Packaging successful adoption that contains recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) depends on minimizing contamination of the recyclate from caps, labels, inks adhesives and other sources in US.
The first commercial product using the label material already tested and approved by several end users is expected to arrive on store shelves during the third or fourth quarter of 2012.
One recycling-friendly pressure-sensitive labeling solution from Spear, Mason, Ohio, consists of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) with a specialized adhesive.
Available in clear/white, the BOPP label material, its adhesive and any ink separate from the PET during the washing process and can be skimmed off.
rPET at levels up to 50% exhibits acceptable haze and clarity and is suitable for production of containers.
Performance of the labels in the recycling process has been confirmed by an independent third party, Plastics Forming Enterprise, Amherst, N.H., which followed testing protocols developed by the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers, Washington, DC.
