Environmentally Friendly Labels
We are frequently asked for advice and guidance on producing environmentally friendly labels.Customers, producers, brand owners and consumers all have a different understanding of what they think they are asking for when they want their labels to be more environmentally friendly.
The first thing to do is clearly identify what they really want to achieve and if they understand the options available for their product.
A label usually becomes an integral part of the product to which it is applied. It is therefore important that both the packaging design and choice of label materials are compatible with what they are trying to achieve.
Sustainable Labels
Sustainable basically means responsibly produced.
This can refer to the material the labels are printed on or the print process itself so really is the most easily achieved when creating labels and packaging.
Print Process
At Baker Labels we can print both digitally on HP Indigo and Screen Inkjet or conventionally on a Nilpeter FB3. This means we can offer you the most efficient method to suit your label needs. By printing digitally there are no plate costs and multiple SKUs can be run in the same job. We can even digitally foil and varnish your labels. Reducing waste and only printing what you need when you need it is the sustainable option.
Sustainable Materials
BM572 Rock Paper / Marble Base
Permanent Adhesive
A matt white calcium carbonate derived from marble mining waste (80%) together with recycled HDPE (20%). The face material can be printed by conventional printing techniques including Screen, offset, letterpress, silkscreen, Flexo. Download Specification Sheet
A matt white calcium carbonate derived from marble mining waste (80%) together with recycled HDPE (20%). The face material can be printed by conventional printing techniques including Screen, offset, letterpress, silkscreen, Flexo. Download Specification Sheet
BM582 Gloss White Bio Based PE
A white corona treated bio based PE film, produced by fermenting the sugar from sugar cane. The bio based content of this film is minimum 83%.The corona treated face material can be printed by conventional printing techniques including flexo, screen, offset, letterpress, silk screen, gravure and hot or cold foiling processes. Download Specification Sheet
BM579 Rock Paper / Marble Base
Peelable Adhesive
A matt white calcium carbonate derived from marble mining waste (80%) together with recycled HDPE (20%). The face material can be printed by conventional printing techniques including Screen, offset, letterpress, silkscreen, Flexo. Download Specification Sheet
A matt white calcium carbonate derived from marble mining waste (80%) together with recycled HDPE (20%). The face material can be printed by conventional printing techniques including Screen, offset, letterpress, silkscreen, Flexo. Download Specification Sheet
Recyclable and Recycled Labels
Recyclable means the labels can be placed in the recycling stream.
Recycled usually refers to the material the labels are printed on.
Recycled usually refers to the material the labels are printed on.
A label usually becomes an integral part of the product to which it is applied. Labelled packages can typically be recycled if the label content and surface coverage are low enough. Therefore when considering recyclability of the label and packaging, compatible materials should be considered. For example, polythene containers should use PE or PP face materials.
BM570 Recycled Paper
White uncoated paper made of 100 % recycled fibres. Download Specification Sheet
Cardboard and Corrugated Board Materials
Cardboard and corrugated packages with a paper label can be recycled. If they bear a plastic label, they can be recycled as long as the label’s weight does not exceed 20% of the total weight.
PP, HDPE and LDPE Materials
In most cases, plastic packages with filmic/synthetic labels on can be recycled.
A PE product with a PE label may be considered recyclable.
A PP product with a PP label may be considered recyclable.
In addition, as a general rule for polyolefins (PE and PP) combined:
A PP product with a PE label may be considered recyclable.
A PE product with a PP label may be considered recyclable.
A PE product with a PE label may be considered recyclable.
A PP product with a PP label may be considered recyclable.
In addition, as a general rule for polyolefins (PE and PP) combined:
A PP product with a PE label may be considered recyclable.
A PE product with a PP label may be considered recyclable.
PET Packaging Materials
A PET product with PET label may be considered recyclable but the quality of recycled material may be lower due to the contamination.
A PET product with polyolefin (PE or PP) based label may be considered recyclable if the density of the label is less than 1 g/cm³. Using a wash-off adhesive can support the recyclability of PET packaging materials.
A PET product with polyolefin (PE or PP) based label may be considered recyclable if the density of the label is less than 1 g/cm³. Using a wash-off adhesive can support the recyclability of PET packaging materials.
Biodegradable and Compostable Labels
Biodegradable means that the material will break down to its base components. Compostable means that the material will break down into safe compost.
For a label to be biodegradable or compostable it must be printed on a suitable material, including the adhesive and have limited ink coverage. There are limited facilities for consumers to home or industrially compost packaging however it still remains a popular ideal for many brands and consumers.
BF901 Cane Fibre Paper
A matt white uncoated woodfree printing paper composed of 95% of sugar cane fibres and 5% of hemp and linen. Specifically designed for wine labelling where the complete packaging should be biodegradable. Download Specification Sheet
BF902 Natural Bois
A matt white uncoated woodfree printing paper composed of 95% of sugar cane fibres and 5% of hemp and linen. Specifically designed for wine labelling where the complete packaging should be biodegradable. Download Specification Sheet
BF903 Semi Gloss Paper
A semi gloss white one side machine coated, woodfree printing paper composed of FSC certified paper. Suitable for a wide range of promotional and industrial label applications. Download Specification Sheet
BF904 Transfer Vellum
A white supercalendered woodfree printing paper composed with FSC certified pulp. Ideal for warehouse inventory, in-house identification and picket fence barcoding. Suitable for most conventional printing methods. Download Specification Sheet
BF905 Natureflex Clear
A clear film produced from wood pulp sourced from managed plantations, the material is biodegradable and compostable. With a print receptive top coating this material is suitable for flexographic printing. Download Specification Sheet
BF906 Natureflex White
A white high-gloss film with print receptive coating. Produced from wood pulp sourced from managed plantations, the material is biodegradable and compostable. This material is printable by flexo. Download Specification Sheet
BakPac at Baker Labels
Sustainable Flexible Packaging
If you’re looking for more than labels and need a sustainable flexible packaging options, BakPac @ Bakers can provide what you’re looking for.