Paper Tape vs Plastic Tape: Why Make the Switch?

A small change to your packaging can make it easier to recycle and help reduce your reliance on plastic.

When businesses think about making their packaging more sustainable, the cardboard box itself is often the first thing they consider.

But what about the tape holding it together?

Traditional parcel tape is commonly made from plastic, such as polypropylene. While it does a great job of securely sealing cardboard boxes, it introduces another material into an otherwise predominantly paper-based package.

Paper packaging tape offers a simple alternative.

By switching from plastic tape to paper tape, businesses can reduce the amount of plastic used in their packaging and make it easier for customers to recycle their cardboard boxes.

What is paper packaging tape?

Paper packaging tape works in much the same way as conventional parcel tape. Simply apply it across the seams of your cardboard box to create a secure seal ready for storage or dispatch.

The important difference is the backing material.

Rather than polypropylene plastic, paper packaging tape uses a paper backing, making it a natural partner for corrugated cardboard packaging.

At ASC Direct, our 48mm x 50m Paper Packaging Tape uses a hot melt adhesive and provides a practical alternative for businesses looking to move away from conventional plastic packaging tape.

Why choose paper tape instead of plastic tape?

Plastic packaging tape remains popular because it's strong, convenient and inexpensive.

However, if you're already using recyclable cardboard boxes, paper tape can help you create a packaging solution that relies less on plastic.

Here are some of the reasons businesses are making the switch.

1. Reduce plastic in your packaging

Perhaps the most obvious benefit is also one of the most important.

Switching to paper tape reduces the amount of plastic used in every parcel you send.

One strip of plastic tape might not seem significant, but consider how many boxes your business sends over a month or a year.

For a business dispatching hundreds or thousands of parcels, relatively small changes to individual packages can quickly add up.

If reducing single-use plastic is part of your sustainability goals, changing your packaging tape is one of the simplest places to start.

2. Make your cardboard boxes easier to recycle

One of the biggest advantages of paper tape is what happens after your customer receives their order.

A cardboard box sealed with plastic tape combines two different types of material. Customers may therefore need to remove the plastic tape before putting the cardboard into their recycling.

Paper packaging tape can generally be recycled alongside the cardboard, making disposal simpler for the person receiving your parcel.

That's important because sustainable packaging shouldn't just be about the materials you use.

It should also be easy for your customer to do the right thing with the packaging afterwards.

3. Keep paper and cardboard packaging together

Think about a typical ecommerce parcel.

You might already be using:

• A corrugated cardboard box
• Paper void fill
• Honeycomb paper protection such as HexcelWrap®
• Paper documentation

If you then seal everything with plastic tape, you've introduced plastic into an otherwise predominantly paper-based packaging solution.

Switching to paper tape helps keep your packaging materials more consistent.

Right-sized cardboard box + paper protection + paper tape = a simpler paper-based packaging solution.

4. Give your parcels a natural, professional appearance

Packaging isn't only there to protect your products. It's also part of the customer's experience with your business.

Paper tape works particularly well with natural brown corrugated cardboard, creating a clean and consistent appearance.

For ecommerce businesses, independent retailers and brands looking to communicate a more environmentally conscious approach, that can be an added benefit.

Your customer can see that thought has gone into the packaging before they've even opened the box.

5. It's an easy change to make

Improving the sustainability of your packaging doesn't necessarily require redesigning everything.

Sometimes the easiest changes are the best place to start.

If you already use conventional packaging tape, switching to paper tape doesn't fundamentally change how you pack your products.

You still need to close and secure the box. You're simply choosing a different material to do it.

That makes paper tape a practical first step for businesses wanting to reduce plastic without making major changes to their packing operation.

Is paper tape strong enough for cardboard boxes?

Paper tape is designed specifically for packaging applications and can provide a strong seal for everyday cardboard boxes.

ASC Direct's paper packaging tape uses a hot melt adhesive to provide reliable adhesion when sealing parcels.

As with any packaging material, it's important to choose a tape appropriate for the weight of the package, the type of cardboard and the conditions the parcel will encounter during storage and transportation.

For many everyday ecommerce and business packaging applications, paper tape provides a practical alternative to conventional plastic parcel tape.

Is paper tape recyclable?

One of the main reasons for choosing paper tape is that most paper packaging tapes can be recycled along with corrugated cardboard.

This can make recycling simpler because the recipient doesn't generally need to separate plastic tape from the cardboard before recycling the box.

Always follow the guidance provided by your local recycling authority, as recycling processes and accepted materials can vary.

Is paper tape better for the environment than plastic tape?

There isn't a single packaging material that has zero environmental impact.

However, switching from plastic packaging tape to a paper-based alternative can help businesses reduce their reliance on plastic and create packaging that's simpler for customers to recycle.

The biggest gains often come from looking at the whole package, rather than one component in isolation.

That means:

• Choosing a box that's appropriately sized for your product
• Avoiding unnecessary packaging
• Using recyclable materials where practical
• Choosing paper-based protective packaging where suitable
• Using paper tape instead of plastic tape

Together, these relatively straightforward decisions can make a significant difference to the amount and type of packaging your business uses.

Small change. Less plastic.

If your products are already being sent in cardboard boxes, switching the tape you use to seal them is one of the easiest packaging changes you can make.

There's no need to change your box.

There's no need to change your packing process significantly.

Simply swap plastic packaging tape for paper packaging tape.

Combine it with a right-sized ASC Direct cardboard box and paper-based protective packaging, and you're another step closer to reducing unnecessary plastic from every parcel you send.

Ready to make the switch?

Discover our 48mm x 50m Paper Packaging Tape, designed to provide a practical paper-based alternative to conventional plastic parcel tape.

SHOP PAPER PACKAGING TAPE →

James Palfrey-Smith is the General Manager at ASC Direct with extensive experience in both operations and sales. James is passionate about solving packaging problems, delivering fast customer support, and building lasting relationships. Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and skiing. A fan of real ale and business podcasts, he continuously seeks personal and professional growth. 

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