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In-Mold Labelling & Green Issues Where are we? Where do we go from here?
In-Mold Labelling &
Green IssuesWhere are we?
Where do we go from here?
What is in-mold labeling (IML)?
In-mold labeling (IML) is the simultaneous, one-shot molding of a plastic container/part together with an attached label. The label is fused with the plastic container/part to achieve a “no-label” look.
In-mold labels can be found on cans, cups and lids available on all supermarket shelves, where they attract consumers to food and non-food products.
But what can we do to make it eco friendly?
Why choose in-mold labels (IML) over
pressure-sensitive labels (PSL)?
The in-mold labels are part of the label-family, next to shrink sleeves,
wraparound labels and pressure sensitive labels. The in-mold labels
advantages over other labels are that they do not require additional glue
during application and have great resistance to moisture, chemicals and
scratching.
To achieve this high performance, IML production usually requires materials
(substrate, ink, protective varnish) that can withstand high temperatures
during the molding process.
The main difference between an in-mold label and a pressure-sensitive label
is that the pressure-sensitive label is affixed to the surface of the plastic
container, while the in-mold label actually becomes part of the finished
product. Less packaging, less waste
There are three types of in-mold
labeling
Injection Molding — Typically used for small containers (up to 1 kg) with lids,
in the food and perishables industry, for products such as ice cream, cheese,
butter and sour cream.
Blow Molding — Typically used for bottles and large containers (up to 5 kg),
for health and beauty products (e.g. shampoo, lotions), and other products
such as motor oils and housecleaning products.
Thermoforming — Typically used for small containers (like with injection
molding), for products in the food and perishables industry. Fi
In-Mold Labelling & Eco Issues
It’s without a doubt that in-mold labeling is a growing segment among brand
owners and consumers alike in both the consumer product and food segments.
As a favorable alternative to glass and metals, in-mold packaging is
anticipated to grow nearly 3% by 2018 – second only to shrink sleeves in
packaging growth.
A variety of sustainable features.
As the packaging and the label are made with the same material, the package
is fully recyclable.
Its lightweight, meaning decreased shipment emissions and a much smaller
transportation footprint.
Can also be stacked tightly, so there’s less wasted space during shipment and
on store shelves (think shipment emissions and refrigeration/restocking costs)
Environmentally Friendly?
Millennials have shown they are
willing to pay more for a product
with packaging that is
environmentally friendly.
One key factor in the lingering
negative connotation of plastics is
landfills and biodegradability. Many
plastics do not biodegrade to any
significant degree, while some do
so very slowly if exposed to air,
water and light.
Is there a solution?
In 2012, nearly 1.02 billion pounds of post-consumer rigid plastics were recycled nationwide – triple the amount recycled in 2007.
Today, over 60% of people in the U.S. have access to non-bottle rigid container recycling.
With trends like these headed in the right direction, the increase in rigid plastic recycling and the decrease in littering may ultimately determine the long-term success of in-mold labeling (in addition to reusability, composting and other sustainable plastic initiatives).
Friend or foe?
Today, over 60% of people in the U.S. have access to non-bottle rigid
container recycling. Is that enough?
With 40% of U.S. consumers still in need of access to such recycling programs
and with plastic accounting for 19.3% of the U.S. litter source, in-mold
labeling will still continue to see sustainability as both friend and foe.
it is up to both the consumer and the marketplace to continue investing in
such resources.
Meanwhile…
Sustainable Packaging Coalition
The SPC is an industry working group dedicated to a more robust
environmental vision for packaging. Through strong member support, an
informed and science-based approach, supply chain collaborations and
continuous outreach, they endeavor to build packaging systems that
encourage economic prosperity and a sustainable flow of materials.
The SPC is a project of GreenBlue®, a nonprofit that equips business with the
science and resources to make products more sustainable.
Who is Greenblue?
GreenBlue is a nonprofit dedicated to the sustainable use of materials in society.
They’re building a world where businesses are leaders for environmental stewardship and products are designed from the start with sustainability in mind.
They bring together key stakeholders to encourage innovation and best practices to promote the creation of a more sustainable materials economy, where human activity is in balance with Earth's carrying capacity. Guided by the principles of sustainable materials management, they help people use wisely, eliminate toxicity, and recover more.
Our work is business-facing: we focus on design and production, rather than consumption.Our work is science-based: we bring technical expertise and scientific rigor to business challenges.Our work is systems-based: we use life cycle thinking to solve problems and drive change through whole supply chains.Our work is interdisciplinary: we work across many industry sectors and product types.Our work is collaborative: we bring together the best minds in business for sustainability innovations.
Definition of Sustainable Packaging
In 2005, the SPC completed version 1.0 of the Definition of Sustainable
Packaging. This definition represents an important first step in articulating a
common understanding of the term “sustainable packaging.”
It provides a common vision and a framework for understanding activities
directed toward improving packaging, and continues to inform the future
vision of the coalition and its individual member-companies. This definition
has been widely adopted throughout the packaging industry
Define Sustainable Packaging
Is beneficial, safe & healthy for individuals and communities throughout its
life cycle
Meets market criteria for both performance and cost
Is sourced, manufactured, transported, and recycled using renewable energy
Optimizes the use of renewable or recycled source materials;
Is manufactured using clean production technologies and best practices
Is made from materials healthy throughout the life cycle
Is physically designed to optimize materials and energy
Is effectively recovered and utilized in biological and/or industrial closed loop
cycle
Achieving Sustainable Packaging via
technology
COMPASS (Comparative Packaging Assessment)® is online design assessment
software that allows packaging professionals to compare the environmental
impacts of their package designs using a life cycle approach.
It is an online streamlined life cycle assessment (LCA) solution tailored for
packaging design evaluations. COMPASS puts the power of LCA in the hands of
design professionals so that key environmental performance criteria can be
easily incorporated into the concept development and material selection
steps.
COMPASS provides consistently modeled data sets for materials and processes
for packaging to allow reliable apples to apples comparisons of multiple
scenarios. Currently supported regions are USA, Canada, Europe, China, and
Mexico. Additional regions are in the pipeline.
COMPASS
In addition, regionalized solid waste modeling provides a waste profile of each scenario to help understand the end of life (EoL) implications of packaging designs.
How can COMPASS enable the design process
Quick what-if scenario playing to get guidance on which option works best for your company
Side by side comparison of up to four alternatives simultaneously
Benchmark environmental profile of existing portfolio
Generate life cycle impact data for key metrics
Understand the solid waste profile of a proposed package prior to market entry
Track changes and communicate with stakeholders and B2B reporting
An important tool to sustainability
So now what?
people & technology
better packaging with less waste (think of the banana leaf)
Awareness
Improvements in components
Thank you
And Thanks to
Inland
Hewlett Packard
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition
Verdant Copy
www.verdantcopy.com
Robyn Travis, CEO
I can be reached at:
