Paper Pallet Wrap & Lightweight Stretch Film: Less Plastic, Lower EPR Fees
Most pallet wrap is plastic — but it doesn't all have to be. Our stretchy paper pallet wrap replaces plastic film on many loads, moving that weight into the lower-fee paper category. Where a load still needs film, thinner, stronger film secures it with less plastic by weight. Either way, you put less plastic on the market — and pay less in EPR fees.
Pallet wrap: switch the material where you can, lighten it where you can't
Most of the savings across our EPR range come from switching materials — moving packaging out of plastic and into paper, which sits in a much lower fee category. Pallet wrap used to be the exception, because conventional film is plastic and there was no paper alternative that held a load.
Our stretchy paper pallet wrap changes that for many loads. It's plain paper that stretches and clings like film, so it can replace plastic wrap on suitable pallets — and because it's paper, that weight moves out of the higher-fee plastic category into the lower-fee paper one, recyclable in the same stream as your boxes.
Not every load suits paper — heavy, sharp-cornered or high-stability pallets may still need film. For those, the lever is weight: a thinner, stronger film secures the load with less plastic, so you report less tonnage and pay less. It's the same principle as SMART fluting on our boxes — hit the same performance with less material.
So pallet wrap now has two routes to a lower fee: switch to paper where the load allows (the bigger saving), or lighten the plastic where it doesn't.
Paper pallet wrap: the material switch
Our stretchy paper pallet wrap is the standout option here, because it's the only one that changes the material rather than just reducing it. It's plain paper — no plastic coating — engineered to stretch and cling so it secures a pallet much like film does.
Because it's paper, three things follow:
- It moves to the lower-fee category. That pallet-wrap weight shifts out of plastic and into paper, which carries a much lower base fee per tonne.
- It recycles as a single paper stream. Plain paper with no coating goes in the same recycling as your cardboard boxes — no plastic to separate.
- It removes plastic from the pallet entirely, rather than just thinning it.
A practical note on suitability: paper pallet wrap suits many loads, but not all — very heavy, sharp-cornered or high-stability pallets may still perform better with film. We'll help you work out which of your loads can move to paper and which are better kept on a lighter film.
Paper pallet wrap is a special, made-to-order product rather than an off-the-shelf line — so it's enquiry-led. Tell us your pallet types and volumes and we'll advise and quote.
Enquire about paper pallet wrap
Thinner, stronger film: the same load, less plastic
For loads that still need film, the saving comes from weight rather than material. Modern pre-stretched and high-performance films secure loads at a much lower gauge than conventional film. A thinner film with higher cling and puncture resistance can wrap the same pallet securely while using considerably less plastic by weight.
Two ways that lowers your costs:
- Less tonnage reported. Fewer grams of film per pallet, multiplied across every pallet you ship, is a direct reduction in the plastic weight you place on the market — and EPR charges per tonne.
- Lower film spend. Using less film per pallet usually reduces your material cost per pallet too, on top of the fee saving.
For high-volume operations wrapping hundreds or thousands of pallets, even a small gauge reduction compounds into a meaningful weight — and fee — reduction.
Recycled-content film and the Plastic Packaging Tax
There's a second saving available on film, separate from EPR. UK Plastic Packaging Tax applies to plastic packaging that doesn't meet the minimum recycled-content threshold. Stretch film made with sufficient recycled content can be exempt from the tax, while still performing as a strong, reliable wrap.
So on film, two levers work together: less weight (lower EPR fee) and recycled content (potential PPT relief).
Shop our pallet wrap range
Not sure which loads can move to paper, or which gauge holds your pallets at lower weight? Our team can review your pallet spec and recommend the right mix.
Paper pallet wrap (special / made to order)
Stretchy plain-paper wrap that clings and secures pallets in place of plastic film — a true material switch to the lower-fee paper category, recyclable as one stream.
Machine stretch film
High-performance film for automated wrapping lines — pre-stretched & nano film grades secure loads at a low gauge, reducing plastic weight per pallet across high volumes.
Hand stretch film
Easy-to-apply film for manual wrapping — lightweight, high-cling grades that hold loads securely with less plastic than standard hand film.
Pre-stretched film
Film stretched during manufacture so it applies with less effort and less material — significantly lighter per pallet while maintaining load security.
Recycled-content stretch film
Strong, reliable film made with recycled content — reduces reliance on virgin plastic and can qualify for Plastic Packaging Tax relief while keeping load performance.
What you could save
Two routes, depending on the load. Switching to paper pallet wrap moves that weight into the lower-fee paper category — the bigger saving, where your loads allow. For loads that stay on film, a lighter, stronger gauge means less plastic per pallet, less tonnage reported and a lower fee — with possible Plastic Packaging Tax relief on top if you move to recycled-content film.
Tell us your pallet types, current film gauge and volumes, and we'll advise which loads can switch to paper and model the weight — and fee — you could save across the rest.
Explore the full EPR packaging range
Every product below is chosen to help lower your EPR fees — by switching to a lower-fee material category, cutting weight, or keeping packaging a single recyclable stream. Start with the EPR-friendly packaging hub for how the fees work, or go straight to a product family:
- Mono-material mailing bags — paper mailers that replace two-material bubble-lined bags, assessed as a single paper component.
- Paper protective packaging & void fill — paper void fill, bubble wrap and honeycomb that replace plastic, recycled in one paper stream.
- Recyclable cardboard boxes — the lowest-fee mainstream material, with SMART fluting to cut weight without losing strength.
- Paper tape & closures — gummed paper tape that seals boxes and recycles with them as one fibre stream.
- Lightweight stretch film — thinner, stronger film that puts less plastic by weight on every pallet. You're already here!
Not sure where the biggest saving is? Send us your current packaging and we'll model it.