Frequently asked questions

Yes — seal integrity and leak prevention are engineering priorities for this format. Our pouches are specified and tested for transit and home use durability. Spout type, size, and filling method all factor into the specification. We confirm all of this before production.

It's up to you! We have options for both solid block colours and also opaque (see-through) colours.

For each new custom packaging order, there may be tooling costs, which refer to print plates and mould costs used during the production of your packaging. These costs are one-off, as your tooling can be used for future runs.

Potentially via soft plastics drop-off if PA/nylon content is under 10% of total structure. However, food contamination is a practical barrier to recycling in most real-world applications — consumers don't clean meat packaging before disposal. We won't make clean recyclability claims for these formats without that qualification.

No, our bio-based recyclable materials are not compostable. They designed to perform like their virgin plastic counterparts but instead of being made from fossil fuels are made from plants, carbon negative and designed to be recycled. We have plenty of other compostable options if you are looking for something made from plants and compostable!

If you require a waterproof mailer, you are best to choose either our compostable or post-consumer recycled (PCR) mailers. Our paper mailers are water resistant and will withstand most conditions during transit but aren't designed to be left out in the wet.

Yes, our paper mailers and mailer boxes are made using recycled board and can be recycled in any paper waste stream.

Yes. Our standard rLDPE poly mailer uses 100% post-consumer recycled content — not a blend. GRS certified.

Yes, if your order for custom packaging meets the minimum order quantity (MOQ)for your product we can customise the size, print and optional features for you.

Yes. We recommend sampling for any new format or material combination. Contact us to arrange.

We have a range of padded mailers in either compostable, PCR recycled or paper honeycomb material that will provide a level of protection during shipping. Get in contact if you're unsure about sending your product in one of our mailers and we'll provide some guidance.

Possibly — but product-packaging compatibility must be confirmed through sampling and testing before production. Moisture and microbial activity in compost products can degrade compostable packaging prematurely. Shelf life, moisture content, and storage conditions all affect the outcome. We won't commit to compostable for high-moisture products without completed sampling. For these applications, Wastemade PCR or Plantmade bio-based recyclable (Green PE) is often more reliable.

No. Compostable laminates are not suitable for moist, wet, or high-humidity products — moisture degrades the material. Wastemade PCR is the appropriate material family for these applications.

No. Compostable laminates are not suitable for liquid content — moisture degrades the material. The refill pouch format itself is the strong sustainability story here, not material compostability.

Compostable materials are designed to be composted. Unfortunately, that means that they generally cannot be recycled and shouldn't go into a recycling stream. Although commercial composting systems are not widely available presently they are growing rapidly, so too is the rate of home composting. For further reading please visit our Resource Hub.

Yes. Dual adhesive strips are available — one for original dispatch, one for returns. A practical, brand-positive feature for apparel and fashion brands.

Yes — but performance comes first. We recommend Wastemade recyclable PCR for most applications: up to 70% recycled content, GRS certified, and available in recyclable mono-material structures via soft plastics drop-off. For dry food brands with strong sustainability values and pack sizes ≤1kg, compostable is often a genuine fit.

Yes — and it's often a particularly good fit for snack categories like nuts, seeds, and granola where pack sizes typically fall within the 1kg compostable limit. Industrial compostable (PLA) and home compostable (PBS) structures are both available.

Yes — and it's often a genuinely strong fit. Most supplement packs fall within the 1kg practical limit for compostable structures, and the wellness brand positioning makes compostable a coherent story. Industrial compostable (PLA) and home compostable (PBS) are both available with high-barrier performance.

Yes — and compostable is often a particularly good fit for tea given the lower barrier requirements compared to coffee, and the natural or wellness brand values common in the category. Industrial compostable (PLA) and home compostable (PBS) structures are both available up to 1kg.

Compostable is not available for liquid applications — liquid content degrades compostable laminates. Recyclability is constrained by the barrier requirements of most liquid applications — multi-material laminates are needed and cannot be separated in standard recycling streams. The sustainability story rests on format (~80% less material than a bottle) and PCR content, not material recyclability. We won't suggest claims we can't back up.

Yes our our bio-based recyclable films and laminates work well for both wet and oily product sets.

Compostable materials generally are not compatible with wet or oily products for any length of time. Compatibility is product dependent. They can work for product sets that only have a short shelf-life expectation but aren't suitable for anything over four weeks.

No, our recyclable product are not compostable - they're designed to be recycled! For further reading please see our blog post on Composting vs Recycling.

Yes they can. Grounded's recycled films and laminated are recyclable in either dedicated LDPE streams (#4) or via in-store collection systems. Check out your local soft plastics recycling schemes or speak to one of our packaging experts for more information.

Yes, we can split your order and send it to as many locations as you like!

All of Grounded's vacuum pouches are able to be used for sous vide cooking. Our Plantmade recyclable pouches can be used for temperatures up to 80C or 175F. Our Plantmade compostable pouches can be used for temperatures up to 70C or 160F.

No, they don't. Our certified compostable materials undergo rigorous biodegradation and compostability testing to ensure that they completely breakdown into healthy organic matter.

Unlike plastics, compostable materials are designed to have a shelf-life. They won't start spontaneously composting on the shelf or in your warehouse but over time things like sealing and lamination strength will start to deteriorate. In general, we recommend our compostable materials be used within 12-18 months depending on the product being filled as well as storage conditions. However this is influenced by atmospheric conditions like heat and humidity so in particularly hot and humid climates this is reduced. We recommend storing all compostable materials in dry climate controlled conditions as best practice to ensure best shelf-life of the packaging itself.

No. Tea does not continue outgassing after packing, unlike freshly roasted coffee. A degassing valve is not appropriate for tea and would add unnecessary cost.

Recycled content has greater variability compared to virgin plastic that creates a slightly speckled, grainy texture in the film. This is almost imperceptible to the naked eye and does not effect packaging or print quality. Speak to one of our packaging experts about getting your hands on samples of our recycled products!

Yes. Flat pouches and sachets for single-serve applications, sample packs, and travel formats. Available in the same material range as our larger pouch formats.

Our recycled and paper mailers do not have a shelf life. Our compostable mailer will keep its strength for 12 months. All our our products should be stored in a cool, dry place.

Yes. Customer must have FFS thermoforming machinery or a copacker with that capability. MOQ is 50,000 print repeats, bottom and top web separately. We confirm filling capability before progressing — it's a critical step.

Yes. We support global brand teams with production across multiple regions and fulfilment into UK, EU, US, and Australia. Get in touch to discuss your supply chain requirements.

Both UK EPR and EU PPWR are actively promoting refillable packaging formats. If you're currently using rigid bottles, the regulatory direction of travel is toward the format you'd be switching to. The timing to make that switch matters. Contact us to discuss what this means for your specific market and timeline.

In the UK, brands placing more than 50 tonnes of packaging per year are liable under EPR. Higher recycled content in your packaging reduces your fees. PCR film counts. We can help you understand your exposure and choose materials accordingly.

From initial enquiry through to delivery: quote and material selection → artwork and proof approval → production → quality control → delivery. Our team guides you through every step.

Refer to a blog post on how to compost!

See blog post on how to use a dieline.

Dual adhesive strips are standard — one peel-off for original dispatch, one kept in reserve for the customer to reseal for returns. No waste, no extra packaging.

Grounded's bio-based recyclable films and laminated are recyclable in either dedicated LDPE streams (#4) or via in-store collection systems. Check out your local soft plastics recycling schemes or speak to one of our packaging experts for more information. ‍

Our stand-up and flat pouches are specced to pass standard mailbox dimensions — reducing shipping cost and packaging requirements for DTC supplement brands.

We support production across multiple regions and can coordinate fulfilment into UK, EU, US, and Australia. We work with brand teams who need consistent packaging across markets without managing multiple suppliers.

Our mailer bags can withstand heavy weight and are 100% waterproof. They are also tear-resistant and are designed to distributes the weight throughout the whole bag. We encourage you to order a sample pack and put them to the test

Composting timeframe depends on the exact conditions of the compost. Industrial or commercial composts run at higher temperatures and generally operate on a time frame of 2-3 months. Home composts are more variable and dependent on things like climate and how well they are managed. Home compost certification assumes the compost environment operates ~30°C and in order to achieve certification products must fully biodegrade within 12 months.

Global shipping lead times vary based on the shipping route, market demand and other external variables at a given time. For the latest shipping lead times please get in touch with one of our packaging experts.

Yes — seal integrity and leak prevention are engineering priorities for this format. Spout type, size, and filling method all factor into the specification. We test before confirming suitability.

Typically 6–10 weeks from artwork approval, depending on format and volume. Get in touch for a project-specific timeline.

From 6,000 units (digital) or 10,000 units (rotogravure). Lead times typically 6–10 weeks from artwork approval.

From 6,000 units (digital) or 10,000 units (rotogravure). Lead times typically 6–10 weeks. Contact us for a project-specific timeline.

Pouches from 6,000 units (digital) or 10,000 units (rotogravure). Thermoforming at 50,000 print repeats per web. Lead times typically 6–10 weeks from artwork approval.

From 6,000 units (digital) or 10,000 units (rotogravure). Typically 6–10 weeks from artwork approval.

Pouches from 6,000 units (digital) or 10,000 units (rotogravure). Thermoforming at 50,000 print repeats per web. Lead times typically 6–10 weeks. Contact us for specifics.

From 10,000 units for film mailers; 6,000 units for paper mailers. Typical lead times are 6–10 weeks. Contact us for a project-specific timeline.

From 6,000 units (digital) or 10,000 units (rotogravure). Typical lead times are 6–10 weeks from artwork approval. Contact us for project-specific timelines.

In the UK, brands placing over 50 tonnes of packaging on the market per year are liable under the EPR scheme. Your packaging type and recycled content directly affect your fee. We're not compliance advisors, but we help brands understand the packaging choices that improve their EPR position. Contact us to discuss.

The Pantone Color System, or Pantone Matching System (PMS), is a standardized color matching system widely used for printing. It was designed to help printers and designers to specify and control colours for printing projects.

Print plates are used to print your designs onto your packaging material. Your designs are laser cut into the plate, with the negative parts of your image cut out so that the plates don't pick up ink. If your design uses multiple colours, there will be a different print plate for each colour. The printing plates are mounted to giant cylinders on the printing press and the plate runs through the ink and onto your packaging.

Digital printing from 6,000 units — the most accessible option for specialty roasters running multiple SKUs. Rotogravure from 10,000 units, with better unit economics at scale.

Loose leaf tea requires medium-to-high barrier — it's in direct contact with the packaging and has a typical shelf life of 18–24 months. Tea bags in an outer pouch need less — the tea bag provides primary protection, and the outer pouch addresses moisture and light. Confirm your product type with us before we spec a material.

Most snack foods — nuts, seeds, chips, confectionery, dried fruit — need high barrier against oxygen and moisture to protect freshness and shelf life. We'll confirm the specific requirement based on your product, target shelf life, and filling conditions.

High to maximum barrier — both oxygen and moisture need to be managed tightly. The specific requirement depends on the product, fill conditions, and target shelf life. We confirm the specification before recommending a structure.

Depending on the product and material, we print using either Pantone (PMS) or CMYK colours. The print capabilities for each product can be found on each of the product pages. Here you can also see what different print methods we can use. For example, digital printing or rotogravure printing.

We ship globally and have customers in every continent.

Fluting is the wavy layer of paper in the middle of corrugated board that makes boxes rigid, strong, and stackable. Adjusting your fluting can affect the size and dimensions of your shipments which could have a major effect on your product performance and shipping costs.

MOQ is an acronym for Minimum Order Quantity. This refers to the smallest number of units of each SKU you can order for your custom packaging. Each product specifies the custom MOQ in the details section on the product page.

Products displayed in outdoor garden centres are exposed to direct sunlight. UV-stable inks prevent fading and print degradation over extended display periods. This must be explicitly specified — it's not a default. We flag it for every outdoor retail application.

Spout pouch filling requires specialist filling equipment — either in-house or via a copacker. This is the first question we confirm in any refill pouch project. Without the right filling capability, the project cannot progress.

Spout pouch filling requires specialist filling equipment. If you don't have this in-house, you'll need a copacker with the right capability. We'll confirm this with you before progressing — it's a critical step in the specification process.

A dieline is a template that contains the exact dimensions of your product. Dielines also show cut lines, fold lines and glue flaps. When customising your packaging we will supply you with a dieline to apply your designs before providing you with a final digital proof to sign off. You can create and download your own dielines using our dieline generator.

Global freight rates vary based on the size of the order, the shipping route and method, market demand and other external variables at a given time. For the latest shipping rates please speak with one of our packaging experts.

The same ink colour can look different depending on what type of substrate (material) you print it on. Inks printed on an uncoated material such as paper, soak into the material and lose vibrancy as it takes on the character of the surface. If you use the same ink and put it on a coated material, it looks brighter and retains vibrancy and has a gloss look similar to the material surface. When choosing colours, you should consider the surface you’re printing on (e.g. paper or film) and choose the correct Pantone type (coated or uncoated) to ensure you get the right outcome. If you use different materials across your packaging range, you may have to choose different Pantone colours for matte and glossy materials to ensure you keep your brand colours consistent across different materials.

Unfortunately different products and materials have different considerations so there is not a uniform answer to this. Please reach out to one of our packaging experts who can assist further.

First up, for all those that don't yet speak packaging, MOQ means 'Minimum Order Quantity'. This is product dependent and can be found in the details section of the product page. Unfortunately the manufacturing MOQ cannot be split across multiple SKUs. If the MOQ for a product is currently a bit high for your business we have a wide range of products available in our online store which come in smaller cartons and can be labelled to get a similar result. Check out our Online Store for more details.

Our spouts are made from rigid plastic polymers and can easily recycled in their respective plastic streams.

Standard poly mailers are made from virgin fossil-derived plastic. Our 100% PCR mailers use post-consumer recycled polyethylene — plastic that has already been used and recovered. GRS certified. This is the strongest recycled content claim available in flexible packaging, and it reduces your brand's scope 3 emissions footprint.

Full rotogravure or digital print. Finish options include gloss, matte, rough matte, and soft touch — all of which significantly affect shelf appearance and brand perception. We can advise on the right finish for your product and brand positioning.

Our vacuum pouches have a high barrier to both oxygen and moisture, and are able to be used in place of traditional vacuum packaging for most food products.

All standard retail sizes from 250g to 5kg. Our Wastemade recyclable PCR material works across the full range — compostable structures are available up to 1kg.

Dry food allows more material options — both Wastemade PCR and Plantmade compostable (up to 1kg) are available. Wet food is Wastemade only — compostable structures are not suitable for moist product contact, as moisture degrades the material. It's a hard rule with no exceptions.

Recyclable bags (our Wastemade PCR range) can be disposed of via soft plastics drop-off programmes — not kerbside. They contain up to 70% post-consumer recycled content. Compostable bags (our Plantmade range) break down in industrial or home compost conditions — but require the right composting infrastructure to work as intended. Neither is better than the other; the right choice depends on your brand values, pack size, and where your customers are.

It depends on how you define sustainability. 100% PCR poly mailer (rLDPE) has the highest recycled content — the strongest circular economy story. Home compostable mailer has a different end-of-life credential. FSC paper mailer is paper-recyclable. Each tells a different sustainability story — we'll help you choose the one that's accurate and credible for your brand.

Wastemade PCR provides high recycled content (up to 70% in the sealant layer, GRS certified) in a durable structure. The packaging reduces reliance on virgin materials without the product-compatibility problems of compostable. Alternatively, Green PE (bio-based recyclable) provides a plant-based origin story — bio-based polyethylene from sugarcane ethanol, recyclable via soft plastics.

We have paper stock available starting from 80GSM right up to 400GSM. Key considerations when deciding which thickness to choose are the weight of your product, the rigidity of the mailer and your durability requirements. Speak to one of our packaging experts about your requirements.

The spout can be placed anywhere along the top edge pouch; this is typically either on the top left edge, top middle center or top right edge.

Powdered nutrition is highly sensitive to moisture and oxygen. Degradation doesn't just affect taste — it reduces efficacy. High barrier is the minimum specification for any serious supplement brand, and we won't recommend structures that compromise it for cost or sustainability reasons.

Approximately 80% less plastic. Lower transport weight means lower transport emissions. Ships flat to your filling facility. Less packaging at end of life for your customer to manage. And a story that resonates with consumers who are increasingly aware of packaging's environmental impact.

A refill pouch uses approximately 80% less plastic than an equivalent rigid bottle. Less material means lower production energy, lower transport emissions (they ship flat), and significantly less plastic at end of life. It's the most impactful packaging decision a cleaning brand can make.

Yes, we will provide you with a digital artwork proof to sign before proceeding with production. If you would like a physical proof we can also do pre-production samples at an additional cost. Please note this will also extend the lead time of your order.

Our vacuum pouches are designed to be used on commercial in-chamber vacuum sealers. They won't work on out of chamber machines.