The shift away from plastic packaging is accelerating across Australia, impacting everything from takeaway containers at your local cafe to the mailers used by leading e-commerce brands. But tape is often overlooked in this transition—even though it plays a critical role in packaging and can impact recyclability.
But we know it’s not always straightforward. The marketplace is cluttered with claims about sustainability, making it challenging to identify genuinely eco-friendly products. Adding to this complexity are new regulations and evolving industry standards, like APCO’s recent reforms.
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Can packaging tape be eco friendly?
Traditional plastic packaging tapes are notoriously difficult to recycle and often end up in landfill or incineration facilities, where they persist for years. Some plastics, such as PVC, are particularly problematic, with several Australian states already banning or restricting their use due to environmental concerns. But there’s good news: several eco-friendly alternatives are now commercially viable, and paper tape has emerged as the leading option across most use cases.
Eco friendly tapes are adhesive tapes that can be recycled or composted, and/or made from biobased or recycled materials.
APCO
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) is driving change with the 2025 National
Packaging Targets, encouraging businesses to achieve:
• 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging
• 70% of plastic packaging being recycled or composted
• 50% average recycled content across packaging
• Phasing out unnecessary single-use plastic packaging
Acknowledging that those targets will not be met, In April 2025, APCO released a Consultation Paper on EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility). It outlines upcoming reforms where importers and manufacturers will begin contributing fees from FY27 to fund better recycling infrastructure.
These reforms incentivise packaging designs that are easier to recycle, offering discounts to businesses that proactively choose sustainable materials and practices. In practice this means that whilst non-eco friendly packaging tape may get more expensive, eco friendly packaging tape may not, helping to reduce the price gap between the two.
How to choose the right eco friendly packaging tape
Your ideal eco tape depends on what you’re sealing, how it’s disposed of, and what matters most—recyclability, compostability, or recycled content.
Using the same materials throughout your packaging (Mono-material packaging) will give it the most chance of being recycled. In Australia, Paper tape is emerging as the leading option across most use cases.
Scenario |
Recommended Tape |
| Sealing cardboard boxes | Kraft paper tape – recyclable with the box |
| Soft plastic PET packaging | rPET tape – made from recycled plastic, recylable with soft plastics (where available) |
| Packaging likely going to landfill | Compostable tape – breaks down in landfill |
| Needing printed branding | Custom printed kraft tape – plastic free and brandable |
Types of Eco Friendly Packaging Tape
“To lead the way in sustainable packaging, we’ve built a full eco range across all three major categories—compostable, recyclable, and recycled-content tapes. Our strong ties with the world’s top manufacturers give us early access to the most innovative materials.”
– Colin Dorante, National Sales Manager, Stylus Tapes
Kraft Paper Tapes
Kraft paper tapes are recyclable with cardboard, making them ideal for sealing cartons or boxes.
Look for:
• No silicone meaning it’s plastic free
• FSC-certified options (sustainably sourced)
• Reinforced paper for added strength
During the pulping process, the small amount that isn’t recyclable such as adhesives or the reinforcement, float to the top and are skimmed off. Importantly, it doesn’t contaminate the process and prevent cardboard and paper from being recycled.
Available in white and brown, they are aesthetically pleasing and can blend in with the cartons.
See the Stylus range of Eco Friendly Paper Tapes
Water Activated Paper Tape
Water Activated Tape (WAT) has rapidly (re)gained popularity, and is the choice for e-commerce giants like Amazon. WAT is a dispenser-activated paper tape that:
• Creates a tamper-evident seal
• Is often more cost-effective than plastic-free stick-on tapes
• Works well in high-volume packing stations
Stylus has a plain kraft and reinforced WAT tape.
Compostable Packaging Tape
Compostable tapes made from (PLA (a plant based film) are an effective eco friendly alternative to plastic tape.
They are great for:
• Sealing packaging such as compostable bags and films
• Bundling compostable items such as flowers and garden waste
When buying a compostable tape, make sure they are certified by a credible third party.
Note on Greenwashing: Be wary of terms like “biodegradable”. Not all biodegradable plastics are compostable. Avoid oxo-degradable plastics, which fragment into harmful microplastics.
See the Stylus range of Compostable Packaging Tapes
Recycled PET tape
rPET tapes are made from post-consumer recycled PET, giving waste a second life.
They are:
• Made without virgin plastic, perfect for businesses aiming to maximise recycled content in packaging
• Recyclable with compatible PET packaging streams
See the Stylus range of Recycled plastic tape
Custom printed packaging tape
Want to print on eco-friendly tape? 
Show off your brand and your environmental commitment with custom-printed kraft tape.
It’s:
• Eye-catching
• Plastic-free
• Available in low MOQs
Learn more about our custom printed tape range and how to order.
Eco Friendly Packaging Tape Comparison
Stylus: Australia’s Eco Friendly Tape Leaders
Stylus Tapes is deeply committed to minimizing environmental impact for future generations. Our dedication to sustainability is driven by both market trends and corporate responsibility. Our close relationships with top adhesive tape manufacturers worldwide grant us access to the leading edge of new, eco-friendly tapes.
“We believe in doing the right thing—for our customers and for future generations. As the third generation in a family business, my goal is to ensure we stay relevant, grow, and tread more lightly on the planet”
– Ben Grossberg, Marketing Manager, Stylus Tapes
Finding the right eco tape can be confusing—but it doesn’t need to be. Whether you’re a distributor helping your clients go greener, or a brand trying to meet sustainability goals, Stylus is here to help you make the right call.
Talk to us today and get guidance on the best eco friendly tape for your business.
All the information contained in this guide is given in good faith for guidance only and not specification purposes. The Purchaser shall be responsible for determining the suitability of the product for their purposes.
You can download a copy of this guide in PDF format.
