Repak Paper Packaging Design Summary Guide (1) - Flipbook - Page 1
Paper Packaging Design
Summary Guide
Repak plays a central role in improving the ef昀椀ciency and optimisation of Ireland’s
packaging journey, from design through to recycling. Working with over 3,500 Members
across Ireland to promote a circular economy of reduce, reuse, re昀椀ll and recycle.
Did yo
know?u
Paper Packaging Design
Considerations
It’s important for producers to consider all aspects of paper packaging choices as
design will affect reusability, 昀椀nal recycling process and the level of EPR fees paid.
This summary guide provides guidance on best practice across a range of materials.
Best Practice
• Use only when functionally necessary
(e.g. moisture, grease, or air barrier).
• Keep below 5% of total pack weight.
Plastics
• Easily separable plastic layers.
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Avoid
• Plastic laminations (PE, PP, PET) bonded
permanently to paper or hard to remove
components (e.g. windows, liners).
• PVC and compostable or biodegradable
plastics.
• Oxo-degradable plastics are banned under
the EU’s SUP Directive, as well as plastic
cutlery, plates, straws and EPS food containers.
Lamination
Labelling
Adhesives
Inks
Fibre Based
Materials
Wax Papers &
Metallic Foil
• Use structural design, 昀椀bre selection, or
paper thickness instead of lamination.
• Plastic 昀椀lm laminations (PE, PP, PET).
• Water‑based dispersion coatings and
easily separated layers.
• Paper labels, matching the 昀椀bre type
of the packaging.
• PP, PE or PET labels, as well as metallised or foil.
• Reduce label size or print directly onto
the packaging.
• Water‑soluable adhesives and starch
or PVOH‑based glues.
• Hot‑melt, solvent‑based EVA adhesives that
form ‘stickies’.
• Water‑based, de‑inkable inks, with
light coverage and simple designs.
• Solvent‑based, very dark solid ink coverage
or anything metallic or 昀氀uorescent.
• Mono‑material, certi昀椀ed 昀椀bres, such as
FSC® and PEFC™.
• Bamboo, palm leaf, bagasse and other plant
昀椀bre materials.
• Aim for ≥95% paper content by weight.
• Uncoated, wax-free greaseproof
papers.
• Matte 昀椀nishes and printed effects.
• Foil embellishments and paraf昀椀n or bio‑wax
coatings.
