Sustainability at Healey Packaging
Our approach to
packaging sustainability.
The right material. A considered structure. A clear plan for what happens after use.
We help UK businesses compare board materials, reduce unnecessary packaging and consider recycling when specifying custom boxes. Each decision starts with the product and the protection it needs.
01Protect the product
02Question excess material
03Check the finished pack
Practical decisions
Start with what your
packaging needs to do.
A lighter box is not an improvement if it fails in transit. We consider material use alongside strength, print requirements and handling conditions.
Review the size and structure
Product dimensions, inserts and the distribution route inform the box design. Review empty space and unnecessary layers while retaining the protection the product needs.
Choose a suitable board
Compare board grades against product weight, stacking, moisture exposure and print quality. Recycled content and sourcing requirements belong in the specification.
Consider every addition
Review windows, coatings, laminates, inserts and closures. Their function and compatibility with the intended recycling route matter as much as the main board.
From specification to production: see our packaging process
Material selection
Different materials.
Different considerations.
Paperboard, corrugated board and kraft describe material options. Recycled content and certification describe other attributes; they are not interchangeable.
Scroll the table sideways to compare all three columns →
| Option | Where it may fit | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Paperboard cartons | Retail boxes, sleeves and product cartons. | Board grade, product weight, printing and any coatings or windows. |
| Corrugated board | Shipping boxes and protective structures. | Flute, strength, packed dimensions and expected handling conditions. |
| Kraft board | Boxes and sleeves with a brown paper appearance. | Fibre composition and finishes. A brown appearance alone does not establish recycled content or recyclability. |
| Recycled-content board | Projects where the available grade meets structural and print needs. | Recycled fibre percentage for the selected grade, supporting specification and product-contact suitability. |
| Paper-based inserts | Separating and holding products within a box. | Fit, cushioning, barriers and adhesives. Paper-based does not automatically mean the complete pack is plastic-free. |
A material description alone does not confirm how the completed packaging will be collected or processed after use.
Explore our materials guideClaims & documentation
Know what a claim
actually covers.
For a sourcing or environmental requirement, tell us what your project needs before quotation. Availability and supporting documentation depend on the selected material and supply chain.
Check the scope of a claim before including it on your packaging or in your own marketing.
Discuss a material requirementFSC certification
If FSC-certified packaging is required, confirm the eligible specification, relevant certificate holder, chain-of-custody requirements and permitted finished-product claim before artwork approval. Certification concerns sourcing; it does not by itself establish recyclability.
Understand FSC certification and licencesRecycled content
Ask for the fibre percentage and specification for the actual board grade. Where relevant, distinguish post-consumer content from other recovered fibre. Do not assume a percentage from the colour of the box.
Material and impact reductions
A reduction claim needs a defined comparison: the previous and revised specifications, a measurement and the same functional requirement. Less board by weight is not, on its own, a measured carbon saving.
After use
Recycling starts
with the whole pack.
Many paper and cardboard packs can use established recycling routes. The finished construction, its condition and local collection rules determine the appropriate advice.
Coatings & laminates
Confirm the specific coating or film and the route that can process it. “Matt”, “gloss” and “soft-touch” describe appearance or feel, not a recycling classification.
Windows & inserts
Identify separate materials, including foam, plastic windows and magnetic closures. Check whether components should be removed and how each should be disposed of.
Use & collection
Food residue, grease and the available collection service can affect acceptance. Follow the relevant council or commercial waste provider’s instructions.
A useful starting point
Bring your current pack.
Compare the details.
For an existing packaging project, a sample or specification helps make the discussion concrete. Compare alternatives against the same product and distribution requirements.
Explore our packaging projectsProject examples show packaging work; they are not automatically evidence of environmental savings.
Your packaging review checklist
- Product and routeDimensions, weight, fragility and delivery conditions.
- Current constructionBoard grade, pack weight, inserts, windows and finishes.
- Protection requirementsKnown damage issues, stacking and barrier needs.
- Sourcing and disposalRequired documentation and the intended end-of-life route.
- Commercial requirementsQuantity, artwork, budget and delivery location.
Questions, answered
Clearer packaging
decisions.
Start with the specification and the likely disposal route, then assess the claim.
Is recycled packaging always recyclable?
No. Recycled content describes what a material contains. Recyclability depends on the complete pack, including finishes and components, and on the collection and processing route available after use.
Can I request FSC-certified packaging?
Include the certification requirement in your enquiry. The eligible board, supply chain, documentation and permitted claim need to be confirmed for the project before production. Do not assume every packaging specification is certified.
Can a printed or laminated box be recycled?
Printing does not automatically prevent recycling, but the whole construction matters. Ask about the exact laminate, coating, window and insert materials, and check the applicable collection guidance. A finish name alone is not enough to determine recyclability.
Can paper packaging be described as plastic-free?
Only when the claim is supported for its stated scope. Review coatings, films, windows, adhesives and inserts as well as the board. Replacing one plastic component does not establish that the entire pack is plastic-free.
What changes for food packaging?
Direct or indirect food contact, grease, moisture, temperature and shelf life affect material selection. Confirm suitability for the intended use; recycled content or a paper-based construction alone does not establish food-contact suitability.
How can I compare a new design with my current box?
Record both specifications, including dimensions, pack weight and components, then assess protection under the intended conditions. Report only the improvements measured. A smaller box or lower material weight does not automatically substantiate a whole-life environmental claim.
Further guidance
Check the source behind the claim.
These references explain claim principles and certification requirements. Linking to them does not imply endorsement or certification of Healey Packaging.
Your next packaging project
Let’s review
your packaging specification.
Share your product details, current packaging and material priorities. We can discuss suitable structures, board options and the information needed for your project.