Guides · Sustainability
Sustainability standards
Packaging is a brand’s most public sustainability claim. We operate to documented standards — FSC chain-of-custody, low-migration inks, monomaterial constructions, supply-chain traceability — so your claims match what’s in the box.
Certifications we operate to
- FSC Chain-of-CustodyAll virgin-fibre materials FSC-certified. Documentation provided per-order. FSC 100% for hero lines, FSC Recycled for eco-forward briefs, FSC Mix where cost is the priority.
- ISO 9001 & ISO 14001Partner facilities audited against quality (9001) and environmental management (14001) standards. Audit reports available on request for procurement review.
- EU Regulation 1935/2004 + 10/2011Food-contact packaging conforms to EU safety regulations. Migration testing for direct-food-contact applications.
- CLP Regulation 1272/2008Multilingual hazard labeling for cosmetics and chemical products. Pictograms, H and P phrases correctly placed.
- Triman + Info-Tri (French market)Waste-sorting markings applied per Décret 2022-507 for all French-distributed packaging.
- OK compost HOME (TÜV)Specific SKUs certified home-compostable — important to distinguish from industrial-only.
Materials we prioritize
- Monomaterial (one-stream recyclable)Single-fibre constructions. No PE coatings, no PLA liners that compromise recycling. Disposal = paper bin.
- FSC-certified virgin fibreResponsibly managed forests. Mill-to-customer traceability.
- Post-consumer recycled (PCR) contentUp to 100% PCR kraft and white stocks. Closed-loop fiber flow.
- Compostable paper-basedGlassine and specific kraft stocks certified home-compostable. No microplastics.
- Avoided: mixed substratesNo board-with-foil-liners, no PE-coated paper, no laminated composites unless the brief explicitly requires it. These are recycling-stream poison.
Inks & finishing
- Low-migration, heavy-metal-free inksStandard across all production. Data sheets available with every order.
- Soy-based inksFor eco-forward briefs — 100% soy-oil-based, improves paper recyclability.
- Water-based varnishDefault finishing for eco orders. Avoids the UV-varnish recycling impact.
- Avoided: UV-cured varnish on recyclable substratesUnless brief requires the gloss level. Disclosed on the material spec.
- Foil considerationsFoil stamping uses minimal material — does not typically compromise paper recyclability in small areas. Large-area foil documented separately.
Transparency we offer
- Per-unit carbon (CO₂e) calculationOn request, for materials + production. Useful for Scope 3 reporting, B-Corp renewal, Ecolabel audits.
- Ink data sheetsTechnical data sheet shared with every order — composition, VOC content, migration data.
- Mill certificatesPaper provenance documented per batch. Traceable to the mill.
- Material spec sheetPer-SKU breakdown: substrate, coating, finishing, recyclability claim, PCR%, carbon estimate.
- Honest claimsWe will not apply a “100% recyclable” marker to a mixed-substrate product. The claim must match the physical construction.
Where we can go further
- Plastic-free requirementAchievable across most formats. Window films can be replaced with die-cut openings. Polywrap replaced with paper.
- Zero foil / zero plasticBlind emboss + single-colour print delivers premium feel without foil or laminated window.
- 100% PCR targetAvailable on kraft, white PCR, and microflute corrugated. Subject to current mill inventory.
- Ocean-bound plastic film (where film is required)For window cartons, we can specify mill-sourced ocean-bound PET film.
- Regenerative-agriculture paperEmerging category — we monitor and source from Fedrigoni / Arctic Paper lines as they become available.
Building a credible sustainability claim for your packaging?
Send us the certification requirements, carbon target, or specific eco standard you need to hit — we propose the best-match material with full documentation and honest trade-offs.