How Durable Are Sustainable Labels?

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Tortoise on pastic bottles

How Durable Are Sustainable Labels?

As more businesses focus on eco-friendly practices, many are turning to sustainable labels to reduce their environmental impact. However, a common concern is whether these labels are as durable as traditional ones. In this article, we look at how well sustainable labels hold up in different conditions and compare them to traditional alternatives.

What Are Sustainable Labels?

Clear Biodegradable Label
Clear Biodegradable Label

Sustainable labels are made from environmentally friendly materials like recycled paper, biodegradable plastics (from natural sources like cornstarch or sugarcane), or plant-based films such as cellulose or polylactic acid (PLA).

These materials reduce the use of oil based products, while still performing well in everyday use. Designed with the planet in mind, they often use glues and coatings that are less harmful, ensuring that both the label and the packaging contribute to more eco-friendly practices without compromising on quality.

Are Sustainable Labels Durable?

The short answer is kind of.

It depends on how you define sustainable.  If sustainable means made without petroleum based ingredients then sustainable labels have come a long way and can now match the durability of traditional labels. Some key factors influencing label durability include water resistance, heat exposure, and adhesive strength.

  1. Water Resistance: Labels made from plant-based films or recyclable plastics can handle moisture, making them suitable for products frequently exposed to water like drinks or cosmetics.
  2. Heat Resistance: Sustainable materials, like bio-based plastics, are specifically engineered to withstand high temperatures, preventing labels from peeling or breaking down when exposed to moderate heat.
  3. Adhesive Strength: Modern adhesives ensure that labels stick securely to products throughout their use. At the same time, we can supply you with water soluble and peelable adhesives to allow for easy removal when needed, without leaving residue, supporting recycling and reducing waste.

The Question of Plastic Pollution

Unfortunately these plant based plastics are still harmful to the environment, as they are not biodegradable.

Unprocessed plastic bottles
Unprocessed plastic bottles

The answer is to make them as easy to recycle as possible.

Traditional adhesives make it difficult to remove labels to be recycled.

Label-less plastic bottles
Label-less plastic bottles

The solution here is washable glue.  Using washable adhesive labels, recyclers are able to separate labels from other materials (glass or cardboard). 

With washable adhesive, you can now recycle the packaging more easily, you can separate the labels and possibly recycle them.

Durable Alternatives to Plastic Labels

Paper, by its nature, soaks up water.  That means it’s not a good material for wet or moist situations.

One of our material suppliers has been working on a solution to this.  Using their own paper mill, they have been developing paper labels which are more durable but at the same time, both sustainable and biodegradable.

Whilst these materials aren’t perfect for every situation – it would be worth testing.

A word of caution – these materials are more expensive than standard papers or even plastics and you would need to buy a large minimum quantity – running to hundreds of thousands of labels I would imagine.

Industry Examples

Many industries, such as food and cosmetics, have successfully switched to sustainable labels without sacrificing durability. For example, bio-based labels are used on chilled food items where exposure to water and low temperatures is common, and they perform just as well as conventional labels.

Conclusion

Sustainable labels are not only great for the environment but also highly durable. With advancements in materials and adhesives, businesses no longer need to worry about the performance of eco-friendly labels. They can withstand heat, moisture, and wear, making them a reliable choice for various industries. 

But remember, sustainable labels aren’t the same as biodegradable.  Biodegradable labels aren’t as durable.  Sustainably made labels are. 

Interested in testing them for your own products? 

Contact us today to request a free sample and test the strength of our sustainable labels first hand!

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