Why We’ve Switched to Sustainable Packaging (and Why You Should Too)

At MOBAD, we’ve always believed in producing products that last, and that same thinking applies to how we package and ship them. Packaging isn’t just about protecting what’s inside, it’s also about our responsibility to reduce waste wherever we can.

For years, we’ve been buying used cardboard for our packaging, and as we’ve grown busier, the need for packaging has grown with us. Instead of cutting corners, we’ve doubled down, buying pallets of used cardboard directly from SUEZ Recycling & Recovery. This keeps perfectly good materials in circulation and prevents them from becoming waste, while also helping us keep up with demand as we expand.

Used Boxes Being Sorted at SUEZ Landor Street for Re-use

Saying Goodbye to Plastic Tape

The bigger shift has been our move away from plastic packing tape. We’ve now switched to a strong paper tape that seals just as securely. Yes, it costs more but as the sender, it’s our responsibility to package products in a way that keeps them safe in transit and ensures that what arrives at the other end can be recycled with ease. That means our boxes can now go straight into the recycling stream, no fiddly peeling of plastic tape required. We’ve also replaced the traditional plastic “document enclosed” wallets used for address labels with a paper based alternative.

It’s another small change, but it means that every part of our packaging, from the cardboard to the tape, to the labels can be recycled together. No hidden plastics, no fiddly sorting, just straightforward packaging that does its job without creating unnecessary waste.

We’ve just completed a sticker order of 38,000 stickers headed to 144 different locations and every single package was fully recyclable. No separating, no extra waste, no hassle for the receiver. Just simple, responsible packaging that protects the product and respects the environment. That’s the case for our smaller packages, where everything from the cardboard to the tape and labels can go straight into recycling. For larger, irregular shipments, we’re still using paper tape but sometimes have to add cling and polystyrene to make sure goods arrive safely. It’s not ideal, but until there’s a reliable alternative, product protection has to come first, so we’ll keep looking for better solutions as they become available.

Stickers Sustainably Packaged for Delivery

A Total No Brainer

Some might argue it’s “just tape” or “just a label wallet,” but multiplied across thousands of packages, the impact is huge. Businesses like Amazon can rely on self-sealing cardboard packaging, thanks to their volume and uniform box sizes.

For us, shipping bespoke items of all shapes and sizes, that isn’t practical. But the principle is the same: do what you can to make packaging smarter, cleaner, and less wasteful. And while the paper tape and paper wallets are more expensive, we see them as non-negotiable.

Packaging is part of the customer experience, and it’s part of our responsibility as a business. For us, making the switch was a total no brainer and we think more businesses, large and small, should consider it too.

Boxes Being Packaged with Paper Tape

Join Us This Recycle Week

As we start this years’ Recycle Week, now’s the perfect time to think about the impact your packaging has. If you’re shipping goods, ask yourself: is there a better way? Could you swap just one material for a more sustainable alternative?

We encourage others to do the same, because sustainability isn’t a nice-to-have anymore. It’s the only way forward.