Know your packaging materials, and back it up! When designing sustainable shipping boxes, you need quality materials that are packed with recycled content, but you also need the certifications to prove it.

Maximize Recycled Content, Especially PCW

If you care about lowering your packaging footprint, recycled content is the most important lever you have.

We use 100% recycled corrugate, with a strong emphasis on post-consumer waste (PCW). PCW is the material that has already lived a full life in the hands of a consumer, then was collected and turned back into new packaging. It’s the engine of the circular economy.

Why it matters:

Brands that shift from virgin corrugate to corrugate PCW corrugate see one of the fastest and most meaningful reductions in emissions related to packaging.

• PCW reduces reliance on virgin fiber, which requires the cutting down of new trees

• PCW keeps valuable materials out of landfills

• PCW strengthens domestic recycling systems

Verify Sustainability Claims with Certifications

Recycled content claims are most meaningful when they’re backed by verification.

That’s why EcoEnclose seeks third-party certifications wherever possible – including FSC® Chain of Custody certification for our corrugate – to provide transparency and traceability across the supply chain. These certifications help confirm that the recycled corrugate used in your boxes meets rigorous environmental and social standards.

Our sustainability team also vets mills, adhesives, and inks to avoid greenwashing and ensure that every component meets curbside recycling requirements.

Source: EcoEnclose

Everybody loves to open high-quality packaging. It’s like the drumroll that introduces your product. But while some people think a well-designed shipping box is too expensive, it can actually save you money — even as you reduce waste and wow your customers.

Right-Sizing Boxes to Slash Shipping Costs

Custom dimensions aren’t just about aesthetics. They reduce dimensional weight (or DIM weight), cut shipping costs, and reduce the amount of void fill you need.

Most brands save 5–15% on shipping by right-sizing their boxes. If you have thousands of shipments per week, that adds up fast.

Right-sizing supports:

• Lower carrier fees

• Less material waste

• Faster packing

• Reduced product movement/damage

Elevating the Unboxing Experience

Your box is your most-opened marketing asset. A custom box lets you turn a commodity into an engaging moment for your brand.

EcoEnclose offers:

• Exterior and interior printing

• One- or two-color flexographic printing

• HydroSoy and Algae Ink™, our lowest-impact printing options

• Clean, crisp printing on recycled kraft paper

HydroSoy and Algae Ink™ deliver rich, vibrant color with low VOC emissions and minimal environmental impact — ranking among the most sustainable printing ink systems available today.

Some of the easiest wins our customers get in elevating their unboxing experiences come from switching to our branded recycled boxes. They often pair the newly branded boxes with custom tissue paper and custom packing tape, which are fully recyclable and printed with sustainable inks. Your own customers will love them.

Choosing the Right Corrugate Style

Different products require different boxes. Common corrugate styles include:

• Standard Shipping Boxes (Regular Slotted Cartons): Ideal for heavier or bulkier items.

• Tab-Locking Mailer Boxes: Popular for subscription services because they’re sturdy, attractive, and easy to assemble.

At EcoEnclose, we know boxes. So we’ll help you select the one that fits your product, fulfillment needs, and brand aesthetic.

Source: EcoEnclose

We know you care about sustainability. It’s why you’re reading this blog post, after all. It’s also why we want to help ensure your packaging is fully recyclable and that you can keep up with quickly evolving regulations.

Ensuring Curbside Recyclability

Designing sustainable packaging means thinking about where it ends up.

Our custom boxes use:

• Plastic-free, curbside-recyclable materials

• Compatible water-based adhesives

• Sustainable HydroSoy or Algae Ink™

You’ll want to avoid contaminants like glossy laminates, foils, and soft-touch coatings so recycling facilities can process your box without issue.

Preparing for EPR and Future Regulations

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws are evolving quickly. We provide the data you need — including PCW percentages, material composition, and weight — to help you stay ahead of reporting and compliance needs.

It’s all part of our commitment to delivering a worry-free packaging experience.

Source: EcoEnclose

At EcoEnclose, our entire purpose is to give your brand:

1. Easy sustainability wins

2. A packaging match for your unique business

3. Worry-free projects

Our custom shipping boxes are:

• 100% recycled corrugate

• FSC® Chain of Custody certified (FSC® Recycled, SCS-COC-009926)

• Printed with HydroSoy and Algae Ink™

• Available with MOQs starting at 100 units for branded boxes (and 1 unit for unbranded)

• Supported by a dedicated project manager who oversees timeline management, artwork, print testing, and quality control.

Want to start customizing your boxes? Explore your options and get a quote here.

1. How can custom packaging improve my brand’s unboxing experience?

Custom boxes turn a functional necessity into a high-touch brand moment. With EcoEnclose, you can brand both the inside and outside of the box using sustainable inks. Many brands also pair boxes with custom tissue paper and custom packing tape for a cohesive experience.

2. Can custom boxes be used for subscription services?

Absolutely. Tab-locking mailer boxes are one of the most popular choices for brands with subscription boxes due to their premium look, secure closure, and durability across shipments with multiple items.

3. Is a custom box cheaper than a stock box?

While stock boxes may have a lower unit cost, custom boxes often reduce your total cost of fulfillment. Right-sizing reduces shipping fees, dimensional weight, and void fill. At EcoEnclose, we also offer discounted set configurations directly within the customization flow.

4. What are HydroSoy and Algae Ink™?

We use HydroSoy (a water-based soy ink) and Algae Ink™, two of the most sustainable printing inks available. Compared to traditional petroleum-based inks, they offer:

• Low VOC emissions

• Reduced environmental toxicity

• High color vibrancy

• Full recyclability compatibility

Algae Ink is a revolutionary ink that uses algae cells for pigments, making it safer and cleaner to work with and more compatible with recycling and composting. Algae Ink™ incorporates a net negative carbon technology; the process to make its Algae Black™ pigment sequesters more carbon than is emitted.

5. Are EcoEnclose custom boxes curbside recyclable?

Yes, EcoEnclose’s custom shipping boxes are made from FSC®-certified recycled corrugate and are fully curbside recyclable. We make sure our printing (using Algae or HydroSoy Ink™) and materials comply with common recycling programs across the U.S.

6. What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for custom-branded boxes?

We offer a low minimum order quantity for custom branded boxes, starting at just 100 units. This makes custom, branded packaging accessible even for small- to mid-sized businesses looking for an easy sustainability win. For unbranded boxes, the minimum order is 1.

7. Can EcoEnclose help with compliance, artwork, or timeline management?

Sure can. Every custom order includes a dedicated project manager who ensures accurate dielines, proper artwork setup, print testing, and on-time delivery.

8. What is the most sustainable material for custom shipping boxes?

The most sustainable material for shipping boxes is corrugate made with the highest possible percentage of recycled content, particularly high post-consumer waste (PCW) material. This minimizes reliance on virgin resources and utilizes waste already in the system.

9. How do custom box dimensions impact my shipping costs?

Using custom shipping boxes sized exactly for your product reduces void fill and, more importantly, minimizes dimensional weight (DIM) charges from carriers. This can lead to significant cost savings that are often 5-15% of the shipping costs.

10. What types of printing are available for custom eco-friendly boxes?

We offer high-quality flexographic printing using water-based, environmentally friendly inks like HydroSoy or Algae Ink™. This ensures your branding pops vibrantly without hurting the recyclability of the box.

11. How do I avoid greenwashing with my packaging claims?

To avoid greenwashing, just be specific and transparent. Always share the exact percentage of recycled content and post-consumer waste used, and clearly label the box as curbside recyclable. EcoEnclose provides the necessary data and certifications (like FSC®) to back up your claims.

12. What lead times should I expect when ordering custom corrugated boxes?

Lead times can vary based on complexity and current volume, but standard lead times for custom printed boxes typically start around 3-5 weeks after final art approval. We recommend touching base with our project management team early for time-sensitive projects.

13. Why is post-consumer waste (PCW) important in sustainable packaging?

Post-consumer waste (PCW) is the engine that drives the circular economy. It’s material that’s already served its purpose and would normally go to a landfill, but can now be repurposed in things like sustainable packaging. By maximizing PCW content in custom recycled boxes, we create a stable market demand for recycled materials and reduce waste.

Custom shipping boxes are one of the most powerful ways to strengthen your brand, protect your products, and make measurable progress toward your sustainability goals.

At EcoEnclose, we deliver the most sustainable custom corrugated packaging on the market — backed by expert guidance, transparent certifications, and a frictionless path to implementation.

So what do you say? Let’s start designing a sustainable, branded shipping box that protects your products on the road and wows your customers at their door.