Why Gummed Paper Tape Is a Smarter Choice for Eco-Conscious Shipping

More and more, customers care that the companies they support are mindful of their environmental impact. That's why sustainable shipping is becoming increasingly common. Still, plastic-based tapes are everywhere. You'll find them sealing packages in warehouses, fulfillment centers, and loading docks across the country.

However, that's starting to change. Brands looking to cut waste without cutting corners are switching to gummed paper tape. It's paper-based, water-activated, and designed to hold up under pressure - literally. It's also recyclable, biodegradable, and highly customizable with your company's logos or branding.

If your shipping process still relies heavily on plastic tape, it might be time to make the switch. Here's why gummed paper tape checks every box for businesses that aim to ship smarter and greener.

What Is Gummed Paper Tape?

Gummed paper tape, sometimes also called water-activated tape, has a paper backing with a dried adhesive layer. When it gets wet, the adhesive reacts with the surface of a corrugated cardboard box, creating a secure bond that plastic tape just can't match.

Unlike pressure-sensitive plastic tape, which sticks to the box's surface but doesn't integrate with it, gummed paper tape actually fuses with the fibers of the box. It's also naturally tamper-evident. Once sealed, any attempt to open the package leaves a clear and immediate mark - no extra labeling or fancy tech required.

What all of this means for you is fewer peel-offs, less tampering risk, and stronger protection during transit.

Between its paper base and its strong adhesion, gummed paper tape offers both eco-friendly tape advantages and serious performance benefits. It's a smart upgrade if you can't afford shipping failures.

The Sustainability Edge

If you're trying to cut down on packaging waste, paper tape offers a cleaner alternative.

Recyclable: Gummed paper tape is fully recyclable, along with the box it's stuck to. You don't have to peel the tape off before tossing the box in the recycling bin.

Biodegradable: Unlike plastic tape, paper tape doesn't leave behind synthetic waste. Gummed paper tape is biodegradable, so the paper backing breaks down naturally over time, and the adhesive doesn't shed microplastics. That's a win for companies trying to reduce their environmental impact without sacrificing their secure, tamper-proof shipping.

Renewable paper stock: Many of Tape Jungle's gummed paper tape options are made from renewable sources like kraft paper or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified stock. That means you're using a material that supports responsible forestry practices.

Easy to seal with less tape: Because water-activated paper tape forms a stronger seal, it often takes one strip to do what might take plastic tape three strips to accomplish. You use fewer materials, create less waste, and get a tighter seal.

Performance Benefits Beyond Sustainability

Eco-friendly tape is great in theory, but it also needs to hold up in practice. Gummed paper tape usually exceeds our customers' expectations.

Strong Enough for Heavier Loads

Water activation gives gummed paper tape a performance advantage. Once you apply the tape, the adhesive penetrates the cardboard's surface and creates a bond that pressure-sensitive plastic tapes can't match. One strip can hold a box shut - even if it's packed with heavy inventory - without curling, peeling, or needing additional strips for reinforcement.

Plastic tape tends to lose grip in cold, damp, or dusty conditions. Paper tape keeps its tight seal across a wider range of environments, which makes it a reliable option both in climate-controlled warehouses and on less predictable loading docks.

Cleaner Packaging, Inside and Out

First impressions matter. Packages sealed with gummed paper tape look more professional. The tape tears cleanly and lays flat, with no wrinkles or jagged edges. That makes a significant difference, especially for your customer order shipments.

Taking it to the next level, Tape Jungle also offers custom-printed paper tape. You can brand your packaging while sealing it securely without requiring extra stickers or labels. The printed tape does all the heavy lifting.

Built-In Tamper Resistance

Tamper tape doesn't need to be fancy. If someone tries to break a gummed paper tape seal, the damage shows. That alone helps reduce theft during shipping or storage.

And since you only need one strip to seal a box, it's easier to spot if someone has tried to tamper with a package.

Cost Considerations and Long-Term Savings

On the surface, gummed paper tape might look like a pricier choice. Per roll, it usually is. But the math doesn't stop at the price tag.

You use less paper tape than you would plastic. One strip is often enough to seal a package. There's no need for the classic three-strip "H" pattern that most plastic tape requires. That means you use fewer rolls overall and spend less time and effort sealing boxes.

Fewer sealing failures also mean fewer returns. Packages that burst open in transit mean replacement costs, customer complaints, and a lot of unnecessary backtracking. Paper tape holds firm, even when the box is under stress, so customers receive their packages unopened and undamaged.

If you're using branded tape, there's another upside. Instead of buying custom labels or printed plastic tape, you can print directly onto gummed paper tape. That gives you logo visibility and security in one line item.

The savings add up:

• Less tape used per shipment
• Reduced damage and return rates
• Less labor time for sealing
• No need for additional branding stickers or labels

Over time, that turns into real money saved, especially for high-volume shippers trying to tighten up their operations without taking shortcuts.

Ideal Use Cases

Not every business needs tamper tape or custom-branded packaging. But if you ship inventory regularly, gummed paper tape will fit right into your process.

Some examples of the types of companies that use paper tape include:

• E-commerce shops and subscription boxes: Customers pay attention to packaging. Gummed paper tape adds a clean, branded touch without relying on plastic.
• Sustainable brands and retailers: Eco-friendly paper tape reinforces your environmental values at the point of delivery. No greenwashing, just more environmentally conscious materials.
• High-value or fragile shipments: When you need a seal you can trust, water-activated tape holds tighter than plastic and shows any sign of tampering.
• Warehouses upgrading for sustainability: Gummed paper tape is easy to integrate into your shipping process and works well in high-speed, high-volume operations. It's a small change that makes a significant impact.

Who's Already Using It

We supply paper tape across industries, to subscription box companies trying to cut down on plastic and manufacturers who want better load security in transit.

If you're sealing boxes regularly and want something stronger, smarter, and more sustainable, paper tape deserves a spot in your operations.

Gummed Paper Tape Options From Tape Jungle

At Tape Jungle, we carry several gummed paper tape options to suit different packaging needs, from standard shipping to high-weight cartons. Each one supports eco-conscious packaging without compromising on durability.

Explore our paper tape options, including double-sided and kraft paper, for a more sustainable packing line.

Water-Activated Paper Packing Tape

This natural kraft, economy-grade, light-duty, water-activated tape contains fiberglass and polyester reinforcement.

With its remoistenable starch adhesive, this tape works well on recycled cartons and non-unitized loads.

Double-Sided Crepe Paper Tape

This 4.3 mil crepe paper tape has a double-sided coating of powerful rubber/resin adhesive and bonds well to most surfaces. It's frequently used in textile manufacturing, printing, die-making and die-cutting, carpet installation, and repairing golf club grips.

Colored Flatback Tape

Our pressure-sensitive colored flatback paper tape is coated with rubber adhesive. With a medium tensile strength, this moisture-resistant tape is available in either black or red.

Double-Sided Flatback Paper Tape

This bleached flatback paper tape is coated on both sides with rubber/resin adhesive. With great adhesion and strong shear characteristics, this tape bonds to most surfaces and works well for high-stress applications.

Double-Sided Paper Tape With Acrylic Adhesive

Coated on both sides with strong water-based acrylic adhesive, this white paper tape comes in both 3.5 mil and 6.7 mil options.

Printable Colored Flatback Tape

Want to add your logo or messaging? Our colored flatback paper tape with high-performance natural rubber resin adhesive comes in white, red, yellow, and orange. Its flat surface provides high-quality printing, and its bond strength is outstanding.

Shipping Smarter Starts With Better Tape

Switching to gummed paper tape is an environmentally conscious decision that also provides your operation with more securely sealed boxes, less waste, and potentially branded packaging. Gummed paper tape holds stronger, looks cleaner, and sends the right signal to the people receiving your shipments.

Plastic tape still has its place in some settings, but for companies that care about sustainability and performance, paper tape is the obvious choice.