Start by switching to recyclable mono-material mailers or recycled paper mailers and trimming any excess packaging from your parcels. Before you claim recyclability anywhere, get a PREP assessment done so you can use the Australasian Recycling Label properly. This matters because the 2025 National Packaging Targets set a national direction for packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable.
TL;DR:
- Run PREP before printing: it assesses material, shape, size, weight, inks, and adhesives, and supports proper use of the Australasian Recycling Label.
- Compostable films belong only in closed loop systems with a clear collection route, such as a composting partnership; kerbside acceptance is limited.
- Recycled paper and mono material polyethylene mailers often cost close to standard packaging, while compostable films and premium reusable formats may cost more per unit.
- Pilot one SKU and package size, then track damage rates and customer feedback for several weeks before changing the wider range.
- A mailer with a second adhesive strip lets customers reseal returns, avoiding a separate bag or box when the garment needs no extra protection.
Table of Contents
- Types of eco-friendly packaging materials and when to use them
- Design for recyclability and the rules to follow
- Practical packaging ideas and real examples for clothing brands
- Costs, sourcing and rollout: what to expect
- Handling returns and exchanges sustainably
- Author perspective: why eco-friendly packaging matters to us
- Eco-friendly, ready-to-ship picks worth packing well
- FAQ
- Sources
Types of eco-friendly packaging materials and when to use them
Not every eco material suits every garment, so matching the material to the product saves money and headaches down the track.
Recycled paper and cardboard can work well for boxed items or anything with a premium unboxing moment. Check local recycling guidance before choosing them for your packaging.
Mono-material plastics, like PE mailers and polybags made from a single polymer, may be easier to assess for recycling than mixed-material packaging. Check the packaging design with PREP before making a recyclability claim.
Compostable and biodegradable films sound ideal, but they come with a catch: kerbside acceptance is limited, so check whether there is a clear collection pathway, such as a composting partnership or a take-back scheme. Guidance from APCO and partners discusses their use in specific closed-loop systems.
Reusable packaging, such as sturdy tote bags or branded boxes designed for repeat use, suits subscription models and repeat customers particularly well.
Small components often get overlooked, and they can undo good packaging choices:
- Tissue paper: choose uncoated, unbleached stock so it’s compostable or recyclable.
- Tags and labels: avoid plastic coatings or foil stamping that can’t be separated from paper.
- Tape: use paper-based, water-activated tape instead of plastic tape with a paper backing.
Design for recyclability and the rules to follow
Getting packaging genuinely recyclable isn’t guesswork. There’s a defined process, and it starts before you print a single label.
- Run a PREP assessment on your packaging design. This is what generates an Australasian Recycling Label, and it looks at material, shape, size, weight, inks and adhesives together, not in isolation.
- Check your design against the 2025 National Packaging Targets, which call for all packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable, alongside material-specific recycled-content goals.
- Avoid mixed-material laminates such as plastic-coated paper, since these can’t be separated at a materials recovery facility.
- Choose adhesives and inks that don’t interfere with recycling streams. Water-based inks and recyclable-compatible glues are safer choices.
- Right-size your packaging for the garment and the transport method, since oversized mailers waste material and raise freight costs.
The Sustainable Packaging Guidelines lay out ten principles and practical quickstart guides that make this process far less daunting for a small team. For compostable plastics specifically, guidance from APCO, the Australasian Bioplastics Association and AORA makes clear these materials suit specific closed-loop systems, not general kerbside bins.
Pro Tip: Run your PREP assessment before you commit to a print run, since changing inks or laminates afterwards means reprinting everything.
Practical packaging ideas and real examples for clothing brands
Different garments call for different packaging, and the trick is matching effort and cost to the value of what’s inside.
For T-shirts, socks and other lightweight items, a recycled paper mailer or a thin PE mono-mailer sized close to the garment may help reduce packaging material and shipping weight. Compare supplier costs before choosing a format.
Higher-value pieces, like dungarees, dresses or gift sets, benefit from a little more care:
- A recyclable polybag keeps garments clean during transit without adding mixed materials.
- Paper garment wraps or unbleached tissue add a presentation touch without compromising recyclability.
- Avoiding glitter, foil and laminated finishes on any wrap keeps the whole package recoverable.
Gift-ready packaging can still look festive while staying responsible: a simple paper band around a recycled kraft box reads as thoughtful without the waste that comes with ribbon, cellophane or glitter-coated paper. We’ve shared more ideas along these lines in our piece on eco gift wrap for baby items, which covers presentation tactics that photograph well and recycle easily.
For repeat customers or subscription boxes, a reusable fabric bag or sturdy branded box encourages customers to keep and reuse the packaging rather than binning it after one use. It can help to tell customers plainly that the packaging is designed to be kept and reused.
Sourcing is the practical hurdle most brands hit. Local Australian suppliers generally offer faster turnaround and smaller minimum order quantities, which suits a brand still testing a new packaging format. Overseas bulk suppliers can undercut on unit price, but longer lead times and higher minimums mean more capital tied up in packaging stock before you know if customers actually notice the change.
Costs, sourcing and rollout: what to expect
Switching packaging doesn’t need to be an all-or-nothing leap, and treating it as a trial run reduces risk considerably.
Recycled paper mailers and mono-material PE mailers tend to sit close to standard packaging in cost, while compostable films and premium reusable packaging generally carry a higher price per unit. That extra cost may be worthwhile for brands whose customers value ethical sourcing.
A sensible rollout looks like this:
- Pilot one SKU and one package size before changing everything at once.
- Track damage rates and customer feedback over several weeks.
- Right-size based on what you learn, since oversized mailers are one of the most common sources of avoidable packaging waste.
- Recycle label backings and offcuts in your own operation where your local facility accepts them.
Pro Tip: Ask any potential supplier for their PREP assessment results upfront, since this saves you from re-testing packaging you’ve already paid to develop.
When choosing a supplier, weigh up print-on-demand partners against bulk local manufacturers based on your order volume, lead time tolerance and how often you expect to update your branding.
Handling returns and exchanges sustainably
Returns are where a lot of packaging waste quietly piles up, since many brands default to oversized boxes or non-recyclable bags “just in case” an item comes back.
The simplest fix is designing your outbound packaging so it can double as return packaging, as detailed in our guide to sustainable secondhand shopping. A mono-material mailer with a secondary adhesive strip lets a customer reseal and send an item back without needing a second box or bag. This can reduce the need for additional packaging on returned orders.
For exchanges, consider including a small recycled paper slip with clear instructions rather than a bulky return form, and encourage customers to reuse the original mailer wherever the garment allows it. If an item needs extra protection on its way back, suggest tissue paper or a reusable bag rather than bubble wrap, and check local guidance for disposal options.
Being upfront with customers about how to recycle or reuse the return packaging builds trust, and it’s a natural place to reinforce your 30-day returns policy without turning it into a sales pitch.
Author perspective: why eco-friendly packaging matters to us
We’ve been a family-owned business since 2007, and packaging choices sit inside that same commitment to ethical, organic clothing. Current shipping and returns details are on our website, because trust shouldn’t be complicated. Have a look through our other guides on recycling baby clothes for more ways to close the loop.
— Daniel
Eco-friendly, ready-to-ship picks worth packing well
We stock pieces that pair naturally with the lighter, recyclable packaging covered above. The Kite Pear-fect Dungaree Gift Bundle suits a recycled kraft gift box with a simple paper band, while the Kite Pear-fect Print Socks (3-Pack) ships neatly in a slim mono-material mailer.
- Check our website for current shipping and returns details.
- Browse our gift packaging options on our website.
Browse our full baby clothing range or the kids collection to find your next ethically made, brightly coloured piece.
FAQ
Is eco-friendly packaging more expensive?
Recycled paper mailers and mono-material plastic mailers generally cost close to standard packaging. Compostable films and premium reusable formats may cost more per unit. Compare their costs and suitability with standard packaging before choosing.
What is eco-friendly cloth?
Eco-friendly cloth generally refers to fabric made from organic, recycled or low-impact fibres and produced with reduced water, chemical and energy use. It’s a separate question from packaging, though both sit under the same sustainability umbrella for clothing brands.
What are sustainable materials for packaging?
Common sustainable packaging materials include recycled paper and cardboard, mono-material recyclable plastics, certified compostable films for closed-loop systems, and reusable fabric or boxes. The Sustainable Packaging Guidelines outline principles for choosing and designing with these materials.
How do I know if my packaging is actually recyclable in Australia?
A PREP assessment is the step that determines this, checking your packaging’s material, shape, inks and adhesives against what local facilities can actually process. Only after that assessment can you display an Australasian Recycling Label with confidence.
What are the 2025 National Packaging Targets?
The 2025 National Packaging Targets require all packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable, alongside material-specific recycled-content goals. They provide a national framework for packaging choices such as those covered in this guide.
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