Short answer, yes, most of the time.
Long answer, it’s complicated. When it comes to sustainable packaging, paper is often seen as one of the best choices. It is renewable, recyclable, and yes—compostable. But like most things in packaging, the answer isn’t as simple as a blanket yes. The reality depends on the type of paper product and how it is used.
Why Paper is Compostable
Paper comes from trees, which are natural, organic materials. Because of this, paper on its own is fully compostable. Just like leaves, sawdust, or wood chips, paper will eventually break down and return to the earth as nutrient-rich compost. In backyard or industrial composting systems, uncoated paper breaks down relatively quickly compared to many other packaging materials.
When Paper Products Are Not Compostable
Not all paper packaging is created equal. Sometimes boxes, cartons, or mailers are treated with coatings or additives to make them water-resistant, glossy, or more durable. These coatings often contain plastics, wax, or chemicals that prevent the paper from breaking down naturally. In these cases, the packaging is not truly compostable—even if the bulk of the product is still made from paper. A simple rule of thumb is: if it feels waxy, shiny, or lined with plastic, it’s not compostable.
Why There Are No Compostability Certifications for Paper
Unlike bioplastics or newer plant-based materials, paper doesn’t need a special certification to prove compostability. Since it comes from trees, its natural origin is enough to guarantee that plain, untreated paper is compostable. Certifications usually exist for materials that need to demonstrate their breakdown potential under certain conditions. With paper, the assumption is already built in—unless coatings are added.
Recycling vs Composting: The Ideal End-of-Life for Paper Packaging
While paper is compostable, the ideal end-of-life pathway for most paper packaging, especially corrugated boxes, is recycling. Recycling keeps paper in circulation, allowing it to be remade into new boxes, mailers, and other packaging formats. This preserves resources and reduces the need to harvest new trees. Composting, while beneficial, transforms paper into compost instead of allowing it to be reused in a similar format.
That said, composting can be the better option in specific scenarios—particularly when paper packaging is heavily soiled with grease, oils, or food residue. Recycling systems cannot process contaminated paper, but composting can still recover value from it by turning it into a soil-enriching material.
The Takeaway
Paper packaging like boxes is compostable in its natural state, but coatings and additives change the story. The best option is usually recycling, but composting still has a role, especially when recycling isn’t possible due to contamination. By understanding how paper behaves at the end of its life, brands and consumers can make better choices that maximize sustainability.