As every passing year brings with it a greater focus on sustainable practices, businesses are increasingly looking for ways to reduce packaging waste and their environmental impact. The ‘tape’ used in securing packaging is an often overlooked but important consideration, but businesses are now adopting water activated tape instead of plastic alternatives. The question is: what is water activated tape?
This blog post will be answering that question as well as providing advice on how to use water activated tape and how to apply water activated tape to improve your packaging solutions.
What Is Water Activated Tape?
Water activated tape, also known as gummed paper tape, is a paper-based packaging tape that has been designed as a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic options. It is made from strong paper mixed with a starch-based adhesive coating that activates when exposed to water. Once this process has been activated, it creates a permanent bond with the cardboard, providing a secure and reliable seal.
Most plastic tapes are difficult to recycle, unlike water activated tape which is biodegradable, repulpable and recyclable. It is becoming a more widely used solution by businesses looking to reduce packaging waste while maintaining strong protection for their parcels, cartons and shipments.
How Does Water Activated Tape Work?
Water activated tape works by using the moisture from the water to activate the adhesive layer of the tape. When the water is applied, the starch-based adhesive is activated and becomes a hard tack gel that penetrates the fibres of the cardboard surface. This creates a strong bond that securely seals the package and prevents tampering. Unlike traditional plastic tapes that attach themselves to the top of the box, water activated tape actually forms part of the box’s structure. This creates a highly durable, reliable and secure seal that is ideal for shipping cartons and parcels.
What Makes Water Activated Tape a Sustainable Choice?
Plastic-free
Water activated tape provides businesses with a paper-based, recyclable alternative to traditional polypropylene tape. This system helps reduce plastic use within packaging operations and supports a reduced reliance on damaging materials.
Recyclable with cardboard
Outside of its robust reliability, water activated tape can often be recycled along with the cardboard box they are supporting. This reduces the need for time-consuming tape removal when recycling packing items.
Reduced packaging waste
Because water activated tape bonds directly with cardboard fibres, it creates a secure seal using only a single strip in many applications. This helps prevent unnecessary tape usage and reduces overall packaging waste.
No harsh chemicals
Unlike many traditional plastic tapes, water activated tape is manufactured without volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or harsh chemicals. This makes it a cleaner choice for businesses looking to improve their packaging processes.
Biodegradable backing
Unreinforced water activated tape features a biodegradable paper backing that can break down naturally over time. This provides a more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic-based packaging tapes.
Where Can Water Activated Tape Be Used?
Water activated tape is primarily and best used for sealing cardboard boxes and parcels, where it provides a strong and secure closure for a wide range of packaging needs. It is a popular choice for businesses that want reliable carton sealing while also supporting their sustainability efforts.
Common applications include e-commerce shipping, retail fulfilment, warehousing and logistics operations, export packaging and general carton sealing. Whether sending individual customer orders or managing larger-scale shipments, water activated tape offers a durable solution that helps protect goods during transit while supporting more environmentally responsible packaging practices.
How To Use Water-Activated Tape
Measure The Required Length
Measure the length of tape that is needed to cover package seam, making sure to add an extra 2-3 inches to fold over and secure the sides of the box. Then cut the tape to size.
Activate The Adhesive
Use a sponge that has been dampened with warm water, swipe in one smooth, fluid motion to apply water evenly across the length of the cut tape.
Apply To The Box
Place the now wet tape over the box seam and press firmly to ensure full contact has been made between the water activated paper tape and the box.
Allow The Bond To Form
Leave the tape to set and allow the adhesive to bond fully with the cardboard fibres for a secure seal.
How To Apply Water Activated Tape Efficiently
Applying water activated tape is simple when done by hand, making it suitable for smaller packaging tasks. For businesses sending larger volumes, a dedicated water activated tape dispenser can make the process quicker and easier. These dispensers will help you apply the right amount of tape each time, improving consistency while reducing waste.
Whether your packaging department is using a manual or automatic dispenser, the right setup can help speed up packing, create secure seals and keep packaging operations running smoothly.
Why Businesses Are Switching To Water Activated Tape
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Stronger parcel security
Water activated tape provides a reliable seal that helps protect packages during handling and delivery. Its tamper-evident design means any attempt to remove the tape can leave clear signs of interference. -
Improved sustainability credentials
More businesses are choosing water activated tape as part of their efforts to reduce plastic use and adopt more sustainable packaging solutions. Its paper-based construction supports greener packaging practices. -
Professional presentation
The simple, clean appearance of water activated tape gives parcels a high-quality finish. It helps create a professional look that cements your branding. -
Operational efficiency
Designed for busy packing environments, water activated tape offers a quick and effective way to seal boxes. It helps improve consistency, reduce material waste and keep packaging processes running smoothly.
Is Water Activated Tape Right For Your Business?
Water activated tape is a great choice that is quickly becoming the most popular for e-commerce businesses, warehouses and brands looking to improve their sustainability efforts. It is ideal for companies shipping high volumes of parcels and wanting a reliable, professional sealing solution. As the adhesive requires water activation, using a dedicated dispenser can help improve speed, accuracy and efficiency.
Explore our range of water activated tape solutions and find the right option for your packaging needs.
