Allpack

How ethical is Allpack?

Allpack is a packaging company which has achieved The GOOD Shopping Guide’s ethical benchmark on our Ethical Packaging Ratings Table. With a score of 79 out of 100, Allpack narrowly demonstrates commitment to environmental responsibility and ethical business practices, though it operates at the threshold of the benchmark.

However, Allpack has not yet obtained The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation. Achieving accreditation would provide independent verification of the brand’s ethical practices and help consumers easily identify Allpack as a certified ethical choice within the packaging sector.

What does Allpack do?

Allpack is a packaging distribution company based in East Anglia, operating from warehouse facilities near Bury St Edmunds. The company supplies protective packaging products including cartons, bubble film, polythene bags, and postal packaging to SMEs and end-users across various sectors. Allpack was acquired by Macfarlane Group PLC in March 2024 for £3.25 million. Prior to acquisition, Allpack had 10 employees including three directors, all of whom remained with the business following the acquisition. For the year ended 31 December 2023, Allpack generated £3 million in sales with £0.6 million in pre-tax profits. Macfarlane Group PLC was established in 1949, is listed on the London Stock Exchange since 1973, and is headquartered in Glasgow. The parent company employs over 1,000 people across 39 sites in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, serving 20,000 plus customers.

Why does Allpack perform well ethically?

Allpack achieves good ratings across several environmental criteria. The brand receives good ratings for environmental reporting and pollution prevention, demonstrating transparent communication about sustainability practices. Allpack achieves good ratings for eco certifications and maintains good standards for animal welfare and responsible marketing. The brand has no documented public record criticisms and maintains neutral political donation practices. Allpack has achieved recognition as an Ethical Innovator, reflecting its approach to developing packaging solutions.

What could improve Allpack’s ethical positioning?

While Allpack demonstrates some ethical performance, several significant areas require improvement. Most critically, Allpack receives a poor rating for armaments involvement. Through its parent company Macfarlane Group, Allpack supplies customers in the defence and aerospace sectors, including operations connected to armaments manufacturing. This represents a fundamental ethical concern for consumers seeking to avoid involvement in weapons production. Reducing or eliminating business relationships with armaments-related customers would be necessary to improve this rating.

Additionally, Allpack’s ratings for toxic chemicals policy and fossil fuels are currently acceptable rather than good, indicating room for enhancement in chemical management and renewable energy adoption. The vegan options rating is acceptable, suggesting limited focus on plant-based or vegan-certified packaging solutions.

Most importantly, obtaining The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation would strengthen consumer confidence in Allpack’s ethical practices. Accreditation would provide independent third-party verification of the brand’s commitments, making it easier for consumers to identify Allpack as a certified ethical choice.

Allpack should consider pursuing accreditation while simultaneously addressing its armaments involvement through parent company policy changes. The company should strengthen commitments to eliminate toxic chemicals and fossil fuels while expanding vegan-certified packaging options. For consumers seeking sustainable packaging alternatives, Allpack’s proximity to the ethical benchmark suggests careful consideration is warranted, particularly regarding its connection to defence and aerospace supply chains.

Consumers should consult The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Packaging Ratings Table to compare options and understand how we rate brands on ethical criteria.