Smarter paper procurement for a circular future.
Paper-based packaging is often marketed as a simple answer to plastic waste, but US composting infrastructure tells a more complicated story. Buyers should verify coatings, inks, fiber blends, and local acceptance before treating “plastic-free” as a sustainability outcome.
The paper-free label sounds virtuous, but it often hides plastic-heavy substitutes and murky end-of-life outcomes. US procurement teams need a sharper test: certified fiber, high recycled content, and circular design usually outperform paper elimination.
Holiday peak in 2026 will test every US fulfillment center, and plastic mailers are increasingly difficult to defend. This guide compares paper-based packaging on durability, recyclability, cost per shipment, and supplier reliability, with a checklist for contracts signed before the rush.