Environmentally Friendly Packaging

Our commitment

100% Sustainable, Recyclable Packaging Every Order, Every Time

At Garden Watering, every order leaves our warehouse in fully recyclable packaging. We use cardboard for the vast majority of orders — and when plastic wrap is occasionally needed to protect fragile items, it is always recyclable. Here's why it matters and exactly what we do.

Our packaging commitments

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100% recyclable

Every box and envelope we use is fully recyclable at kerbside just flatten and add to your recycling bin.

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Cardboard first

We use cardboard and paper for the vast majority of orders. Where plastic wrap is occasionally needed, it is always recyclable.

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We reuse boxes

We reuse any packaging that arrives at our warehouse in good condition. A scuffed box from us is our values in action.

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Lower footprint

Lighter cardboard means less fuel to transport your order. Less material means less manufacturing energy.

Why we chose cardboard

When we looked at our packaging options, cardboard stood out clearly as the right choice not just environmentally, but practically. It's strong enough to protect products in transit, light enough to keep delivery emissions low, and recognised by virtually every kerbside recycling programme in the UK.

Cardboard fibres can be recycled up to seven times before they degrade. That means a box we send you today could become packaging, newspaper, or even a cereal box multiple times over before the fibres finally break down and when they do, they biodegrade naturally.

Packaging waste is a growing global problem. Much of it ends up in landfill or waterways, where it causes lasting damage to ecosystems. We think businesses have a responsibility to make better choices and that starts with something as simple as what we put your order in.

Packaging type	Kerbside recyclable	Biodegradable	Reusable	Our choice
Cardboard	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ We use this
Recyclable plastic wrap	✓ At carrier bags/soft plastics points	✗ No	✗ No	✓ Sometimes used for fragile items
Polystyrene	✗ No	✗ No	✗ No	✗ We don't use this
Bubble wrap	✗ Rarely	✗ No	✓ Sometimes	✗ We don't use this
Paper mailers	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ We use these

What we do differently

We reuse packaging wherever possible

If a box or envelope arrives at our warehouse in good condition, we don't throw it away we use it again. This prevents perfectly usable material going to waste and reduces our demand for new packaging. If your order arrives in a box that shows signs of previous use, that's intentional. It means one less new box was needed.

Right-sized packaging every time

Oversized boxes waste cardboard, take up more space in delivery vehicles, and increase emissions per order. We select the smallest appropriate box for each order, packing items securely without unnecessary void fill. Less material in, less material out.

Minimal plastic recyclable when used

We avoid plastic packaging wherever possible. Where we need to protect fragile items in transit, we use crumpled paper or shredded cardboard as our first choice. On rare occasions where plastic wrap is needed for extra protection, we use only recyclable plastic wrap accepted at supermarket carrier bag / soft plastics collection points. We never use polystyrene peanuts or non-recyclable bubble wrap.

Recyclable tape and labels

Even our tape and labels are chosen with recyclability in mind. Paper tape and water-activated gummed tape are both paper-recycling compatible, unlike standard plastic packing tape which can contaminate recycling streams.

Continuously reviewing our choices

Sustainable packaging is not a destination it's an ongoing process. We regularly review our suppliers, materials and methods to find further improvements. If a better option becomes available, we will switch to it.

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You might receive a reused box

If your order arrives in packaging that shows signs of previous use scuffs, previous labels or tape marks please don't be concerned. This is entirely deliberate. We believe a reused box is a better box. Your product inside will be in perfect condition.

How to recycle your packaging

Recycling cardboard correctly takes seconds. Here's exactly what to do when your order arrives:

Remove your items

Unpack your order and remove any paper void fill from inside the box.

Flatten the box

Flatten the cardboard box and any paper mailers completely to save space in your recycling bin.

Keep it dry

Wet cardboard cannot be recycled effectively. Store it indoors or under cover until collection day.

Recycling bin

Place it in your blue or green kerbside recycling bin — cardboard is accepted by virtually all UK local authorities.

Or reuse it

Cardboard boxes are excellent for storage, moving house, children's crafts, or lining garden beds as weed suppressant.

Paper fill

Any paper or shredded card void fill goes straight in the recycling bin too — it's all paper-based.

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Not sure what your council accepts?

Visit recyclenow.com and enter your postcode to see exactly what your local authority accepts in kerbside collections including cardboard, paper and card packaging.

How you can help

Our packaging choices only make a real difference when combined with your actions at home. The recycling system works best when everyone participates and every box correctly recycled is one that doesn't end up in landfill or the ocean.

Beyond recycling, consider reusing your delivery boxes for storage, moving house, or lining raised beds in the garden. Cardboard is a brilliant natural weed suppressant when laid under mulch especially useful for gardeners.

If you care about sustainable packaging, consider sharing what we're doing with friends, family and on social media. The more businesses are held to a higher standard, the faster the industry changes.

Action	Impact
Recycle your cardboard box	Fibres re-enter the manufacturing cycle, reducing demand for virgin pulp and saving trees
Keep cardboard dry before recycling	Wet cardboard cannot be processed keeping it dry ensures it's actually recycled rather than landfilled
Reuse boxes at home	Every reuse delays the energy cost of recycling and extends the useful life of the material
Use cardboard as garden mulch liner	Suppresses weeds naturally, retains moisture and breaks down to feed soil a perfect gardening double use
Tell others about sustainable packaging	Consumer awareness drives business change faster than regulation your voice matters

Questions about our packaging?

We're happy to talk through our approach in more detail. Get in touch or call us on 0333 335 6295 or
Visit Our Showroom

Mon–Sun 9am–5pm, free from most mobiles.

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