packaging tape

 
#1 environmental choice for packaging tape:

I just picked up a roll of paper packaging tape made in the US from just kraft paper and starch based adhesive. it's easiest to repulp, recycle, and biodegrade. the starch comes from plants, potato, corn, etc.

it's a water activated adhesive, as in you have to wet it to get it to stick.
the roll doesn't stick to itself.

these are usually known as gummed paper tape,
the adhesives could be made from starch, or animal, or who knows what else if the company doesn't specify.

intertape brand (which also makes central brand) was one of the only brands i found that could specify starch based adhesive, and makes it in the US.
dick blick art supply was the only store i could find that carried this line of intertape.

it was $4.99 + tax for a 2" wide x 600' long roll. 

other notes:
kraft paper is the general name for the brown paper used, not specific to anything else about the tape.
kraft paper is also sold in rolls for packaging wrapping or padding.

packing houses that use water activated tapes have a dispenser that wets the tape as it'd dispensed.
for home office use, it's a tiny inconvenience, a water spray bottle or bowl of water to dip fingers in, works.

most packaging tapes these days are the clear petroleum plastic kind. the tape industry is making a move towards less chemical and plastic options. they're looking into different technologies, but what also makes sense is looking back to what was used before plastic and petrochemicals. 

click here to expand post, to see self adhesive and cellulose tape info.





#2 environmental choice.
the next choice for convenience would be a kraft paper tape that doesn't
require moistening, with a pressure sensitive adhesive.

the adhesive can be made with a variety of materials other than starch,
such as natural rubber, or petroleum byproducts like
synthetic rubber, acrylic, or others.

the paper in this tape is more treated than gummed paper tape.
it has to be rubber impregnated and have a release coating on the top side,
so you're able to unroll it.

the best option would be with an all natural rubber adhesive,
not synthetic rubber or acrylic.

intertape PM2 is a paper tape w/ natural rubber adhesive, made in the US.
not all of their tapes have a natural rubber adhesive though.
there may be other brands making paper tape with a natural rubber adhesive, in the US.
but not all specify these details.

caremail is a brand of packaging products that claims environmentally friendliness,
because they use 50-100% post consumer waste paper,
but their paper tape has an acrylic adhesive, and is made in taiwan,
shipping from that far doesn't make sense.

#3 choice
cellophane tape.
not to be confused w/ the common petroleum plastic tape,
cellophane is the clear plastic like material that is made from plant cellulose.
this is what was used before petroleum.
it's biodegradable, but some pretty strong polluting chemistry
is used in the process of making it.

there are some with a natural rubber adhesive,
but if it's not specified, who knows if it's synthetic, acrylic, or other petroleum.

i don't know of any way to tell the difference between cellophane and petroleum plastic just by looking at it.