3 Best Sustainable Packaging Tapes: Recyclable Options Compared

What Are the Best Sustainable Packaging Tapes?

The best sustainable packaging tapes are those made from natural, renewable materials (primarily paper) with adhesives that do not prevent the tape from being recycled or composted alongside the packaging it seals. 

The three standout options on the market right now are water-activated gummed paper tape, self-adhesive kraft paper tape, and PayPal-branded white kraft paper tape. Each one is free from polypropylene and is a direct replacement for conventional plastic tape. 

The key differences come down to activation method, bond strength, and suitability for different packaging environments. Here’s how they compare.

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Top 3 Sustainable Packaging Tapes

1. Xtegra Water Activated Tape (Gummed Paper Tape)

Water-activated tape needs water for its starch-based adhesive to work.

Water-activated tape, commonly called gummed paper tape, is the gold standard for high-volume, high-security sustainable packaging. The Xtegra range, stocked by Globe Packaging, is available in both standard and reinforced versions and is compatible with dedicated tape dispensers and automated machinery.

Unlike self-adhesive tapes, gummed paper tape requires water to activate its starch-based adhesive. Once applied, it chemically bonds with the cardboard fibres. This creates a seal that is genuinely tamper-evident: the tape cannot be removed without visibly tearing, which is why major ecommerce operations rely on it.

The reinforced version contains an embedded fibre mesh within the paper structure, significantly increasing tear resistance and making it suitable for heavier parcels or more demanding logistics environments. If you are shipping bulky or high-value goods, this is worth the marginal additional cost.

What Makes It Sustainable

Xtegra gummed tape is made from paper and uses a water-based starch adhesive. This means that the entire product, tape and adhesive included, is recyclable without separation. It does not contaminate cardboard recycling streams the way plastic tape does, which is a critical advantage for businesses trying to meet sustainability targets.

Price

Pricing depends on the version chosen (standard or reinforced) and on dispensing machinery requirements. At Globe Packaging, gummed paper tape starts at £22.95  for 6 reinforced rolls and £24.95 for 6 plain rolls. For those who want to buy in bulk, 60 rolls of reinforced gummed paper tape cost £760.00. 

2. Kraft Paper Tape

Kraft paper tape works like conventional packaging tape.

PacPlan kraft paper tape is the self-adhesive, recyclable tape that most businesses find easiest to switch to. All you need to do is peel and stick it, as it has a strong enough bond to replace plastic tape on standard parcel weights. 

Made from 60gsm paper with a rubber-based adhesive, this tape delivers serious grip without any of the environmental baggage of polypropylene alternatives. It is particularly well suited to ecommerce sellers, small fulfillment operations, and anyone sealing standard cardboard boxes for courier dispatch.

What Makes It Sustainable

Kraft paper tape is 100% recyclable and biodegradable. The 60gsm paper construction breaks down naturally, and sealed boxes can go straight into cardboard recycling without the tape needing to be removed first. That is a significant operational advantage for recipients and recycling facilities alike.

Beyond recyclability, kraft tape also has strong resistance to moisture and humidity, which is a practical sustainability benefit that means fewer failed seals, less damaged goods, and less packaging waste overall. Fewer replacement shipments means a lower carbon footprint per order.

Price

PacPlan kraft paper tape is available through Globe Packaging, starting at £12.95 for 6 rolls and up to £580.00 for 360 rolls. As a self-adhesive product requiring no dispensing machinery, it carries a lower total cost of adoption compared to water-activated alternatives, making it the go-to choice for smaller operations making their first switch away from plastic tape.

3. PayPal White Kraft Paper Tape

PayPal white kraft paper tape is a low-cost option, available for only £2.00 per roll.

For businesses where presentation matters (e.g., subscription boxes, branded ecommerce, gift packaging), the PayPal white kraft paper tape offers the same eco credentials as standard kraft tape with a cleaner, more polished look. This is a notable product in the market because it is a competitively priced, eco-friendly self-adhesive option that is well-suited to small and medium-sized businesses. 

The tape measures 50mm wide and 25M per roll, which is a standard size compatible with most hand-held tape dispensers. Because it is self-adhesive, it works exactly like conventional plastic tape. There is no equipment to buy, no training required, and no operational disruption when switching. 

For small business owners dispatching orders from home or a small warehouse, this is as frictionless as sustainable packaging gets.

The rubber adhesive creates a strong, long-lasting bond that holds under typical courier and postal handling conditions. Combined with the tape's moisture resistance, it performs reliably across the temperature variations common in transit and storage environments.

What Makes It Sustainable

Like PacPlan kraft tape, the PayPal white version is 100% recyclable and can go through the cardboard recycling stream without removal. The paper construction is biodegradable, and the product replaces single-use plastic tape entirely, making it an ideal choice for businesses that want to reduce plastic in their packaging without investing in new equipment or changing their packing process.

Price

The PayPal white kraft paper tape is available at Globe Packaging for just £2.00 per individual roll. You can also get up to 360 rolls for just £299.00. 

3 Best Sustainable Packing Tapes: Summary Table 

Use Sustainable Packaging Tapes From Globe Packaging

Making the switch from plastic tape to a recyclable alternative is genuinely one of the lowest-effort, highest-impact changes a business can make to its packaging. No redesign, no new machinery for most options, and no compromise on seal strength. Just a direct swap that keeps cardboard out of the landfill and plastic out of the recycling stream.

At Globe Packaging, we stock all three of the tapes covered in this guide: the Xtegra gummed paper tape range, PacPlan brown kraft paper tape, and PayPal white kraft paper tape. Our same-day dispatch on orders placed by 4 pm ensures you receive stock quickly, while orders over £50 qualify for free next working day delivery to UK mainland addresses. With more than 60,000 square feet of warehouse space, we maintain extensive stock levels so you never experience delays waiting for packaging supplies.

If you are a sole trader packing orders from a spare room or a fulfilment operation running hundreds of boxes a day, there is a recyclable tape option here that fits your workflow without disruption.

Shop for sustainable packaging tapes at Globe Packaging today!

*Note: Product listings, prices, and delivery times shown are approximate and subject to change. Contact Globe Packaging for the latest information.