Environmental claims on paper packaging: what you can and cannot say

A false claim does more harm than a good product does good. Say what you can document.

1 min readLast updated: 27 October 2026Biyopak Packaging

Paper packaging has a strong environmental story, but every claim needs evidence behind it. "Recyclable", "recycled content", "biodegradable", "compostable" and "FSC® certified" each say something different. This guide explains what each claim rests on and how to use it in marketing copy.

Claims and their basis

Claim	What it says	Basis
Recyclable	The material can enter the existing paper recycling stream	Single material (paper), no coating
Recycled content	Part or all of the raw material is recycled paper	Supplier declaration, FSC® Recycled label
FSC® certified	The raw material comes from a responsible source and is traceable	Valid chain of custody certificate and code
Biodegradable	Breaks down over time under natural conditions	Material-specific; time and conditions must be stated
Compostable	Breaks down under specific composting conditions	Tested to a standard; no general statements
Carbon footprint	Life cycle emissions of the product	Life cycle assessment; not claimed without a number

What does Biyopak say?

Our products are paper-based and are recycled together with paper waste; our raw material is recycled paper. We do not give a carbon footprint figure unless we have published a product-level life cycle assessment. The documents are on our certificates page.

Rules for marketing copy

Tie the claim to the product, as in "our pack is recycled with paper waste".
Put the evidence next to it: the FSC® code, the declaration, a link to the certificate.
Avoid generic adjectives: "eco-friendly", "green" and "nature-friendly" prove nothing on their own.
Do not make a single claim for a mixed pack; if the filling is paper but the tape is plastic, the pack is not "fully recyclable".

Checklist for buyers

Ask your supplier for the certificate code, the material declaration and the recycled content percentage. If you will use the FSC® label on your own product, you must hold a chain of custody certificate yourself; details in the FSC® guide.

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