Paper packing tapes - an environmental “must have” for sealing boxes

Paper tapes - your eco-contribution to caring for the planet 

The European Commission indicates that, on average, each person living in Europe generates almost 190 kg of packaging waste per year. A particular increase in this regard occurred between 2009 and 2019, when the amount of this type of waste increased by up to one-fifth (the largest increase was recorded in plastic packaging). Moreover, the outlook is not at all optimistic - the OECD, or Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, indicated in one of its reports that by 2050, the amount of waste generated will increase by up to 70 per cent.*

The response to this is specific legal solutions to reduce the use of packaging materials, especially those made of plastic. The same solutions are also intended to promote recycling - both the processing of plastics that have already been used and the selection of recycled ones. 

Antalis paper packing tapes are perfectly suited to meet these requirements, as they are highly recyclable. What's more, they are also environmentally friendly in a broader sense, especially those coated with a solvent-free adhesive made from natural rubber (specifically: rubber tree latex). As a result, they do not produce additional toxic substances that then end up in the water, soil or air.

Paper tapes - strength and adhesive power 

One myth that we definitely want to dispel is the one about the poor strength and adhesive power of paper tapes. Firstly, this type of performance is not so much determined by the material of the tape, but by the quality of the product in general. 

Secondly, the adhesives used to make paper models are the same substances as those used to make all other tapes. They are fully effective, as confirmed by the relevant tests carried out by experts and by customer satisfaction. When it comes to the natural rubber adhesive substance already mentioned, its big advantage is that it catches adhesion quickly at a high level. In addition, it is resistant to moisture and a wide range of temperatures. Another option is to use hot-melt paper tapes. In this case, the binder is synthetic rubber. It, too, is highly adhesive, flexible and also moisture-resistant.

For special tasks, you can choose either models additionally reinforced with glass fibre mesh or paper gummed tapes. The latter are equipped with a water-activated adhesive (a permanent bond is formed after sufficient water has evaporated from the adhesive).

Not only is the quality of the tape important, but also the adhesive technique!

Importantly, the security of our shipment depends not only on choosing the right tape, but also on how it is used. The technique should be matched to the dimensions of the shipment. Lighter boxes are best secured with tape using the U-shape method. This involves taping the parcel along the longest sides. We start taping at the side wall and pull the tape down through the bottom of the parcel, then through the next side wall and on top of the carton along the flap joint up to the side wall we started with.

On the other hand, heavier parcels up to 40 kg are best secured using the U&L bonding technique. In this case, we do the same as before, but add two more strips of tape on the top of the carton and more specifically on its edges - perpendicular to the U made.

Large-size parcels over 40 kg, on the other hand, should be additionally secured with tape along the edges of the side walls - this provides the best protection for the box against opening
 

High level of application comfort under all conditions

A major advantage of paper tapes is also their high level of comfort. What exactly does this mean? As far as the sticking action itself is concerned, they are very easy to tear off manually, so you can basically handle them with one hand (although, of course, they can also be placed in suitable dispensers). But that's not all! Other distinctive features of paper tapes include:
 

• Facilitating segregating waste - when the cardboard box has just been sealed with paper tape, there is no need to tear it off before sorting the waste. This is because both items can end up in the paper bins. Reminder: plastic tapes should be peeled off and then disposed of separately in the mixed waste bin;
   
• The texture of the Kraft paper allows writing freely not only with a marker, but also with a regular pen or even a pencil. Therefore, you can quickly and easily mark each parcel;
   
• Not leaving glue residues - the Antalis paper tapes have a high level of adhesion and at the same time can be removed in an aesthetically pleasing and non-destructive manner, which is particularly important in the context of cardboard boxes (this gives them an additional ecological advantage - you can easily reuse them again);
   
• Wide range of applications - these tape models are perfect for securing both small parcels, such as those in envelopes, and large parcels. Our pro-tip: you can also use them for product labelling!
   

The quality and eco-friendliness of paper tapes is an established fact. What's more, using this type of item is also a great way of building an image as a planet-conscious and planet-caring business, which is what most customers expect these days. Eco-trends make sense - make sure you incorporate them into your business!