Flexi-Hex®: A Fresh Approach to Packaging

Sam - I know it sounds clichéd, but our inspiration truly comes from nature, both in a literal and broader sense. Our patented sleeves, designed with honeycomb material, showcase this natural inspiration, providing the incredible strength our protective packaging is known for. When tackling challenges at Flexi-Hex®, we often step out of the office and take a walk to the end of the pier in the fishing village where our headquarters is located.

Saloni - My background in regenerative agriculture deeply shapes how I approach sustainability and our vision for circular packaging today. That experience instilled in me a sense of optimism—a belief that the entire lifecycle of something, from raw materials to manufacturing to end-of-life, can actually benefit the planet.

Just as a permaculture farm can heal soil, restore water cycles, and revive biodiversity, I often ask: What would it look like for packaging to do the same? What if packaging didn’t just minimize harm but actively contributed to environmental regeneration?

Sam - Flexi-Hex® started with packaging for surfboards. As surfers ourselves, it was a passion project born out of our own frustrating experiences with buying new boards through the mail. We wanted to improve the unboxing experience, and it turns out we weren't the only ones who felt that way. Before we knew it, we were gaining traction in the drinks industry. In the UK, brands like Diageo, Brewdog, Sipsmith, and Bombay Sapphire use our solutions for their e-commerce fulfillment.

Then we launched the Flexi-Hex® Air range, which features the same sleeve design but is made from lighter tissue paper. This opened up new opportunities for us in tableware, wellness and beauty, electronics, and more. Honestly, if you have a fragile product that needs to be mailed, we probably have a protective packaging sleeve to help. Think of us as a better alternative to bubble wrap!

Saloni - EcoEnclose has a broad and diverse solution set - from mailers to shipping boxes to void fill, protective packaging, packaging tape, and more. Across all of our categories, our commitment is to offer the most circular and sustainable solutions out there and ensure those solutions meet our brands' functional and budgetary needs. We service eco-conscious direct-to-consumer brands of all sizes who want to ensure their packaging and shipping experience supports and elevates their ethos and commitment to sustainability. We work with small brands that sell via Etsy, mid-sized brands with Shopify and BigCommerce shops, and large enterprise brands that ship thousands and millions of orders weekly.

Sam - We often get questioned about the impact of paper vs plastic and, more specifically, about the carbon footprint comparisons between the two materials. But we don’t think it’s as simple as good vs bad. There are countless variables when choosing the best materials for protective packaging. However, one thing we are sure of is that when designing a product, you have to consider far beyond just carbon emissions alone. And poor design is the real issue. Single-use plastic for protective packaging is a poor design. Why? Because plastic is harmful to the environment long after it's useful. Good design respects the world’s natural cyclical processes.

Saloni - At EcoEnclose, we’re known for bringing a lot of nuance (sometimes too much, I’ve been told!) to the complex world of sustainable packaging. Our guiding light is circularity—a vision where packaging is made from packaging, can be turned into packaging again, and is sourced from raw materials that are net restorative to the planet.

But we don’t stop there. Our decision-making framework also considers the broader web of environmental challenges—climate change and carbon emissions, freshwater use, biodiversity loss, deforestation, nutrient runoff, ocean plastic pollution, and more. (If you’re curious, the Planetary Boundaries Framework offers a helpful visualization of the many systems at play.)

Within this context, EcoEnclose focuses on maximizing recycled content whenever possible. When recycled inputs aren't feasible—particularly for paper—we prioritize responsibly sourced materials with minimized deforestation risk. We design packaging for easy, widespread recyclability and actively support innovation in emerging raw materials that could shape the future of sustainable packaging.

We also believe in offering brands flexibility and choice. For example, brands focusing on minimizing carbon emissions or managing costs may find that 100% recycled plastic is the most strategic fit, given its lower carbon footprint and production efficiency. Others—especially those prioritizing recyclability, renewable inputs, or reducing the risk of ocean plastic pollution—may lean toward responsibly sourced paper-based packaging as the more environmentally forward solution.