Published on April 22nd, 2025
When you think of eco-friendly packaging or sustainable solutions, labels might not be the first thing that comes to mind.
Yet, labels play a critical role in determining whether packaging materials can effectively be recycled.
Whether you’re a consumer who is passionate about sustainability or a professional in the packaging supply chain, understanding the link between labels and recycling is essential.
This blog explores how labels impact recycling and highlights ways the industry can adopt sustainable packaging materials and practices to help ensure a greener future.
Why Labels Matter in the Recycling Process
Labels are more than decorative elements on a package. They carry essential information, such as branding, product details, and legal requirements.
However, their material composition and adhesive properties can significantly affect how easily a package can be recycled.
For instance, a plastic container with a label made from an incompatible material or using non-recyclable adhesive might contaminate the recycling stream.
This can render the entire package unrecyclable, defeating the purpose of sustainable packaging.
Understanding the interaction between labels, adhesives, and packaging materials is critical to promoting recycling success.
Common Barriers Caused by Labels
- Adhesives that contaminate recycling streams during processing.
- Non-recyclable materials used for labels, such as certain plastics or foil.
- Labels that are difficult to remove, requiring extra steps that deter recyclers.
- Text or ink that prevents detection or sorting of the primary packaging materials.
Read More: Top 5 Tips for Water Conservation in Agriculture
Steps Towards Sustainable Labeling
To move closer towards sustainable packaging solutions, it is essential to rethink label design and usage.
Here are actionable steps for creating labels that align with eco-friendly packaging materials and ensure effective recycling processes.
1. Use Recyclable Materials for Labels
Ensure that the label material matches the substrate of the packaging so that they can be recycled together without contamination.
For example, pairing polyethylene labels with polyethylene packaging ensures consistency in the recycling process.
2. Opt for Eco-Friendly Adhesives
Use water-soluble or biodegradable adhesives that are compatible with recycling equipment. These adhesives help labels separate from the substrate during the washing stage of recycling.
3. Design for Easy Removal
Labels that can be easily removed by hand or during the pre-recycling phase greatly increase the likelihood of successful recycling. Peel-off labels, for instance, offer a practical solution.
4. Consider Digital Printing
Directly printing product information on packaging, where possible, can eliminate the need for separate labels altogether. This approach aligns with sustainable packaging and reduces waste.
5. Educate and Engage Consumers
Clear, concise labelling can guide consumers to recycle correctly. Encourage the use of phrases like “Remove label before recycling” or icons that clearly indicate recyclability or disposal methods.
Labels in Matrix and Liner Recycling
An area often overlooked in discussions about label recycling is matrix and liner waste.
When adhesive labels are produced, the matrix (the surrounding waste material after die-cutting) and the liner (the backing material) are typically discarded as waste.
Innovations in matrix recycling and liner recycling are helping address this issue, allowing these materials to re-enter the supply chain as recycled content. For example, silicone-coated glassine liners can now often be recycled into new paper-based products.
To tackle matrix and liner waste effectively, businesses should collaborate with recycling facilities that specialise in these materials and adopt circular processes wherever possible.
Read More: Zero-Waste Living: 10 Essential Products
The Ripple Effect of Sustainable Labeling
Sustainable labels have a ripple effect across the entire recycling chain, promoting a circular economy that benefits consumers, recycling facilities, and the planet.
Label recycling and the use of sustainable packaging materials are no longer optional; they are key to meeting the growing demand for eco-friendly packaging and sustainable solutions.
By designing smarter labels, businesses and professionals in the packaging industry can advance the shift towards sustainable packaging practices.
Together with informed consumers and effective recycling systems, we can create packaging solutions that are truly kind to the environment.
Take Action for a Sustainable Future
To sum it up, labels might be small, but their impact on recycling is significant.
Whether you’re designing packaging or purchasing products, understanding how labels contribute to or hinder sustainability makes a difference.
If you’re looking to explore more sustainable solutions, such as integrating label recycling into your operations, connect with industry experts, recyclers, and partners committed to pushing boundaries in eco-friendly innovation.
The path to sustainable packaging starts with informed decisions. A brighter, greener future lies in small changes that come together to create a big impact.
