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MAPR’s Paul Pirkle conference call with CELAB
Mid America Speaks with Label Liner Recycling Consortium
CELAB (Circular Economy for Labels) was founded by companies in the self-adhesive label industry to create greater circularity for release liner and matrix products.
CELAB, Circular Economy for the Label Industry, is an ad-hoc industry coalition founded by companies in the self-adhesive label industry. CELAB strives to create greater circularity for pressure-sensitive label products by enhancing and promoting matrix and release liner recycling around the world. Empowered to reach across the entire supply chain and leverage the expertise of industry participants, more than 30 companies from around the world so far participate in the new consortium.
Focused on efforts to recycle silicone-coated label release liner and matrix, CELAB wants to foster regional initiatives as well as work with ISRI to certify these materials as recyclable products, much like Old Corrugated Containers and Double Linked Kraft paper.
CELAB often has teleconferences with industry members and packaging and labeling guests that seek and encourage best practices to build a more sustainable self-adhesive labeling industry. Recently, Mid America President Paul Pirkle spoke with some of CELAB’s members, which include companies up and down the value chain of the matrix and liner industry. Paul and members of CELAB’s North American branch discussed a variety of work streams and recycling capabilities that exist in different markets that might be able to accept silicone-coated pressure-sensitive label liner and matrix as well as the technical issues involved. They also explored the branch’s collaborative efforts interacting with the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) to establish a silicone-coated grade and set guidelines for the material.
“There are challenges based on perception,” Paul mentions. “It is technically possible to recycle silicone release liner and it most likely is being recycled currently within various mix grades [grades, such as mixed paper, Old Corrugated Containers (OCC), and sorted office paper]. However, there are only a few mills that will accept silicone as is. What’s most important is understanding the mill and the pulper [involved], and matching that up with the proper paper grade. Then a mill can experience success with this product. It is for this reason that it would be good to grade the product, so the definition can be explored more thoroughly.”
Concerns about the potential impact of silicone residues on the end products (an example might be the production of textile fibers from recycled film), and the inherently lower price levels for raw materials entering these alternative markets were a few of the other aspects the group covered in the call.
Paul provided an overview of what Mid America does and its process of growing paper waste’s value and its mission and support for paper label processors to find ways to recover and recycle label release liner materials. As Paul answered questions, the group discussed the wide variance in label production processes and recycling capabilities in different markets. “Since some label substrates are more accepted by paper mills than others, mitigating label material waste can be more difficult than it sounds,” Paul noted. “Getting recycling right often requires more extensive packaging material changes than meets the eye, changes that are much more than skin deep. As a recycler, Mid America is researching options, solutions and outlets for effectively recycling this material going forward. It’s good to know there is more interest today in providing a sustainable solution for label release liner and matrix materials.”
And with more release liner recycling gradually taking place through suppliers, producers, waste management firms, chemical recyclers and others, CELAB sees more opportunities to facilitate collaboration with businesses up and down our industry’s value chain.
“We’re not only providing customer service and logistics as well as pick-up of recyclable materials, we inform customers of their many options to sending product to a landfill. There is a lot that can be done to improve internal processes, which in turn, improves their wastestream. We understand both sides of the recycling equation, so education can be a real game changer for our customers. Paper release liners and silicone backing papers are good fiber materials that certain customers want.”
CELAB member Brian Lawrence, Business Development for Circular Economy at Henkel Adhesives, said the consortium’s work is only in its infancy, as many packagers and paper mills are looking for more sustainable engineering adhesive solutions, especially solutions that can be recycled. “Finding those who can recycle release liner and label matrix materials, and matching them to those who can use it -- showing them what opportunities, material formats and options exist, could be a way to start the conversation as we identify potential solutions.”
Launched in 2020, CELAB researches the best practices of matrix and liner recycling, and shares its findings with recyclers such as Mid America, other associations and third parties, to accelerate exploration of new outlets for materials. Both Mid America and CELAB endorse a platform of solutions for pressure-sensitive label liner and matrix recycling that include classifying waste and reducing landfill waste.
CELAB’s member goals for 2022 include recycling 50 percent of all label liner materials, consulting with matrix recycling outlets and engaging with consulting firms to match industries with matrix waste. It also plans a pilot program in the European Union that, if successful, could roll out to other regions.
CELAB membership is open to all companies in the self-adhesive label supply chain who commit to its objectives and are willing to help support its work. For additional information on CELAB, including a full list of CELAB members companies and activities, visit www.CELABGlobal.org.
Need a recycling partner for your labeling products? For more information, contact Mid America today at info@midamericapaper.com.
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