It is common practice in the Crop Protection industry to use a booklet-style label to permanently identify the contents of each 1 gallon, 2.5 gallon, and bulk container and to carry the necessary use and safety information. In an effort to reduce landfill waste and the impact these containers might have on the environment, it is the intent of the Ag industry to recycle these containers whenever possible.
Unfortunately, the label materials, inks, and adhesives being used are inconsistent and therefore contaminate the recycling process, create higher waste, more landfill, slow the process, and reduce the value and potential end use of recycled plastic.
As a booklet label printer for the Crop Protection industry and members of the Ag Container Recycling Council, it is our responsibility to evaluate how these labels are used, their impact on the environment, and to identify materials and processes that can improve the end result.
What is Reclaim™?
Reclaim™ is a new direction in the booklet/labeling that incorporates the use of compatible label materials, printing inks, and adhesives that together improve label/container recycling compatibility, and lessens the impact on the environment.
It factors in the needs of Ag producers, Ag container recyclers, and consumers. The result is an extended text/booklet label that follows a new set of recycling and environmental guidelines while preserving your label's current design, function and look.
Currently, HDPE recyclers estimate a loss of seven to twelve percent of HDPE during the recycling process due to non-compatible label materials and adhesives. With the new Reclaim™, you will create less contamination, higher yield rates, and less landfill waste.
Paper and certain non-compatible plastic labels should be avoided as they increase contamination in the HDPE. During recycling, these non-compatible materials break down in the grinding and washing process, causing the screens to clog which increases recycling time and contamination of the HDPE. Reclaim's™ more compatible guidelines ensure that the label can be recycled with the HDPE container.
Until now, the adhesives used were picked based on their high initial tack and ability to bond to low energy surfaces such as HDPE. However, they react to heat and create problems during the recycling process by allowing contaminants to stick to the adhesive and gumming up the recycling equipment.
With the advancements and improvements in permanent adhesives, we now have more compatible options that offer high initial tack and the ability to adhere to low energy HDPE surfaces with a higher resistance to heat, making them an excellent choice for the recycling process, equating to less contamination and less equipment down time.
Today's environmentally-friendly standards recommend the use of inks that do not bleed when agitated in water. Label inks that bleed can discolor and contaminate the HDPE during recycling. To reduce the problem, Reclaim™ only uses recycling-friendly inks that won't bleed, which in turn makes Reclaim™ a better choice for recycling.
Reclaim™ is the first Ag label to focus on environmental awareness and compatibility. What makes it unique is that it utilizes materials and adhesives that are compatible with the HDPE Ag container and the recycling process. One of the great benefits of Reclaim™ is that the label can be recycled with the container.
Reclaim™ is a result of extensive label research, testing and discussions with Ag recycling contractors. We believe the following points to be the primary issues and concerns specific to the labeling, the process of container recycling and the positive impact of Reclaim™.
• Reduces landfill waste
• Streamlines the recycling process
• Reduces the effects of adhesives in recycling
• Contributes to a cleaner environment
• Retains your label's look and function
• No impact on your EPA text requirements
• Maintains permanent product identification
With the Reclaim™ identification symbol printed on the label, it becomes clear to consumers and recyclers that your company and this container are compatible with the recycling process.
Discover the advantages of Reclaim™ today. Test rolls, additional information, and technical support are free of charge and available upon request. To learn more, contact your Cimarron Label sales representative or Reclaim™ Technical Support:
Bob Anderson 877.720.2511