How can your company take action to make your packaging and labels more sustainable? The following is a checklist of items to take action. Contact us for more information.
All packaging:
- Design for reuse and recyclability
- Ensure that packaging provider has a stringent restricted substances list with
- verification procedures
Exterior Tags (Hang tags, Pocket Flashers, etc.):
- Eco-size ™ to optimize sheet use for maximum efficiency
- Use recycled Paper with 10% to 100% Post-consumer Waste (PCW)
- If using virgin and not recycled paper, consider paper that is certified for sustainable forestry (i.e., Forest Stewardship Council, Rainforest Alliance)
- Consider process chlorine free (PCF), elemental chlorine free (ECF), or total chlorine-free (TCF) processing and paper
- Ensure recyclability of all tags and note their recyclability on the material
- Verify that the paper provider has on-site generation, carbon neutrality efforts, and/or renewable energy certificates
- Look for manufacturers with ISO 14001:2008 Certification for Environmental Management Systems
Inks, Coatings, and Adhesives:
- Use low VOC content and emissions ink, or use recycled inks
- Use low or no VOC coatings and adhesives
- Verify that pigments do not contain heavy metals
- Consider vegetable, soy or water-based inks
Inks, Coatings, and Adhesives:
- Use 100% certified recycled woven labels
Poly bags:
- There are no industry-agreed upon sustainable ways to manufacture poly bags
