At Bindle, we’ve always believed that the outside should be just as considered as what’s inside. Beautiful, responsible packaging doesn’t simply protect a product, it tells a story. It signals what a business stands for before a customer even unties the ribbon.
And here in Australia, packaging is a big story. Each festive season alone, we use more than 150,000 kilometres of wrapping paper, enough to loop the globe four times. It’s a startling reminder of why thoughtful packaging isn’t a December-only conversation; it’s a year-round responsibility for brands that care about impact, reputation and customer experience.
Whether you’re wrapping gifts in-store, preparing parcels for e-commerce, or curating hampers for clients, sustainable packaging is one of the simplest, smartest ways to elevate your brand. Here are a few tips below:
Is wrapping paper actually recyclable?
Not always. Glitter, metallic foils and velvet finishes may look festive, but most of them head straight for landfill. Even most tissue paper, fragile, delicate and used everywhere, can’t be recycled due to its short fibres.
Sustainability Victoria put it best: "Use as little as possible, and choose packaging made from recycled materials that can be recycled or composted again."
That’s why, at Bindle, we embrace packaging made from recycled, recyclable and reusable materials, and avoid anything that complicates the recycling process. Instead of glossy finishes or plastic tape, we lean into textures that feel natural, materials that age gracefully, and designs that can be placed straight into the recycling bin or compost without guilt.
Small choices add up, especially when multiplied across thousands of gifts.
Beyond paper: eco-friendly packaging alternatives
Sustainable gifting doesn’t have to mean “plain” or “minimal.” In fact, alternative packaging offers an opportunity to upsell, differentiate and create memorable unboxing moments.
Consider these options:
- Recyclable: Cardboard, kraft paper, aluminium.
- Recycled: Materials with a past life and a lighter footprint.
- Compostable: Paper, cardboard and certified bioplastics that break down naturally
- Reusable: Tote bags, jars, baskets, packaging your customers will use again and again.
Furoshiki (Japanese wrapping cloth) and beeswax wraps are beautiful, tactile options that elevate the experience and reduce waste. They turn a simple purchase into something lasting.
Reducing waste for online orders
As online shopping accelerates, packaging waste grows with it. Small switches make a difference:
- Swap tissue paper and bubble wrap for honeycomb paper
- Reuse shipping boxes
- Choose recyclable or compostable mailers
- Avoid plastic wherever possible
- Add natural touches like dried foliage rather than synthetic décor
Research from Veolia shows that ~80% of Australians consider packaging when making purchasing decisions. Customers notice and reward brands that get it right.
Sustainable packaging is no longer a trend — it’s an expectation
Compostable materials, reusable designs and circular thinking are shaping the future of packaging. Consumers are choosing brands aligned with their values, and packaging is one of the clearest signals of your commitment.
Gift wrapping isn’t going anywhere. But how we wrap, the care, the materials, the intention, is evolving.
At Bindle, sustainability is stitched into every decision we make, from the curated products inside our hampers to the low-impact packaging that carries them. Because beauty and responsibility should never be mutually exclusive.
Thoughtful packaging delights your customers.
Thoughtful packaging respects the planet.
And thoughtful packaging builds the kind of brand people remember.
