Select labels with a water soluble adhesive to help improve the recyclability of items such as bottles and containers.
How are Recyclable Labels sustainable?
Responsible Options
Many recyclable options are made from either sustainable paper sources or from partially recycled materials.
Aiding product recycling
Picking compatible materials helps to ensure that labels don't interfere with the industrial recycling process.
Reducing use of resources
By increasing the chance of your labels being recycled, resources are reused for future products.
Are Recyclable Labels the option for me?
Recyclable Labels are a great way to help make a product more sustainable, as they help to reduce both waste and the consumption of fresh resources. Many standard label materials can be recyclable.
However, it’s often challenging to find a recyclable label. This is because there are several distinct layers to a self-adhesive label, and recycling capabilities differ between countries and regions. This means that a label that can be recycled in one area may not be recyclable in another.
Label adhesives can also interfere with the recycling process, and we’re not aware of any processes which enable inks and varnishes to be recycled either. So you’re unlikely to make a label recyclable just by removing it from a non-recyclable product.
Whether you’ll be able to find a recyclable label that suits your product will mainly come down to how your product is made and if you can find a ‘recyclable combination’. For example, it’s straightforward to pick a recyclable paper label for a paper box, but it’s not really possible for other more bespoke and specialist options or complex products.
We recommend that you read our guide to Sticker and Label Recycling. It goes into detail about different recyclable combinations, and how this can impact your search for a recyclable label. Click here to read our label recycling guide ❯
If recycling is vital for your product, we recommend using a label with a special wash-off recycling adhesive. The label can be washed off the main item (either by a consumer, manufacturer or recycler), meaning that the label and item can go into their own material streams and be recycled.
Tip: Always consult your local recycling facility when looking to develop any recyclable product.
Recyclable Labels
Material Availability
Responsible
Sourcing
Reuse and Recycling
Reducing
Consumption
Matt Paper
with Wash-Off Adhesive
Wash-off recycling adhesive
Highly recyclable material
This label material has a water soluble adhesive which reacts quickly when exposed to water, allowing for easy removal during recycling.
It's also great for use on reusable or returnable containers, allowing quick and easy washing compared to standard adhesives.
Available for both small and large orders
Matt Paper with Wash-Off Adhesive
Recyclable PET
with Wash-Off Adhesive
Wash-off recycling adhesive
Highly recyclable material
With a wash-off adhesive, this label material can separate easily from items during standard recycling processes and allows for the production of high quality recycled polyethylene (rPET).
Subject to large minimum order quantity
Polypropylene (PP)
Recyclable attached to PP items
This traditional plastic label material is well suited to a variety of applications in which durability is vital, and is typically recyclable when stuck to other polypropylene items (category 5 plastic).
Available for both small and large orders
Antique Paper
Recyclable attached to paper items
Sustainable sources
This high quality paper-based material is from sustainable sources and has a distinctive ridge texture, perfect for premium applications.
Available for both small and large orders
Recycled Paper
100% recycled fibres
Recyclable attached to cardboard
This matt material is made entirely from recycled fibres, resulting in a non-smooth appearance with visible imperfections and colour variation.
Available for both small and large orders
Sustainability is more than a material choice
Materials are a key part of any sustainable label, but there's a lot more to consider when ensuring that your labels are as sustainable as possible.
From production processes, tooling and print plates, to delivery options and label durability, there's a wide range of considerations. You'll likely need to compromise on some goals, or be willing to make a trade-off.
We want to ensure that your labels really are as sustainable as possible in all aspects, and are always working to expand our range of initiatives.
No waste sent to landfill
We don't send any waste to landfill. Instead it's collected and scent for processing at an energy recovery facility to help provide heat and power for homes in Sheffield, Yorkshire.
Paper packing and less plastic
Our phase-out of polystyrene void filler was completed last year, replaced with paper. We're also taking steps to reduce plastic, and you can request a plastic-free delivery for your order.
Ink cartridge recycling
All of the industrial ink cartridges used in our Epson Digital Press are returned to Epson for recycling. This helps to reduce waste, and contributes to efforts to build a circular economy.
Sustainable Recyclable Labels
Here's what to do next:
Find the best sustainable option
Many customers have a range of questions about sustainable labels. See if we've answered your questions with our FAQ, and if not you can submit a question via our form, or request a call-back.
Request a bespoke quotation
If you've found the sustainable option for you, and have an idea of other details for your order such as label size and quantities required, then get in touch with our team for a free bespoke quotation.
All material supplies are subject to availability and production testing. Provided specifications are based on information from the original material manufacturer and are subject to change without notice. Pictures are for illustrative purposes only and not guaranteed to be representative due to the nature of the product and production processes. Recycling capability differs by country and region, no responsibility can be taken for compatibility with recycling processes. For further information about specifications and availability please contact our team ❯