The focus on sustainability is ever-growing amongst consumers, therefore businesses of all sizes and in all industries must take heed of these developments by introducing measures that promote sustainability in the products they produce. Single-use plastics are on the verge of near extinctions with the bans and sanctions that are both in place and on the horizon, so now is the time to make the jump to sustainable labels and packaging to prevent being left in the rear-view mirror by companies that acted early on the trends.
What is the Difference Between Compostable and Biodegradable?
Biodegradable materials are defined as materials that will break down completely and decompose and be absorbed into the natural elements within one year. Ultimately, this helps to combat the problem with rising levels of waste and refuse that doesn’t decompose and requires storage which creates pollution issues.
Compostable materials are materials that require special measures to break down, most commonly relating to temperature and humidity. However, these materials are then broken down into an actual compost that is fit for further use across many mediums.
Both biodegradable and compostable materials are considered much kinder for the planet than packaging and materials that cannot be broken down, but are still not as beneficial as recycled materials, although there is also further arguments to be made on the amount of energy burned during the recycling process.
Problematic Plastics
Plastics, contrary to the press you may read, are incredibly beneficial to us. They are versatile, weigh very little, can be produced for an incredibly low cost and can be used in a plethora of items and products that are deemed utterly essential for some. However, 99% of plastics pose massive eco issues to the planet due to their single-use characteristics, and ultimately plastics largely generate more problems than solutions due to the alternative materials available for use.
This is one of the main reasons why compostable materials are becoming so popular in the packaging industry. They can be used for a specific purpose, before being disposed of and broken down to benefit other industries and fields such as farming. The key is to find materials and products that serve virtually the same purpose as plastic without any of the negatives. This may sound like somewhat of a pipedream, but in the coming years, plastic will be all but obsolete in most circles.
Compostable labels are typically made from a wood pulp which is renewable and sustainably harvested from a forest that is under the protection of a sustainability scheme. This can be transformed into high-gloss white or clear labelling.
What Are These Materials Best Used for?
Compostable labels are suitable for a vast array of products, packaging’s, and applications. Fresh food manufacturers are utilising compostable labels on their products, cosmetic companies are, who are often under a great deal of scrutiny, are using them for their beauty products, and pretty much any other product that requires branded and decorative labelling could do much worse than compostable labels.
What Can the Compost be Used for?
Compostable materials must meet certain standards to be classified as ‘Compostable’. To obtain the EN 13432 certification the product is put through some rigorous testing. For example, the material would be left to compost for 3 months in a 2mm sieve, and on completion of the time, there must be no more than 10% of the product left in the sieve. In addition, the compost it creates will then be tested for its eco-toxicity, to ensure that the compost itself doesn’t pose any pollution worries. Once the compost and material pass the test, they can then be used in agricultural operations across the country.
Compostable Adhesives
Of course, the labels are only as effective as the adhesive that links them to the product or packaging. Label adhesives are key aspects of the overall sustainability efforts due to the toxicity of the chemicals used in the majority of glues, not to mention the animal aspects of some, which would render the product unusable for the vegan community. Now, remember that there is a big difference between compostable and biodegradable, so if a biodegradable adhesive is used on a compostable label, the label no longer qualifies as compostable. Pressure-sensitive adhesive is the standout for a compostable adhesive as it doesn’t require any solvents or chemicals to initiate the bonding process, just pressure.
Benefits of Compostable Adhesives and Labels
- No Micro-Plastic Pollution Issues – PSA adhesives will eventually breakdown into CO2, and the labels will break down into compostable material for further use.
- Recycling Compost – While the product isn’t recyclable the compost it creates is.
- Hit Consumer and Brand Goals – Companies across the world such as Nespresso have made sustainability and recycling key company goals which has proven very popular with an increasingly aware consumer base.
- Compliance with Regulations – Along with pleasing consumers, these progressions will serve your company well in the future as the bans and restrictions on plastics grow stronger and less flexible.
Sustainable Inks
So, we’ve covered the problems and solutions for label material and adhesives, but there is another aspect to the labelling process – ink. Unsurprisingly, ink generates quite a big problem for the sustainability of these products due to the chemical compounds used in traditional inks. The problem is, traditional inks release something called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which essentially pollute the air with carbon composites. Therefore, for labelling to be truly sustainable and eco-friendly we need to incorporate eco-friendly inks that minimise these harmful VOCs. The most common inks that solve this problem are Vegetable, Soy and Algae inks, and you can find out more about them on our dedicated Sustainable Inks page.