According to business development director for Africa, Shivern Reddy, labels and sleeves play an important role in determining the recyclability and reuse of post-consumer packaging. These factors motivate CCL Label to create premium product decoration that make brands look great and that perform well during the recycling process.
Shivern explains that the ideal label for glass bottles is one that detaches easily during the washing process. ‘CCL’s WashOff labels are constructed and engineered to detach at standard operating temperatures. The inks and adhesives remain on the labels, ensuring the washing solution isn’t contaminated, which reduces the use of water and chemicals.’
With PET bottles, Shivern notes that the quality of recycled PET flakes is crucial for their reuse. ‘To avoid contamination, EcoStream labels easily detach during the recycling process, without the inks or adhesives dissolving.’ He further explains that the labels detach and float to the top of the washing basin during the sink/float process while the heavier PET flakes sink.
When a sleeve is required rather than a label, CCL recommends EcoFloat, a premium shrink sleeve with a lower density than PET. The sleeve floats to the top of the water basin for easy separation during the grinding and washing process.
Shivern adds that CCL Label is developing solutions that include over 30% recycled content to help reduce the CO2 footprint. ‘There are also film options that contain bio-based plastic resins derived from tall oil, a by-product of the paper industry.
‘The CCL Label team regards continuous innovation and collaboration as the keys to success, which is why we strive to understand customers’ recycling targets and sustainability programmes. We offer workshops to find the most sustainable solutions and strive to be customers’ most trusted development partner for designing packaging that’s easy to recycle at the end of its life. “Design for Recycling” and following published guidelines are major focus areas for CCL Label,’ concludes Shivern.
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