In a bid to advance circularity of HDPE packaging, Avery Dennison and UPM Raflatac have successfully tested non-removable labels for the first time with RecyClass, a cross-industry initiative for advanced plastic packaging recyclability.
The choice of adhesives and labels are among the key design aspects considered for HDPE packaging circularity, however, according to RecyClass, complying with both usage and recycling requirements is a challenge for most packagers.
The laboratory findings show that both Avery Dennison’s acrylic adhesive label materials (Global MDO with S7000, PE with S692N, and PP60 with S7000 and S692N), and UPM’s SmartCircle PE labels with acrylic and hotmelt technologies, do not hinder the recycling process of the coloured HDPE stream.
Results indicate that even if not removed during the recycling process, the named technologies will only have a limited impact on the HDPE stream when designed under the specified conditions.
In accordance with the new laboratory findings, the RecyClass Design for Recycling Guidelines for coloured HDPE and PP rigids have been updated to allow, as limited compatibility, the use of the mentioned structures.
As for most packaging features reported in the guidelines, these technologies will downgrade the packaging recyclability by one class on the Online-Tool and for the Certification Audit, as opposed to three classes for any other non-removable labels.
However, the use of washable and releasable adhesives remains the preferred option, according to RecyClass.
The RecyClass Decoration Taskforce is planning additional testing campaigns on labels and adhesives to increase the know-how of the industry and provide further guidance.
