Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the label & packaging industry as consumers become more aware of the impact of waste and their responsibility to the environment. "Reduce, reuse, recycle" as a dogma of sustainability is being practiced more and more by consumers. They are increasing the pressure on brands to fundamentally rethink their products and move toward more sustainable packaging and CO2-footprints.

The best option here is to reduce and reuse packaging in the first place, of course. But a zero-waste lifestyle is a lofty goal that most consumers struggle to achieve. Additionally, as our environmental impact increases, EU regulations are coming into effect that actively call for reducing waste and single-use plastic, as well as alternative packaging designs to meet EU sustainability goals. At the same time, new technologies in the label and packaging industry are pushing for greater sustainability. Digital printing and improved recycling processes are already enabling greater supply chain efficiency and recycling rates, significantly reducing waste throughout production.

That's why sustainable packaging is increasingly becoming a priority - not only for large corporate brands like P&G, but also for smaller companies and start-ups. They are starting to focus on a holistic approach to reducing their environmental footprint within their supply chain. 

Material: What kind of materials are the most sustainable?

Design: How can materials and waste be reduced in label & packaging design?

Production: How can waste be reduced in the production of labels & packaging?

Recycling: And how recyclable are the labels & packaging really?

In this article, you'll learn what's most important when choosing your labels and packaging - so you can avoid pitfalls that small businesses and beginners, in particular, are prone to stumble over. Dive into recyclability, compostable materials and digital printing and learn how to better select sustainable options that fit your needs.

Recycling

Recyclability starts with the recycling process itself. There is no global standard for recycling, as regulations and the state of the art of recycling machines vary all over the world. Not all countries have overarching collection and recycling processes. Central and Northern Europe have comparable collection, sorting and recycling processes, with recycling rates of up to 67% for total packaging and 42% for plastic packaging(Eurostat, 2019).

But what happens when packaging is thrown away? Let's take a look at an exemplary plastic recycling process. 

• Plastic material from industrial and consumer waste is examined via a light source scanner to determine whether radiation is absorbed (or whether something "shines") or not. 

• Detected plastic is then rejected from the material stream. Rejected materials are sent for incineration. 

• After ejection, the plastic containers and bottles are first shredded into small pieces before being cleaned of any dirt in a basic (NAOH) solution and a hot bath, and labels and sleeves are removed. 

• The washed shreds are finally separated in a float/sink separation process, where plastics such as PE and PP float on top of the water, while plastics such as PET and PVC sink to the bottom. 

With this recycling process in mind, you can increase the recyclability of your packaging with these tips:

• Use mono-material designs. Most packaging today is not traditionally recyclable due to its complexity. The more materials used, the more complex it is to separate them in the recycling process. For example, kraft paper laminated pouches, often used by brands for their natural look, can easily be rejected as plastic-free because the scanner cannot detect a sheen to the packaging. Although the pouch itself would have been recyclable, the lamination prevents it from being reintroduced into the cycle. The best option here would be pure PP or PE packaging without multilayer or kraft paper pouches without an additional plastic or aluminum layer. Note, however, that mono-paper packaging often does not comply with EU food directives and has a negative impact on the shelf life of the product due to the limited barrier quality.

• Avoid all black designs. As mentioned, scanners can detect different types of plastics by how much radiation each absorbs. With black designs, the sensors can't properly detect the black plastics and therefore can't sort them. Anything that cannot be detected by the scanners will be burned - a real waste of valuable resources!

• Use removable labels. Labeled packages are easier to see because the label does not cover the entire surface. Also, make sure that the label and adhesive you use are soluble in hot water or a basic solution. Always remember that labels should be recyclable, as should the packaging to which they are attached.

Biodegradable & compostable materials

In recent years, biodegradable and compostable packaging has emerged as a notable innovation in the packaging industry. Here's what you should know about them: These options, advertised as "green," are often misinterpreted and not properly understood. In fact, here's what it looks like:

Both the terms "biodegradable" and "compostable" are used to describe the organic process of decomposition. Biodegradable or compostable packaging is made from organic materials that can be broken down by microorganisms. "Biodegradable" materials take about 6 months to decompose, while "compostable" products degrade in less than 3 months on average. However, this is only guaranteed if these materials are properly disposed of and recycled under certain conditions. 

Proper decomposition requires special recycling methods that do not involve conventional processes. 

Biodegradable and compostable materials do not decompose in compacted, low-oxygen conditions like landfills. Unfortunately, disposal in composting facilities is not possible either, as the decomposition time is much longer than for ordinary biowaste. 

Special disposal facilities for biodegradable waste must be equipped with UV light and high temperatures to accelerate the decomposition process. 

In addition, when biodegradable or compostable plastic-like material ends up in a conventional plastic recycling process, it leads to contamination and quality degradation of the resulting recycled plastics.

In summary, properly disposed biodegradable and compostable packaging is the best choice as it is a solution for plastic-like products that decompose naturally. It is important for your company to consider the recycling process in your region when planning and executing your compostable packaging strategy. This will ensure that your image is not damaged by the lack of a proper recycling infrastructure or process. 

Digital printing

When it comes to reducing waste in label and packaging production, digital printing is the way to go. Learn more about digital printing compared to traditional printing in our blog post.

The bottom line: Packaging sustainability goes far beyond materials. We want to make sure you're looking at your entire supply chain and considering every component of your product, from labeling to packaging design and materials.

We would be happy to discuss this topic with you further to find a suitable solution for your needs. Write us an email at hello@palamo.com or contact us here.

Your Palamo Team