditional tapes, CR 100 and CR 400 help businesses securely seal packages while advancing environmental goals.
Simple Choices with a Big Impact
Choosing recyclable materials is an easy yet impactful way to reduce your company’s environmental footprint. For more details about this recyclable tape, check out, Shurtape Curbside™ Series Packaging Tapes.
