“Eco-friendly” on a roll of packaging tape can mean recyclable, compostable, recycled-content, bio-based, or nothing much at all. If you are switching tapes to improve your packaging footprint, or to satisfy a retailer or an APCO report, it is worth knowing how to check the claim rather than take the label at face value.
Key points
- “Recyclable”, “compostable”, “recycled content” and “bio-based” are different claims with different evidence behind them.
- The strongest practical claim for carton sealing is that the whole carton recycles kerbside with the tape left on, which paper gummed tape delivers and plastic tape does not.
- Watch for claims that describe the adhesive but not the tape as a whole, or that need a special disposal step the customer will not take.
- Ask the supplier for the evidence: the recycling stream, any certification, and the ink and coating used.
What each claim actually means
- Recyclable: the material can go into an existing recycling stream. For tape, the meaningful version is that the sealed carton goes in the kerbside paper and cardboard bin without removing the tape. Paper gummed tape does this; plastic tape should be removed first.
- Compostable: the material breaks down in composting conditions. Check whether it is certified to AS 4736 (industrial) or AS 5810 (home), and remember industrial composting is not available to most households. Non-reinforced kraft gummed tape can be compostable; reinforced cannot.
- Recycled content: the tape is made partly from recycled fibre. Useful, but it says nothing about whether the tape is recyclable at end of life.
- Bio-based: the adhesive or backing is made from plant material rather than petroleum. A starch adhesive is bio-based. Again, this is about the input, not the disposal.
Greenwashing red flags
- The claim is about the adhesive, not the tape. “Plant-based adhesive” on a plastic-film tape does not make the tape recyclable with paper.
- It needs a step the customer will not do. “Recyclable if you separate the layers” is not a real-world recycling outcome.
- No standard is named. “Compostable” with no AS 4736 or AS 5810 reference is a marketing word.
- Vague imagery. Green packaging and leaf logos are not evidence.
- Certified compostable but you have no industrial composting. Check what is actually available in your area and your customers’ areas.
What to ask a tape supplier
- Does a carton sealed with this tape go in the kerbside paper bin with the tape left on? If not, what is the step?
- Is there a certification (AS 4736, AS 5810, a recycling verification)? Can I see it?
- What is the adhesive, and is it solvent-free?
- If it is printed, are the inks water-based? Is there a coating, and is it plastic?
- Is the reinforced version treated differently for recycling? (It should be flagged, because of the fibreglass.)
The straightforward answer for carton sealing
Non-reinforced water activated (gummed) kraft tape, printed in water-based inks if branded, on a kraft carton, gives you a parcel that recycles whole in the kerbside stream with nothing for the customer to remove, and the non-reinforced grade can also meet industrial compostability. That is a claim you can stand behind. The detail is in 8 key insights on water activated tape and the starch adhesive guide.
Where Carewell fits
Carewell Group supplies water activated and reinforced gummed paper tape, printed or plain, with the evidence behind the recyclability, distributed across Australia. Carewell can meet all your packaging needs in one place. Talk to our team and we will work to your required minimum order quantity. Request a quote and samples or call +61 (02) 8760 1491.
Frequently asked questions
Is paper tape automatically eco-friendly?
Non-reinforced kraft gummed tape recycles with the carton and can be industrially compostable. Self-adhesive paper tape carries a pressure-sensitive adhesive, so its claim is weaker. Check the specifics.
What is the difference between recyclable and compostable tape?
Recyclable means it can go into an existing recycling stream, ideally the kerbside paper bin with the carton. Compostable means it breaks down in composting conditions, and you should check whether that is industrial (AS 4736) or home (AS 5810).
Does recycled-content tape count as eco-friendly?
It reduces virgin material use, which is a genuine benefit, but it says nothing about whether the tape is recyclable at end of life. The two claims are separate.
How do I back up an eco claim for an APCO report?
Use a tape whose recyclability outcome is clear (kerbside paper with the carton), keep the supplier’s evidence, and note the reinforced-versus-non-reinforced distinction.
Are printed eco tapes still recyclable?
Yes, if printed with water-based or soy-based inks and not finished with a plastic laminate.
Written by Alif Vasaya, digital and content strategy, Carewell Group. Carewell Group is an Australian packaging, food packaging, tape, industrial safety and 3PL supplier serving all of Australia. Last updated 10 September 2026.