FlexOn Label Printing

Is Your Packaging Recyclable? (Part 2) STICK with me for a moment to find out! 👇 Last time, we discussed why packaging recyclability matters. Now let’s dive into what truly makes packaging recyclable—and how you can ensure your packaging meets these standards. What Makes Packaging Recyclable? Today, there’s no single standard for recyclability, though new PPWR regulations aim to establish one. Based on the PPWR and Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) guidelines, recyclable packaging must meet specific criteria, the most important of which are: 1. Designed for Recycling: Packaging should be crafted to function with existing recycling systems. Materials need to be compatible with standard recycling processes to maximize their reuse potential. 2. Collection & Sorting: To be recyclable, packaging should be easily collected and compatible with common sorting systems. For optimal effectiveness, at least 60% of consumers or communities need access to facilities that accept this type of packaging, and it shouldn’t interfere with the recyclability of other materials in the waste stream. 3. Recycling at Scale: Packaging must be recyclable on a large scale in a cost-effective way. This means that the necessary infrastructure should be in place across multiple regions, allowing the materials to be processed into feedstock suitable for new products. How to Ensure Your Packaging Is Recyclable To meet recyclability standards, consider using solutions certified by recognized recyclability programs like RecyClass. These certifications can provide independent verification that your packaging is compatible with recycling systems, ensuring it’s ready to meet new EU guidelines. Relying on certification helps guarantee that your materials can be effectively collected, sorted, and processed on a large scale—minimizing regulatory risks and supporting your sustainability goals. In upcoming posts, I’ll guide you through choosing the right labels for various packaging materials—like paper, glass, plastics, and aluminum—to ensure the entire package meets recyclability standards. STICK with me for practical insights, and follow my profile for updates!

Do you know the difference between reflective, fluorescent, and photoluminescent labels? Stick with me for a moment to find out! 👇 Nowadays, labels and stickers can serve functions beyond advertising and information. In this post, I’ll explain three interesting effects that enhance the functionality of labels and stickers. Each of these technologies works differently, and their applications offer various benefits.

Customer Question: "Can eco-friendly labels have embellishments and still be eco-friendly?" STICK with me for a moment to find out! 👇 Many clients wonder if embellishing a label—such as adding raised varnish or hot stamping—might affect its eco-friendly properties. It’s a crucial question, especially for brands that want to showcase sustainability while offering standout products. The answer is yes, but with a few considerations. Enhancing eco-friendly labels is possible, but it's important to be mindful of these key aspects: 3D Varnish – Achieving a raised effect requires thick UV varnish, which isn’t the most eco-friendly option. To minimize the impact, it’s best to use it sparingly—highlighting only select elements of the label. Hot stamping – Using metallic foils doesn’t necessarily harm recyclability. Research shows that foil-stamped papers generally don’t cause problems in recycling. However, larger foiled areas may reduce fiber quality, so it's best to keep the design subtle. Embossing – This technique adds texture and a 3D effect without additional materials, making it the most sustainable form of embellishment. Special colors – Colors outside the CMYK palette require extra ink mixing and setup, leading to waste and increased energy use. Reducing special colors helps keep the process eco-friendly. Laminates – Laminating paper labels creates multi-material combinations that complicate recycling. Where possible, it's better to replace laminates with varnish to maintain recyclability. Is embellishing worth it? Eco-friendly labels should catch the eye. By using the right techniques, you can enhance the premium feel of your product while maintaining its sustainable character. The key is to ensure that embellishments don’t overwhelm the label’s eco-friendly qualities, ensuring your brand message remains consistent. If you’re looking for solutions that combine style and sustainability, I can help you find the best technology to enhance your product without sacrificing its green appeal. Do you think eco-friendly labels should be embellished? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Is Your Packaging Recyclable? STICK with me for a moment to find out how to make sure it is! Over the next few weeks, I’ll help you organize your knowledge about labelled packaging recyclability. The goal of this post series is to provide you with the essential information needed to prepare your packaging for the upcoming EU regulations. Why is recyclability important? Let’s start by answering why we should care about whether our packaging is recyclable. 1. Regulations The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in the European Union makes recyclability not just a good practice but a legal requirement! By 2030, all packaging on the European market will need to meet specific standards – not only must they be easy to recycle, but they must also contain a minimum percentage of recycled content. From 2030, packaging will need to be at least 70% recyclable, and most plastic packaging will need to include at least 30% recycled materials. 2. Responsibility According to the European Commission, packaging waste accounts for nearly half of the debris polluting our seas and oceans. Add to that the millions of tons that end up in landfills and waste incinerators (about 15.7 million tons in 2021, according to Eurostat), and we start to see the massive impact of packaging waste on our planet. While recycling rates are improving, meeting the new regulations will require us to introduce packaging that is fully recyclable. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials and helps lower CO2 emissions related to production, incineration, and landfill use. It is our responsibility to produce packaging that is recyclable and does not litter our planet. 3. Cost Efficiency Initially, producing recyclable packaging and labels may come with additional costs. However, over time, supporting recycling efforts will help avoid or reduce penalties associated with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Moreover, by introducing eco-friendly packaging, you communicate a responsible approach to consumers – and research shows that consumers value this and are willing to pay a premium for more sustainable products. Conclusion Ensuring that your packaging is recyclable isn’t just about meeting legal requirements, but about taking real steps toward sustainable growth that doesn’t come at the planet’s expense. Consumers appreciate this approach and are more likely to choose sustainable products. In the upcoming posts, I’ll go into detail on how to choose the right label for different types of packaging to ensure the entire product is recyclable. If this post piqued your interest and you’re curious to learn more, follow my profile for updates!

Did you know that labels can be made from organic waste? No? STICK with me to get inspired by sustainable innovation! 👇 In the world of eco-friendly materials, the boundaries of innovation are constantly expanding. One of the latest trends is label materials made with organic waste – like grape pomace from winemaking, citrus peels, or mown grass. Why does this inspire me? Materials that would typically be discarded find new life as unique, eco-friendly labels while reducing demand for virgin resources. Using these materials allows us to create labels with distinctive character. I love recommending them to clients with products that have soul and unique character, products that deserve a label as unique as they are. Storytelling of a conscious brand In the below photos, you can see how exceptional these sustainable materials look. Labels like these tell the story of your product’s artisan quality and your commitment to the environment – something consumers truly appreciate, as studies clearly show. No greenwashing These organic-blend materials are largely made from recycled fibers, which means that by choosing them, you make a real impact on reducing deforestation for paper production. Unlike the common faux-kraft printed films on the market, this is authentic eco-action. Is it for everyone? Of course – not necessarily. But even if these textured labels aren’t the right match for your product, I can help you find a white or decorative label that’s just as eco-friendly. Have you seen products with labels like these? Let me know in the comments. My guess is you’ve come across them far less frequently than the popular kraft-patterned plastic packaging!