Independent body certifies clear RF labels and RFID inlays on product packaging can be included in household recycling collections

 

Continuing its drive to support all of its customers’ recyclability and sustainability initiatives, leading sustainability security label manufacturer, Checkpoint Systems has today announced the results of an independent study that have proven that packaging featuring/bearing its clear RF labels and RFID inlays can be recycled as part of household recycling collections

The study, conducted by respected, Germany-based environmental services provider Interseroh+, certifies that Checkpoint’s range clear RF labels and RFID inlays are Made For Recycling.

This means that they can be included as part of normal household recycling process, without having to be separated from packaging.

A boost for plastic recycling globally

Each year Checkpoint manufacturers 1.75 billion clear RF labels that are applied to a wide variety of plastic packaging, including those manufactured from Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP).

The labels are applied in-store, or at the point of manufacture, to protect products, like cleaning products, protein powder packs, confectionery and fresh meat, from theft and are unlikely to be removed by consumers after purchase.

Peace of mind for recyclers and retailers

Without certification that the attached labels are recyclable, millions of plastic products are potentially being wrongly sent to incineration or landfill due to fears they are contaminating the recycling waste stream.

Today’s announcement gives recyclers and retailers peace of mind that PP and PE plastic packaging materials featuring Checkpoint's clear RF labels and inlays can be safely recycled.

Providing consumers with more information

In 2022 the flexible packaging production volume is expected to soar to more than 33m[1]  metric tonnes globally. The nature of this type of packaging means that some do not carry recycling information, as it is difficult to print on the thin material.

As Checkpoint's clear RF labels are now certified as causing no harm to the recycling process, the company can print the globally recognised recycling symbol on its labels before being applied to packaging. This will enable brands using packaging items in flexible PE and PP to increase recycling rates on their product lines.

 

Ivan Gosling, Global Product Manager at Checkpoint Systems, commented:

“We are delighted with the results of this study, which clearly highlights our commitment to helping our customers achieve their sustainability goals. Following the recent news that our labels can be recycled with paper-based packaging, this is another step forward on our journey to provide brands and retailers with high performing, quality labels that can be included in standard recycling processes to support environmental initiatives.

“Plastic packaging already has a low recycling rate, which is currently less than 10%[2]  globally, with millions of labels being applied to FMCG products packed in plastic every year to protect them against theft. Thanks to this new certification we hope that recyclers will be able to increase this rate, knowing that Checkpoint’s clear RF labels and RFID inlays are recyclable.”

 

Checkpoint’s range of fully recyclable clear RF labels and RFID inlays are available immediately.

 

To view the full reports and certificates, please get in touch. [email protected]

 

[1] https://www.statista.com/statistics/719097/production-volume-of-the-global-flexible-packaging-industry/

[2] From Pollution to Solution, United Nations Environment Programme, 2021