Are you a food and drinks manufacturer keen to go green on your product labels?
If you’re already using paper labels on your bottles and boxes, that’s your green box ticked, right? Not quite.
Because true eco-friendly labels go way beyond the end product to the actual source. That includes the ingredients, processes and production methods used to make them.
Today, we’re pitching FSC-certified labels against recycled paper labels to understand their differences and uncover which best aligns with your sustainability strategy.
According to a 2021 report on consumer behaviour, over three-quarters of Australians believe recycling their packaging is the biggest contribution they can make towards helping the environment.
As such, all industries want to make sustainable choices to please their stakeholders (owners and customers!), and it’s no different in food and drink manufacturing. In fact, you could say it’s more crucial than in other sectors because of its colossal carbon footprint. While much of this is caused by the sheer amount of food waste and energy-consuming production methods, it leaves manufacturers looking at other ways to minimise waste. Like using sustainable packaging.
By opting for greener packaging from boxes to bottles, food and drink companies reduce their footprint and increase their brand popularity. And these things are critical in the ever-growing, fit-to-bursting FMCG sector.
Yet sustainability goes beyond the box or bottle to the product label. While often the smallest item on a package, the label wants to be as green as possible for production companies genuinely committed to becoming eco-friendly.
Nowadays, you’ll find a plethora of label options available to purchase from companies like LabEX, which are made from vinyl, polypropylene, synthetic metallic and paper.
Ask yourself which is the greenest option in this lineup, and you’ll likely say it’s the paper variety. And you’d be correct. Paper labels are the closest to natural on the market and your best effort towards achieving true sustainable food and drink packaging.
But did you know there are differences with the types of paper used in label production?
A recycled paper label is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional labels, crafted from post-consumer waste or recycled paper fibres. These labels are designed to minimise environmental impact by reducing the need for virgin materials and diverting waste from landfills. Utilising recycled paper promotes sustainability and conservation of natural resources, aligning with the principles of the circular economy.
These recycled labels often bear a symbol or indication of their recycled content, serving as a visible reminder of their eco-conscious origins. Embracing recycled paper labels demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship and encourages others to make sustainable choices in their packaging and labelling materials.
Then along came a new type of paper: FSC-certified!
FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council, an international body that grades paper based on its original source. To become FSC certified, paper (and other products like wood) must stem from responsibly managed forests.
It is a globally recognised certification that many eco-conscious brands use as part of their green strategy. Choosing FSC-certified paper demonstrates a commitment to environmental sustainability, ensuring that the paper comes from forests harvested responsibly, protecting biodiversity and ecosystems.
Many brands will tell you their products are sustainable, but in reality, it isn’t the case. This certification enables brands to tell customers how their products are sourced responsibly.
There are plenty of things to like about FSC-certified labels. They possess the same qualities as all LabEX labels, with the extra bonus of being FSC-certified, making them fully sustainable packaging labels – and that’s great news for today’s eco-conscious manufacturing companies.
Each FSC-certified label from LabEX comes with multiple benefits:
FSC labels are highly versatile, perfect for all types of applications - from food and drink packaging to personal care - and available in any size or shape.
There’s no need to worry about your print finish when it comes to paper. FSC labels take any colour, design or pattern onboard to produce the highest quality look and feel labels.
Sticking to any material, including glass, manufacturers can be confident of a label that stays precisely where it should be.
Not only are FSC labels made sustainably, but they are also 100% recyclable, ready to go back into the reproduction cycle.
While we would love to tell you that FSC-certified paper labels are the answer to all the world’s packaging problems, there are times when this solution isn’t the best fit.
Consider the following scenarios when choosing your product labels:
Paper labels may not be the best option if your labels are likely to come into contact with liquids, be kept in cold stores, or be exposed to condensation.
Bottled beers are a prime example of when a synthetic, waterproof label is better than paper. While some synthetic labels are non-recyclable, those made of polypropylene can be removed and recycled before the bottle goes through a glass or plastic recycling process.
Or why not consider packaging that doesn’t require a label—for example, recyclable cardboard with product information printed on the side using eco-friendly inks.
Your production budget is something no manufacturer can avoid, and you’re probably thinking FSC-certified paper labels will cost more than regular recycled paper labels.
Well, here’s the good news: it isn’t always the case.
Yes, some FSC-certified paper can cost more, yet other types are comparable to paper from non-sustainable forests. It’s important to ask your label supplier about costs per label before proceeding with an order, so you understand the final price of your label print run based on materials and quantity.
LabEX has been printing high-quality product labels for over forty years.
Our experience, cutting-edge printing presses and fast turn-around times are among the key reasons customers work with us. Now, with truly green solutions for more eco-conscious companies, your packaging goes above and beyond looking great by using our truly sustainable labels.
All our paper-based labels are FSC certified, recyclable and biodegradable labels. So, you can be sure when you order paper labels from LabEX, you are genuinely meeting your sustainability goals.
Innovative, experienced, and committed to quality, every LabEX product label is a durable, compliant, and aesthetically resonant brand champion.
Invest in the best.
