Sustainable Converting Sustainable swaps for packaging labels
Sustainability is a hot topic in packaging, with manufacturers and retailers feeling the pressure to reduce, reuse and recycle. Ian Axelsen, business development manager at AA Labels, offers advice on sustainable swaps in labelling.
he environmental impact of product packaging directly affects the purchasing behaviour of 68% of shoppers, according to research from the European Association of Carton and Cartonboard manufacturers, Pro Carton.
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It questioned 7,000 consumers in seven countries, including the UK, on their perceptions of packaging and found that most consumers – 89% – would choose to buy from outlets that proactively encourage suppliers to adopt more sustainable forms of packaging.
However, with 72% believing that brands do not do enough to introduce environmentally- friendly packaging, there are opportunities for forward-thinking businesses to stand out. Those that do are more likely to win customer loyalty, particularly with the millennial generation - 53% admit to switching brands because of the sustainability of product packaging. As they now make up a quarter of the UK population, millennials will soon overtake baby boomers as the UK’s biggest group of consumers, further influencing the purchasing behaviours of the nation as a whole.
Adopting recyclable, compostable or biodegradable packaging can help companies run their businesses more sustainably, while gaining the loyalty of consumers who want to reduce the impact of their consumption habits. With this in mind, here are some labelling swaps for producers that want to improve the sustainability of their packaging in 2022.
Before you decide on a labelling solution, you need to understand the options that are available. Recyclable refers to finding another use, whether as the same object or restoring it to its original state, and is applicable to most label materials, including papers and polymers. It is a welcome alternative to disposable packaging. Alternative solutions include biodegradable labels, which break down to a microscopic level, reducing landfill but not reducing the use of natural resources, while compostable labels are made mostly from plants and break down to create nutrient rich soil.
Recycled white paper, made from reconstituted and FSC certified pulp, is the best choice for sustainable labels. However, paper label materials not derived from wood-pulp are increasingly being produced by manufacturers, enabling us to help customers make their packaging more environmentally-friendly.
For compostable labels, uncoated, matt-surface, paper labels are the most environmentally-friendly and compostable on the market, breaking down very quickly when left exposed. In terms of biodegradable labels, uncoated, matt-surface, paper labels are again the best choice. Although coated paper labels, such as semi-gloss, gloss and high-gloss, will also breakdown, but over a slightly longer period of time than compostable labels. How labels are printed can also impact on the environment and is an aspect that should not be overlooked. Ask your supplier
for clarification on the source of inks and their potential environmental impact. We recommend electrostatic ink and dry toner as both are mineral based and have OK Compost accreditation for their biodegradability and compostable nature. Recycled materials, paper and polymer are your best choices for sustainable label swaps in 2022. For paper, substitute tree pulp for pulp made from faster growing, plentiful plants, such as bamboo, hemp, kenaf and sugar cane. This puts the waste pulp from these cultivated crops to good use through paper production while helping to slow deforestation.
With polymer substitutes, advances are being made with non-carbon derivatives which will gradually appear commercial markets, such as label material production. Polymer labels are popular due to their flexibility and versatility, which is impossible to replicate with paper. Therefore, the most environmentally-friendly way to reduce the use of polymers is through less material usage, which material manufacturers are doing by creating thinner label materials. Materials that manufacturers should avoid when making labels more sustainable include vinyl (PVC) and solvent adhesives, as these are particularly harmful to the environment. Adhesives are not as straightforward, as none are particularly environmentally-friendly, but of them all (soluble, solvents and hot melts) water- based acrylic soluble is currently the best option.
Xwww.aalabels.com.
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December/January 2022
www.convertermag.com
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