Product Guide

Compostable and Recycled Board Options for Crash Lock Boxes

Eco-friendly material choices for crash lock packaging, from recycled board to compostable finishes.

4 min readUpdated April 2025

Recycled board options

Most corrugated board used in crash lock boxes already contains a significant proportion of recycled fibre. Standard UK corrugated board typically contains 70-80% recycled content. For brands wanting to go further, 100% recycled board is available.

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Standard recycled (70-80%): the default for most crash lock boxes, no premium cost
100% recycled board: available from most suppliers, may have slightly different print characteristics
Recycled board is slightly weaker than virgin fibre, but perfectly adequate for most applications
Post-consumer recycled (PCR): made specifically from consumer waste, the strongest sustainability claim

Quick answer

Standard crash lock boxes already contain 70-80% recycled content. For stronger sustainability claims, upgrade to 100% recycled board, FSC-certified materials, water-based inks, and PVA adhesive. Compostable coatings are available for food-contact applications. These eco upgrades typically add 5-15% to the per-unit cost but provide genuine environmental credentials.

FSC-certified materials

FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification ensures the virgin fibre in your boxes comes from responsibly managed forests. FSC-certified crash lock boxes can carry the FSC logo, which is recognised by consumers as a trusted sustainability mark.

Most major UK corrugated suppliers offer FSC-certified board as a standard option.

If your supplier holds FSC chain-of-custody certification, the logo can appear on your packaging.

FSC board can contain a mix of certified virgin fibre and recycled content. The two are not mutually exclusive.

More on sustainability: plastic-free packaging trends or crash lock boxes and ESG targets.

Compostable coatings

For food-contact or moisture-resistant applications, traditional lamination uses plastic films. Compostable alternatives include PLA (polylactic acid) coatings, water-based barrier coatings, and wax alternatives derived from plant sources. These maintain the box's full recyclability and compostability.

Eco-friendly inks and adhesives

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Water-based inks: the standard for eco printing, fully recyclable and low VOC emissions
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Soy-based inks: made from renewable soybean oil, excellent colour vibrancy
PVA adhesive: water-soluble, non-toxic, and does not interfere with cardboard recycling
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Avoid UV-cured coatings unless necessary, as they can reduce recyclability
From ProcuraPack

Sustainable crash lock boxes

ProcuraPack offers crash lock boxes in recycled and FSC-certified board with water-based inks as standard.

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Frequently asked questions

Yes, standard corrugated board contains 70-80% recycled content. 100% recycled options are available.

Board made from virgin fibre sourced from responsibly managed forests, verified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

The cardboard itself is compostable. For coated boxes, plant-based compostable coatings are available.

Typically 5-15% more for fully certified options. Standard recycled board carries no premium.

Yes, modern water-based inks offer excellent colour vibrancy and are the default for most crash lock box printing.

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Are Crash Lock Boxes Recyclable?Plastic-Free Packaging in 2025Crash Lock Boxes and ESGFood Brands and Crash Lock Boxes

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Product Guide: Crash Lock Boxes

Expert insights on crash lock packaging, from materials and design to branding and sustainability.

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