As demand in commerce increases, more consumers are championing sustainability — and their growing voices are reshaping the packaging industry. While it’s true that all packaging leaves a mark on the environment, some companies are rolling up their sleeves and pioneering better packaging. Sustainable packaging companies can be divided into the following categories: new materials innovators, circularity innovators, and sustainable packaging resellers. In this article, we list 5 companies in each.
Select New Materials Innovators
Woola
The story of Woola began in 2020, back when its co-founders ran an ecommerce business and faced the packaging problem first-hand. Based in Estonia and supporting retailers throughout Europe, Woola provides impact-resistant envelopes and bottle sleeves that replace bubble wrap. This company is serious about transparency, so they have even published a living sustainability tracking board accessible via Notion. This is updated regularly, giving you direct insight into Woola’s actions and future plans, ensuring accountability.Paptic®
Since its inception in 2015, Paptic Ltd has been at the forefront of sustainable innovation with the development of Paptic®, a wood fiber-based alternative to plastic. Its responsibly sourced material can be manufactured on existing paper machines— a sustainable solution that is indeed scalable. Used by businesses in over 50 countries, Paptic’s material has been made into dry food packaging, ecommerce mailers, bags, and pouches. One thing that stands out is Paptic’s transparency— its website has five whole pages communicating its impact!Releaf
Each year, tens of thousands of leaves fall onto European streets. And while they’d usually be burnt— this Ukrainian company swoops in and turns them into paper. The green mass is sent to contracted paper mills, where paper is produced from Releaf Fiber alone or with the addition of waste paper or virgin pulp if needed. The final product? Well, Releaf offers five:- Paper bags
- Corrugated Boxes
- Ecommerce Mailers
- Wrapping Paper
- Souvenir Products
Sway
US-based Sway, founded in 2020, offers home-compostable seaweed packaging as an alternative to plastic. Its retail boxes, polybags, and flexible film are strong, versatile, and they look luxurious— perfect for brands that seek a premium feel. Sway says its packaging is both home-compostable and industrially compostable, but if you’re looking for full third-party verification, just bear in mind that it’s still awaiting its TÜV certifications.CruzFoam
Founded in 2017 by surfers concerned about ocean plastic, CruzFoam creates compostable foam from chitin— a biodegradable polymer found in shrimp shells and sourced from waste streams in the seafood industry. Targeting electronics, wine, and food packaging, their foam alternatives compost in 103 days or less industrially. We looove CruzFoam’s white paper, where it openly discusses its Life Cycle Assessment and highlights areas for improvement.Hand-picked Circularity Innovators
RePack
Inspired by Finland’s bottle return system, RePack’s founders aim to transform ecommerce with reusable packaging. RePack’s products are made from recycled polypropylene and include envelopes, shopping bags, vinyl bags, and sofa packaging. It champions efficient reuse systems and returns usually take place in postal channels or internal reverse logistics. RePack doesn’t just provide sustainable packaging, it also offers unique services for ecommerce businesses, including monthly rentals and consultations for logistics. We’re fans of RePack’s data-based approach to sustainability.ReZip
Founded in 2017, ReZip is a Danish company that has developed a state-of-the-art end system to reduce single-use packaging.
Working to introduce sustainability into ecommerce, ReZip’s partner network integrates webstores and carriers to create a convenient return format for consumers.
Its product catalogue includes smaller bags that are ideal for clothing, as well as larger boxes that are more protective and better for fragile items like electronics.
It also offers a premium bag that is larger and stronger, but this is more resource-intensive to produce and circulate— and comes with its unique sustainability issues.
Packoorang®
Innovative newcomer Packoorang® was founded in Olso, Norway in 2021 with a mission to reduce waste at checkout. Customers can choose this sustainable packaging provider when they make an online purchase. Similar to ReZip, its return system rewards clients when they drop off their packaging after use. Its weather-proof bags are made from recycled plastic bottles and can be reused up to 100 times, making it an excellent shipping solution for garments, cosmetics, and breakables. According to its website, the production of Packoorang® emits significantly less carbon than single-use cardboard. The carbon that is released (through manufacturing, initial transport and 50 reuses) is offset by the company 3Degrees.Stora Enso
Born out of Finland and Sweden, Stora Enso is a leading provider of packaging made from renewable materials, providing sustainable solutions that range from liquid cartons to insulated boxes to rigid foam. Its products provide a low-carbon alternative to fossil-fuel-based packaging, and are used across a range of sectors, including building, retail, food and beverages, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics— and that’s just to name a few. With its eyes set on a global circular bioeconomy, Stora Enso is constantly finding new ways to save more energy and use fewer resources, and we appreciate its crystal-clear communications surrounding responsible business practices.Shellworks
London-based Shellworks makes packaging that disappears at its end of life. Made from microbes, its packaging breaks down in any soil and marine environment, leaving behind zero microplastics. Its material is currently certified by Ok2home compost by TÜV Austria. Shellworks currently offers:- Multi-purpose jars
- Fragrance caps
- Custom packaging
Leading Sustainable Packaging Resellers and Marketplaces
Priory Direct
Known as the home of planet-friendly packaging, UK-based Priory Direct resells packaging, labelling, and office supplies to over 20,000 businesses. Priory Direct makes sustainable packaging an easy option for all business needs— offering cardboard boxes, padded envelopes, mailing bags, pallet wrap, labels, and even machinery. We appreciate that it has chosen to grow sustainably. Priory Direct embraces a data-driven approach to impact, achieving renowned third-party certifications like B-Corp and Carbon Neutral.Circulate8
A pan-European company of Swedish origin, Circulate8 unifies the leading European sustainable packaging providers in one place. Businesses can choose from a wide range of shipping packaging, product packaging, and accessories on its website, or can opt for its unique services, which include personal packaging shopping and compliance consulting. You’ll appreciate Circulate8’s vigorous screening process, which combs through a product’s materials, resource usage, and end-of-life to form an easy-to-understand sustainability score. This index helps clients choose the most environmentally-responsible option available.Packhelp
Founded in 2015 in Warsaw, Poland, Packhelp has quickly become a prominent player in the European sustainable packaging sector. In addition to providing the classic paper mailers and bio-foam fillers, it also has offerings such as paper cans, doypacks, and gift boxes that are adorned with eye-catching designs. It is trusted by over 50,000 businesses across many industries, including fashion, hobbies, health, and food. Its commitment to building a responsible supply chain is clear, and we appreciate its transparent reporting and extensive sustainability hub.Packaging Supplies
Another UK-based supplier, Packaging Supplies has over 40 years of experience in the industry.
Having made a commitment to 100% plastic-free packaging, the business provides a range of both ready-to-order and custom-printed packaging, from branded folding cartons, to food packaging, and cosmetics packaging.
Packaging Supplies delivers exclusively to customers within the UK.
