Most environmentally friendly packaging either feels too expensive, too flimsy, or too complicated to actually use in real-world shipping. And when you are packing orders at your dining table or in the back of a café, you do not have time to babysit materials that do not work.
The good news is that sustainable packaging does not have to mean complicated or fragile. There are practical, small-business-friendly options that protect your products, look good, and still align with what today’s customers care about.
Below are seven packaging materials that real small brands use every day, whether they ship candles, clothing, stationery, or handmade goods.
7 Small Business-Friendly Environmentally-Friendly Packaging Options
Let's explore seven practical, planet-friendly materials that work beautifully for small businesses. Each has its own strengths, and the right one for you depends on what you're shipping and what matters most to your brand.
1. Biodegradable Mailers
Yes, mailers! The same ones you already use, just better for the planet.
NOYO’s biodegradable mailers are made using D2W material, a specially engineered plastic that is designed to break down much faster than traditional poly mailers.
Instead of sitting in landfill for hundreds of years, D2W material begins to degrade after its useful life, breaking down into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass through natural oxidation and microbial activity. Under normal disposal conditions, this process takes around 24 to 48 months, depending on the environment. That is a huge difference compared to standard plastic, which can last for generations.
They are great for shipping clothing, stationery, prints, and subscription boxes. They are strong, lightweight, and still protect your products during transit.
BONUS: Our hand-drawn designs... you will not find anywhere else. They are all created in-house. We release new styles for different seasons and moods, from soft florals to bold patterns, so your packaging can match your brand and the time of year.
You get planet-friendly packaging that actually looks good, not just something that feels like a compromise.
We also offer bubble and padded mailers (still eco-friendly!) for more fragile items.
2. Recycled Paper and Cardboard
These are boxes, mailers, tissue paper, and void fill made from post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content.
These are great for pretty much everything—boxes for candles, mailers for prints, tissue for wrapping gifts, shredded fill for cushioning
It's also widely available, cost-effective, accepted by most curbside recycling programs, and can be reused multiple times. Corrugated boxes can be recycled 7-10 times before the fibers break down too much.
Things to know: Not great with moisture unless treated, and fragile items might need extra padding. But for most dry goods, it's a reliable workhorse.
For small businesses, this is a great deal too. It's affordable, easy to source, and customers already know how to recycle it. No complicated disposal instructions needed.
3. Glassine Bags
Glassine is one of those materials people often mistake for wax paper, but it is something much better. It is made from smooth, compressed wood pulp, which makes it biodegradable, compostable, and recyclable. The result is a translucent, soft-touch paper that protects products without hiding them.
Most glassine comes in rolls that you cut yourself to size. At NOYO, we skip that step and offer pre-sized glassine bags in different sizes, so packing is faster and more consistent, especially when you are handling lots of small orders.
Glassine is ideal for jewellery, soaps, candles, stationery, baked goods, and small gifts. It is naturally grease-resistant, acid-free, and safe for direct food contact, which means your products stay clean and presentable.
More than anything, it looks good. Glassine adds a soft, boutique feel to your packaging, letting customers see what is inside while still keeping it protected. It is a simple way to make your unboxing feel more thoughtful without adding waste.
Glassine Bags 14.1" x 18.6"
Measured at 14.1" x 18.6", ideal for packing large or multiple items.
Made from wood pulps, they're smooth, slightly glossy paper bags that provide an eco-friendly alternative to plastic garment bags. Ideal for safely securing items before packaging and shipping.
Designed to fit seamlessly into our 14.5" x 19" mailers!
4. Biodegradable Bubble Wrap Alternatives
These are the materials that replace plastic bubble wrap. Instead of air-filled plastic, biodegradable cushioning is made from recycled paper, plant-based films, or honeycomb paper structures that expand and fold around your products to protect them in transit.
They are designed for fragile items like ceramics, glassware, candles, and electronics, giving you the shock absorption you need without relying on plastic.
They can cost a little more than standard bubble wrap, and some styles take up more space, which can slightly affect shipping. But for brands shipping breakables, this is one of the easiest swaps to make without risking damaged products.
5. Kraft Paper Tape
Paper packing tape does the same job as plastic tape, just without the plastic. It is made from strong paper with a pressure-sensitive or water-activated adhesive that bonds tightly to cardboard and keeps boxes sealed during shipping.
It works for all types of packages, from small mailers to full-size shipping cartons. Because it is paper-based, it can be recycled right along with the box, so customers do not need to peel it off before tossing their packaging into the recycling bin.
The seal is surprisingly strong, and many paper tapes can also be custom printed with logos or sustainability messages, which adds a subtle branding touch to every shipment.
And yes, we offer these at NOYO, too. So you can switch your tape along with your mailers and boxes, without having to source from multiple suppliers.
6. Cornstarch Packing Peanuts
These are the plant-based version of traditional packing peanuts. Instead of Styrofoam, they are made from cornstarch and other natural starches, which means they are lightweight, non-toxic, and designed to break down after use.
They are great for filling empty space in boxes and cushioning lighter fragile items, keeping products from shifting around during shipping.
One of the best parts is what happens when customers open their package. These peanuts dissolve in water and can be composted at home, which often comes as a fun little surprise. No mess, no guilt, no bin full of plastic.
They do not love humidity and they are not really reusable, and they do take up a bit of storage space. But for brands that care about the unboxing experience, they turn something as boring as void fill into something people actually remember.
NOYO has everything you need for small business and eco friendly packaging!
If you are trying to make your packaging more eco-friendly without going down the expensive custom route, these swaps are a really good place to start.
At NOYO, you can get biodegradable mailers, glassine bags, and paper tape, and more all in one place. No complicated sourcing, no huge minimums, just packaging that works for small, busy businesses that want to do better.
Think of it as your one-stop shop for planet-friendly packaging that still looks good, ships well, and makes your brand feel more thoughtful from the moment the parcel arrives.
