Labelling

Finat, the worldwide association for the self-adhesive label industry, is offering the first industrial scale opportunity for printers and end users to recycle spent release liner.

The siliconised label backing paper, which becomes waste after labels are applied to products, is being turned into paper hand towels and tissues for refilling dispensers in hotel and aircraft toilets.

The material is collected and shipped to India, where there is high demand for recovered paper, and pulped. Eight companies have signed up so far to the scheme.

The project is a result of deal between label manufacturer Skanem and US-based Maratech, part of the Channeled Resources Group.