The Forest Stewardship Council is an international non-profit organization that set forth standards for forestry practices with the aim of promoting environmentally responsible and socially beneficial forestry.
Wood and paper-products stamped with an FSC® certified logo means the materials can be traced back to a sustainably managed forest.

The Green-e Climate Certified Offsets is a certification program that sets consumer protection and environmental-integrity standards for carbon offsets. This means that a company's renewable energy must come from qualifying sources of generation like wind, solar, etc.

Carbon Emissions refers to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, or product. It is calculated by adding up all the emissions resulting in every stage of a product/service's lifetime (including production manufacturing, shipping to business, shipping to consumer, consumer use, and end-of-life). 

When a company says they're offsetting or neutralizing their carbon emissions, it doesn't mean that they're lowering their emissions. It means they are continuing to pollute and compensate by donating or investing in an equivalent "green project" elsewhere.

A renewable energy source means energy created is sustainable - something that can't run out, or is endless. 

The most popular types of renewable energy include: solar energy, wind energy, and hydro energy (powered by flowing water).

Seed paper is a type of handmade paper that includes any number of different plant seeds. The seeds themselves can still germinate after the papermaking & printing process and they can sprout when the paper is planted in soil.

Be cautious when using seed papers and shipping them around the world to your customers as they may include plant species that are potentially invasive. 

Lots of new materials are coming onto the market that are more longterm sustainable than tree-based paper. 

Options include: Cotton, Bamboo, Hemp, and Sugarcane papers

Virgin material is made from extracting natural resources in raw form to make the product and does not have any recycled content.

Many substrates have a silicone-coated release liner thats used to securely hold adhesives, but make removal easy. These are most often found in shipping labels, stickers, and envelopes. They are, unfortunately, not "eco-friendly" and are rarely recyclable. 

PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) is a common type of plastic, sometimes referred to simply as "vinyl." It provides weather resistance and durability. PVC is not recyclable or compostable!

If plastic is recyclable, that means it can be reprocessed at an industrial plant and turned into other useful products. However, global analysis by the AAAS found that less than 10% of all plastic waste ever generated has been recycled.

Most plastics, even non-biodegradable ones, will degrade if given enough time (but could be hundreds of years) but many will break down into smaller pieces and remain as microplastic.

• Plastic Recycling - Certain types of plastic bags and film can be recycled (#2 & #4 polyethylene). They should be sorted separately from the rest of your recycling -- but it will always depend on your local material recycling facility. The most well-known and readily available locations to drop off these plastics are at grocery stores.

Bioplastics are plastic materials made from a percentage of plant fibers - some may be biodegradable or compostable, but many are not. It is also worth noting that bioplastics require a fossil-fuel-filled production that heavily pollutes water ways and soil.

• PE (Polyethylene) - Bio-based but not biodegradable. Typically produced by fermenting raw agricultural materials (sugar cane or corn).
• Bio-PP (Bio-Based Polypropylene) - A polymer manufactured from natural materials (corn, sugar cane, vegetable oil). Typically used in injection molding, packaging, and textiles.
• Bio-PE/Bio-PET (Bio-Based Polyethylene/Terephthalate) - Bio-based but not biodegradable. Made from a mix of renewable raw material and oil-based raw material. They can, typically, be integrated into established recycling streams.

For a plastic to be considered biodegradable, it means that it can undergo decomposition under certain environmental conditions and turn into water, biomass, carbon dioxide, or methane when in contact with specific bacteria or microbes. Timescales for decomposition can vary greatly.

• PLA (Polylactide) - Biodegradable, compostable, and bio-based. Produced by fermenting raw agricultural materials (sugar cane or corn starch). Takes about 80 years to naturally decompose.
• PHA/PHB (Polyhydroxyalkanoate) - Biodegradable and bio-based. Produced by bacterial fermentation using bio-derived feedstocks, including food waste. Created from renewable sources and present a very promising future in bio-plastics. Takes about 90 days to naturally decompose. 
• PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) - Biodegradable and typically home-compostable, but not bio-based. Non-renewable fossil-based polymer. Has a 90% degradation rate after 80 days.

Compostable plastic is a subset of biodegradable plastic. Under composting conditions, it is broken down by microbes into CO2, water, and biomass.
For plastic to be certified as compostable, certain standards must be met (like timeframe, % of plastic that decomposes) but those standards varies greatly from country to country.

• PLA (Polylactide) - Biodegradable, compostable, and bio-based. Produced by fermenting raw agricultural materials (sugar cane or corn starch). Needs a commercial composting facility to break down in 45-90 days.
• PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) - Biodegradable and typically home-compostable, but not bio-based. Non-renewable fossil-based polymer. Typically breaks down in about 1 year in a home compost pile and 2 years in standard soil.

Envelopes are one of the most readily accessible shipping options out there - they can be found just about anywhere, in a bunch of sizes, shapes, and colors. 
• Pros: They are typically curbside recyclable. Kraft envelopes are naturally biodegradable. 
• Cons: Keep an eye on recycled content percentages as many are made of virgin content.
• Suppliers: Paper envelopes can be purchased just about anywhere. 
• Sizes: Range from 3x5" to 10x13" 

Rigid mailers made of stiff chipboard are great for art prints, photo prints, stickers and other items you don't want bent in transit.
• Pros: They are curbside recyclable and kraft mailers are naturally biodegradable.
• Cons: White rigid mailers tend to be made from less recycled material and the outside coating may be less biodegradable (depending on the manufacturer). 
• Suppliers: Can be purchased from EcoEnclose, PaperMart, Envelopes.com, and many other places.
• Sizes: Range from 5x5" to 22x27"  

• Notes: Rigid mailers with tock tabs have no self-adhesive strip and will require tape to seal - but the lack of a pull-away strip is one less item going into a landfill!
In some countries, like the UK, Board-Backed Envelopes are a similar alternative to ship stay-flat items.

These mailers are made of flat paper (typically kraft) and have no interior padding; may or may not have a gusset. 
• Pros: They are curbside recyclable and naturally biodegradable.
• Cons: No interior padding - fragile items will need to be protected with void fill options. 
• Suppliers: 100% Recycled kraft mailers can be purchased from EcoEnclose
• Sizes: Range from 6x10" to 12x19"  

These mailers are made of kraft paper and have an interior padding that is made from shredded paper.
• Pros: They are curbside recyclable and naturally biodegradable.
• Cons: The shredded paper used as padding inside is not very popular with customers as it can make a huge mess if ripped opened. Also, due to their paper content, they add several ounces to your package - which will increase your shipping costs.
• Suppliers: 100% Recycled kraft mailers can be purchased from EcoEnclose and Lumi (in large quantities).
• Sizes: Range from 6x9" to 14x19"

Cardboard boxes are one of the most readily accessible shipping options out there - they can be found just about anywhere, in a bunch of sizes, shapes, and colors.
• Pros: They are typically curbside recyclable. Uncoated boxes are naturally biodegradable and compostable.
• Cons: Keep an eye on recycled content percentages. Boxes with a colored coating finish are not biodegradable nor compostable - and some curbside recycling programs may not accept them at all.
• Suppliers: Cardboard boxes can be purchased just about anywhere.
• Sizes: Huge range of sizes.

• Pros: The recyclable mailers from EcoEnclose have a double strip for ease of reuse. They are also recyclable at locations that accept grocery bags.
• Cons: Recycled content is low and since it looks like a standard bubble mailer, many customers will just throw it away.
• Suppliers: EcoEnclose
• Sizes: EcoEnclose sizes range from 4x7 to 8x10

• Pros: Compostable!
• Cons: Some compostable mailers on the market need to be composted in commercial facilities (which are hard to find). Many customers may not have a home compost pile either!
• Suppliers: Home-compostable mailers available from BetterPackagingCo & Grounded Packaging will biodegrade in 3-6 months. 
Commercially-compostable mailers are available from TishWish and Lumi (made from PLA and PBAT). 
• Sizes: Sizes range from 5x9 to 23x25

• Notes: Make sure to use Compostable Shipping Labels on any compostable mailers!!
Due to the compostable nature, they have a limited shelf life - don't order more than you'll need!

• Pros: Offer great protection for rolled paper products. Many places use recycled materials to make the paperboard tubes.
• Cons: The end-caps available on many tubes are not recyclable. 
• Suppliers: Mailing tubes/triangles can be found from a bunch of brick and mortar stores and online shops. 
YazooMills and PaperMart sells mailing tubes that are 100% recycled. ThePaperTube sells mailing tubes that are also 100% plastic-free, biodegradable and recyclable. 
• Sizes: Sizes range from 2in - 8in in diameter and 12in - 60in long.

• Notes: Mailing tubes often come with a plastic or a metal cap. Plastic caps are typically not recyclable - but the metal ones can be recycled! Some mailing tubes are sold with a fold-in end, which isn't always ideal as its not waterproof. 

If you're aiming to fill empty space in boxes and/or wrap fragile items, newsprint and paper fillers are easily accessible and low-cost. 
• Pros: Newsprint and paper fillers tend to be recyclable, naturally biodegradable and compostable. 
• Cons: Tend to come in large sheets or large rolls - which may be hard to find room for in your office/home.
• Suppliers: EcoEnclose has 4 different types of 100% recycled packaging paper available. PaperMart has large bundles of recycled newspaper for a very low cost as well as rolls of kraft paper.

If you're aiming to fill empty space in boxes and/or wrap fragile items, newsprint and paper fillers are and low-cost.
• Pros: Tissue paper is easily accessible and usually made from recycled paper! Available in lots of colors and can be printed on by some suppliers. 
• Cons: Recyclability is rare (because the fibers are so short, it typically can't be recycled again) and depends on your location - some areas won't accept it at all.
• Suppliers: EcoEnclose offers a 100% recycled tissue paper (printing available). 

• Notes:  Any tissue paper with glitter, metallic finishes, or wax-coating cannot be recycled or composted.

Shredding cardboard is an easy and affordable way to get your hands on void fill. Reuse cardboard you get from packages and shred it with a 8-12 page paper shredded. 

Shredded cardboard is recycling at MOST recycling centers - but not all of them will accept it. If your local center doesn't accept it, it is 100% compostable.

Read my blog article on how I make my own cardboard fill!
 
• Pros: Easy and affordable. Typically recyclable and 100% compostable. 
• Cons: Costs a little bit of manual labor. 

Crinkle paper is bits of paper shreds that are crinkled up like an accordion. Great for filling in boxes and makes for a beautiful presentation. 
• Pros: Since crinkle paper is typically made of paper, it's fully compostable and recyclable. Available in lots of fun colors (check contents to make sure its made of paper and not something else.)
• Cons: A lot of customers don't like crinkle paper since it can easily make a mess when they take your products out of the shipping box.
• Suppliers: PaperMart sells large boxes of crinkle paper in 28 colors!

• Notes: Crinkle paper that's mixed in with glitter or acetate will limit the recyclability of the whole batch. 

There are a few bubble wrap alternatives out there: 
• Corrugated Bubble Wrap: a wrap made from corrugated sheets with holes sliced in it. Available only from EcoEnclose - made from recycled material. 100% recyclable & biodegradable.

• Paper Wrap: a paper wrap that you can stretch into honeycomb cells. 100% recyclable & biodegradable. Available from EcoEnclose, Ranpak, Staples, PackagingSupplies.

• Paper Shred: shredded kraft paper from EcoEnclose, made from 100% recycled materials. 100% recyclable & biodegradable.

• Flute Rolls: a roll of corrugated cardboard that can be used to wrap cylindrical items and as void fill. 100% recyclable & biodegradable.

Biodegradable packing peanuts are made from natural, nontoxic sources - such as wheat & corn starch. They dissolve in water and can be thrown into compost piles after a single use.

• Pros: Biodegradable and compostable. 
• Cons: With a higher weight than traditional packing peanuts, they can increase shipping costs. Costs also tend to be higher as well. 
• Suppliers: Uhaul, PaperMart

EcoEnclose sells rolls of thermal shipping labels that are curbside recyclable and feature a zero-waste, 100% PCR recycled paper release liner. Requires a thermal label printer.

No thermal printer? No problem!
EcoEnclose sells letter-sized shipping label sheets that work in your home printer. They are fully recyclable and feature a zero-waste, 100% PCR recycled paper release liner.
They come pre-scored for 2 labels per sheet and are available in 2 colors: white and kraft. 

BetterPackagingCo and PureLabels both sell rolls of thermal shipping labels that are compost friendly.
Requires a thermal label printer.

No thermal printer? No problem!
PureLabels sells letter-sized shipping label sheets that work in your home printer. They are compost friendly!
They come pre-scored for 2 labels per sheet.

Made from plant-derived cellulose that is renewable and naturally biodegradable with a natural rubber adhesive. Peel and stick.
Available from EcoEnclose.

Made from plant-derived materials that are renewable and naturally compostable with a natural rubber adhesive. Peel and stick.
Available from BetterPackagingCo.

Made from a blend of recyclable kraft paper and a blend of natural & synthetic rubber adhesives. Peel and stick.
Available from EcoEnclose.

Made from recycled paper, the starch adhesive is water-activated, so it must be used with a wet sponge or special dispenser.
•  Can be custom printed from places like EcoEnclose, UPrinting, 

Available in different reinforcements types from EcoEnclose, PaperMart, and others: standard and reinforced. 
• Standard WAT is renewable, recyclable, and biodegradable.
• Reinforced WAT tape is renewable and recyclable, but due to the fiberglass strings embedded in the tape, it is not biodegradable.

Though not perfect, paper is always better (when possible) because it's renewable, recyclable, and naturally biodegradable.
Plastic is sometimes unavoidable - just use in moderation if you can.

Always look for recycled paper - anything that is recycled will have a % of recycled content. The higher, the better!

Bonus: Look for anything FSC Certified - any product with a FSC logo comes from a forest that has been sourced in an environmentally-friendly, socially-responsible, and economically viable manner. The numbers under the certification logo can be used to track where the material comes from. 

Uncoated papers are the most eco-friendly option - but not the only option! Even glossy papers can be recycled curbside. However, extra fancy coatings can make your cards un-recyclable. UV Spot Gloss, Glitter, Metalized Inks, and Holographic finishes can prevent recyclability. Plastic cards are also not recyclable. 

There are a few packaging suppliers, including some "eco-friendly" ones, that I have not included in my resource list.

When doing research into companies to include, I also look at company politics/affiliations, overall treatment of employees, and impact on the environment - so a company that has questionable affiliations, treats its employees unfairly, lies to customers, or donates money to people/organizations that have zero consideration for the environment - don't make my list.