Posted on 15th October 2024
by Helen Austin
Ethical businesses will want to apply their sustainable values throughout their supply chain. That includes bespoke business labels, whether a practical or aesthetic addition to a product or its packaging.
Even one label can shape the first impression that a contact has of your business. On an emotional level, it provides context to your values, on a practical level, it’s composition may dictate how items can be recycled.
So, in aiming to do the right thing, what constitutes a sustainable product label?
Here a few different themes that we can factor into the specification of the labels that you need.
Depending on what your labels need to do, there could be opportunities to minimise the use of new materials.
Polypropylene or PP is a popular material for labels, its waterproof, resistant to heat, acids, alkalis, and UV-stabilized for outdoor use.
Certain PP materials help to support a circular economy, demonstrating a smarter use of plastics. Within the category of Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastics, there is Ocean Friendly PP linking the materials to recovery from nearby waterways that could pollute our oceans.
A lower environmental impact can also be achieved through new versions of polypropylene, one is PP made from waste cooking oil. There is also ‘Forest Film’ derived from the byproducts of wood and paper pulping.
A further tactic with PCR plastic is to use a thinner material, with one product weighted at 50 microns, rather than the usual 60 micron thickness.
Paper labels embody the use of a natural and renewable material, wood.
The origin of that wood is important to note, as evidenced by FSC® certification. Endorsement by the Forest Stewardship Council ensures that the raw material of wood fibre is sourced from forests where land is responsibly managed, natural habitats of plants and animals are conserved, and the rights of forestry workers and local communities are respected. An alternative endorsement is PEFC certification. The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification is another leading global alliance of national forest certification systems.
Paper labels work well when applied to another form of paper or board, e.g. packaging. They work most effectively in dry, ambient or cold environments.
Options for plant derived labels are increasing. Bagasse and cane fibre labels are derived from sugar cane, or a by-product of sugar production. These materials also avoid the creation of new plastic substrates. Unfortunately the adhesive on the back of the material means that they are not inherently biodegradable, they require more industrial composting conditions. However, these labels will breakdown without the release of toxins in the soil, should they be disposed of through landfill.
Ensuring that you labels do what they need to do in an efficient space is important. This comes back to optimising the label material used. Whilst this priority could risk sounding quite clinical, efficiency can come with creativity, for labels that look, and act the part. Images, icons, colours and fonts can be blended in way to be informative and brand-building. For example, you’ll have heard, or experienced, the impact that wine labels have on purchasing decision. Various data sets indicate that wine labels are a key purchasing decision in up to 80% of wine purchases!
There are label sizes and shapes that are more efficient to produce, avoiding material wastage and perhaps aligning to standard sizes that are produced in bulk.
The use of durable inks will generally avoid the need for labels to be laminated, and additional process associated with the application of a plastic coating.
As the label buyer, your purchasing decisions affect the carbon footprint of your bespoke label printing projects. Production quantity is one key decision. Optimal print volumes will balance a print quantity that avoids waste, whilst producing labels in economics quantities which reduce the total impact of resources used in their production and delivery. When placing an order, think about your label needs over the medium term. You need to account for the ‘shelf-live’ of labels, specifically the adhesive integral to them, yet you should ideally commit to a project that satisfy your immediate and future needs. If the safe and clean storage of items is a challenge, providers like Systematic will be able to hold your labels in stock, giving you the benefit of production economies of scale and an ongoing supply of labels, to the quantities and locations that you need them in.
Consider the conditions in which your labels are produced, to ensure that your project and manufacturing teams share your values when it comes to people and the planet. There will be accreditations to look out for, such as business processes being accredited to environmental management system ISO 14001. There is also Sedex Membership, linked to a not-for-profit ethical trade service provider, that profiles the sustainable, responsible and ethical practices of their members. The Good Business Charter provides a practical take on 10 components of good business, from employees being paid the real living wage to ethical sourcing. A logo will be proudly displayed by accredited organisations, or you could delve into these criteria as part of your sustainable procurement practices.
Labels aren’t a perfectly sustainable product. The backing sheets integral to label supply and use can’t be recycled in low quantities. However, what we believe is important is continual improvement, and alongside innovations in label materials and production approaches, there are factors within your label projects that you can influence, with the aim of reducing their carbon footprint.
We hope that you feel armed with some themes of questioning as you develop the specifications for your bespoke label projects. If you need any support with the design, development or production processes, we’re here to help, guided by our label specialist Helen.
