How We Package
When building ALV NYC, there was one thing that was never a question: the packaging. Starting from scratch was an opportunity to get it right from the beginning. Every material was chosen to leave as little behind as possible.
Here’s a closer look at every material we use — what it’s made of and how it’s designed to be disposed of.
| Item | Material | Home-Compostable | Industrially-Compostable | Recyclable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shipping box | Untreated corrugated kraft paper, stamped with Algae Ink™ | Yes (if label removed) | Yes (if label removed) | Yes (if unsoiled) |
| Shipping label | Tree-free paper printed with toner ink, attached with water-activated cornstarch adhesive | No | No | Yes (if unsoiled) |
| Packing tape | Untreated kraft paper with water-activated cornstarch adhesive | Yes | Yes | Yes (if unsoiled) |
| Gift bag | Untreated heavyweight kraft paper with water-activated cornstarch adhesive, stamped with Algae Ink™ and tied with untreated cotton string | Yes | Yes | Yes (if unsoiled) |
| Lining & wrapping | OK Compost HOME-certified parchment paper | Yes | Yes | Yes (if unsoiled) |
| Insert | Untreated 100% recycled (30% PCW) paper stamped with Algae Ink™ | Yes | Yes | Yes (if unsoiled) |
Certification is not required for compostability. Uncoated kraft, post-consumer recycled papers, cornstarch-based adhesives, and unbleached cotton strings are all naturally compostable when free from plastics, coatings, or synthetic chemicals.
Algae-based ink replaces carbon black with a toxin-free, carbon-negative pigment made from algae. Used in very small amounts on paper packaging, it’s considered safe for composting while keeping captured carbon locked in a stable, inert form — learn more at livingink.co.
While shipping labels are printed on tree-free paper, toner ink contains synthetic compounds that make it unsuitable for composting — recycling is the recommended disposal method. We continue to look for fully compostable printing alternatives as the technology develops.