Copy of SUSTAINABILITY | Bidvest Labels

SUSTAINABILITY

Our label of trust extends to pushing the boundaries in sustainability in our products to ensure a greener future for the generations to follow.

“Let us stand together to make our world a sustainable source for our future as humanity on this planet.” - Nelson Mandela

At Bidvest Labels, we are deeply committed to protecting the environment and reducing the environmental impact of our products. Our dedication to sustainability drives us to continually innovate and push the boundaries in eco-friendly practices, ensuring a greener future for generations to come.

We adhere to the 4Rs of packaging sustainability: responsible sourcing, material reduction, recyclability, and increased recycled content.

As leaders in sustainability within the label printing industry in South Africa, we are proud to have introduced several notable initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable and responsible approach to printing.

Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC-C119866)

At Bidvest Labels, we recognise that responsible sourcing is a fundamental aspect of sustainability. While paper can be biodegradable and easily recyclable, it can also result from deforestation or unsustainable forestry practices. That's why we are committed to ensuring that our paper products are sourced responsibly.

We proudly adhere to the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC) standards – an internationally recognised certification system that identifies wood, paper, and other forest products sourced sustainably. With over 25 years of experience, FSC sets the gold standard for sustainable forest management, and we have been FSC Chain of Custody-certified (FSC-C119866) since 2015, becoming the first label printer in South Africa to achieve this certification.

SAVE OUR FORESTS. SAVE OUR CLIMATE.

Forests play a critical role in climate regulation by absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2), the most significant greenhouse gas. In collaboration with oceans, forests act as the planet's primary ecosystems for removing CO2 from the atmosphere. The Paris Agreement emphasised the importance of forests in combating climate change, urging all nations to conserve carbon sinks within forests.

FSC standards are vital in maintaining forest cover, preventing deforestation, and protecting forests from degradation. This is essential in addressing the global climate crisis and preventing a rise in global temperatures beyond 1.5°C.

At Bidvest Labels, we understand that recognising the full value of forest ecosystems – from carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation to soil protection and water services – is crucial for both climate action and sustainability. Through our commitment to FSC-certified sourcing, we are doing our part to ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for our planet.

Glassine Recycling

Self-adhesive labels are an excellent choice for product labelling, but the recycling of glassine liners has historically been a challenge in South Africa.

In collaboration with Avery Dennison, Bidvest Labels launched a pioneering pilot project in Cape Town in 2018 – the first-ever glassine liner recycling programme in South Africa.

Despite the many challenges, we are proud to have successfully recycled our first 21 tons of glassine liner, marking a significant achievement in our efforts to reduce waste and minimise landfill impact. This is a crucial step forward in promoting a more sustainable and environmentally responsible approach to labelling.

Material Reduction

A key pillar of a more sustainable future is reducing our environmental footprint. While pressure-sensitive labels make up less than 3% of a product’s overall packaging, reducing the use of raw materials can have a substantial impact on the environment.

At Bidvest Labels, we are committed to minimising resource usage by offering thinner, lighter films with reduced grammage, all without compromising the performance of the labels. Using less raw material not only generates less waste but also reduces consumer packaging volume, leading to higher efficiency for brand owners and contributing to a more sustainable packaging solution.

Our collaboration with Avery Dennison includes the Lite range, which features PP cavitated, PP clear, and semigloss options, all designed with sustainability in mind.

Recycled Content

A core principle of the circular economy is for raw material suppliers to incorporate recycled content into their virgin products, helping to conserve valuable resources and reduce environmental impact.

At Bidvest Labels, we offer a range of materials with up to 100% recycled content, significantly reducing the use of water, energy, and greenhouse gases.

Our rDT Direct Thermal Paper, containing 15% post-consumer waste, is the first recycled, non-top-coated direct thermal paper on the market. It’s an excellent solution for thermal applications, offering performance comparable to standard-grade paper while prioritising sustainability.

For wine label applications, our rCrush Wine Label Paper range is crafted from 30% to 100% recycled content, using responsibly sourced crop materials and available in a variety of unique finishes that inspire creativity.

Additionally, our rPET Recycled Liner, made partially from recycled PET plastic, is the thinnest film liner available on the market at just 23 microns. By using our liner recycling options, you can further reduce your environmental footprint, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Recyclable

Bidvest Labels has seen positive results from an 18-month collaboration with Avery Dennison to commercialise CleanFlake™ technology.

CleanFlake™ is an innovative pressure-sensitive adhesive that supports PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) recycling by ensuring clean separation during the sink/float process, a crucial step in recycling.

As the planet faces the growing challenge of plastic waste, every recycled package becomes more important. Label contamination is a significant barrier, preventing the proper recycling of millions of food-grade PET packages each year. This leads to downcycling or, in some cases, no recycling at all. CleanFlake™ technology guarantees that labels and adhesives separate from PET consistently, enhancing the yield of high-quality, pure PET flakes for reuse.

CleanFlake™ products have successfully passed the stringent tests of the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) and have been endorsed by Extrupet as an effective solution for recycling PET bottles into food-grade rPET at their facilities.

Through this initiative, Bidvest Labels is excited to promote the benefits of CleanFlake™, not just for PET bottles but for a range of other packaging formats, helping to set a sustainable example for the industry.

Compostable

The demand for compostable packaging is rapidly increasing across various industries, driven by tightening legislation on plastic use and the growing consumer preference for sustainable solutions.

Avery Dennison’s ClearIntent™ compostable range provides a selection of facestocks and adhesives that are fully compostable and can be safely reintroduced into nature. This range helps brand owners, retailers, and converters meet both consumer demand for environmentally-friendly products and the anticipated legislative requirements surrounding landfill waste and sustainable packaging.

However, it is crucial to understand that when applying compostable labels, the packaging itself must also be biodegradable and compostable for the process to be effective. Additionally, most compostable packaging requires industrial composting to break down properly, and in South Africa, the infrastructure and resources for this are currently limited. At Bidvest Labels, we are committed to providing sustainable options while navigating these challenges, offering innovative solutions to help businesses align with the growing need for responsible packaging.

Compostable

At Bidvest Labels, we recognise the vital role that renewable solutions play in reducing carbon dioxide emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change. As sustainability becomes increasingly important across all sectors, we are committed to offering innovative products that help businesses lower their environmental impact.

UPM Raflatac’s Forest Film™ is one such pioneering solution. This unique white or clear plastic label is crafted from wood-based residue materials, making it an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional plastic labels. Forest Film™ is part of the broader effort to phase out fossil fuels and reduce dependency on non-renewable resources, offering an effective step toward more sustainable labelling practices.

What makes Forest Film™ particularly innovative is the use of UPM BioVerno naphtha – a 100% wood-based solution derived from sustainably managed forests. This renewable material breathes new life into residue left over from the pulping process, turning what would otherwise be waste into a valuable resource. By using Forest Film™, brands can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to the global push for greener, more sustainable solutions.

At Bidvest Labels, we are proud to offer Forest Film™ as part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability. Through products like these, we empower businesses to take meaningful steps towards environmental responsibility while providing high-quality labelling solutions.

Bio-based Materials

At Bidvest Labels, we are always striving to support our clients with innovative and sustainable labelling solutions. UPM Raflatac continues to lead the way in transitioning from virgin fossil-based materials to bio-based alternatives. Their PP White Food FTC and PP Clear Food FTC labels are designed specifically for rigid food packaging and are ideal for the majority of PP labelling applications. These products are part of the SmartChoice™ portfolio, which is focused on reducing carbon footprints and combating climate change.

PP Food is a smart solution that reduces reliance on virgin fossil raw materials. By using thinner, more resource-optimised components, it minimises environmental impact while maintaining excellent performance. Alongside the use of R307 adhesive and FSC™ certified (FSC-C012530) HD Lite-FSC backing paper, this product represents a step forward in making rigid plastic packaging more sustainable.

Why Choose PP Food?

Carbon Footprint Reduction: PP Food is a practical way to meet your carbon footprint reduction goals.
30% Bio-Content: The material includes 30% bio-content sourced from vegetable oil, residues, and crude tall oil, making it more sustainable.
Positive Climate Impact: By using PP Food, we help replace 10 tons of virgin fossil-based material with bio-based alternatives, making a tangible impact on climate change.
ISCC PLUS Certification: Both products are certified by ISCC PLUS on a mass-balance basis, ensuring they meet rigorous sustainability standards.

Choosing PP Food allows brand owners to reduce their carbon footprint, improve the sustainability of their packaging, and position themselves as leaders in eco-friendly packaging solutions. With these materials, businesses can take meaningful steps toward reducing their environmental impact while maintaining the quality and effectiveness of their labels.

HDPE Recycling

At Bidvest Labels, we understand the growing need for sustainable packaging solutions, particularly when it comes to the recycling of HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) containers. Recycling HDPE can be challenging, especially with limited industry options available for facilitating the process.

A great way to address this issue is through mono-materials. Mono-materials are made from a single type of material, making them significantly easier to recycle compared to multi-material products.

In collaboration with Avery Dennison, we offer a range of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) labels with emulsion acrylic adhesives that elevate HDPE recycling. These labels take the recycling of HDPE to the next level with a mono-material approach, and they are the first to pass the rigorous testing of the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) for HDPE Critical Guidance. This certification ensures that the labels remain intact during the recycling process and do not affect the overall physical properties of the recycled HDPE pellets, ensuring that they meet the highest industry standards.

Benefits of Mono-Material Labels for HDPE Recycling:

Improved HDPE Recycling: The Avery Dennison HDPE mono-material labels stay with the container during recycling, ensuring that they do not hinder the recycling process and can be reused to create recycled HDPE (rHDPE) pellets, which can then be repurposed into new products.
Compatibility with Recycling Processes: These labels make it easier to recycle HDPE containers without contaminating the final product, preserving the quality of the rHDPE pellets for applications like pigmented products.
Sustainability and Versatility: The labels are available in a range of PP, PE, and PO film facestocks, offering a versatile solution for various types of packaging.
Certified by the APR: These labels meet or exceed the APR's strictest HDPE recycling criteria, ensuring their compatibility with the recycling process and supporting a circular economy.

By using Avery Dennison's HDPE mono-material labels, brands in industries like personal care, home care, and automotive can now choose an efficient, sustainable labelling solution that aligns with their environmental goals. These labels support HDPE recycling and downcycling, helping preserve valuable raw materials and contributing to a more sustainable future for packaging.

Recycling Symbols

Recycling and waste management are critical global issues, and it's more important than ever that consumers are equipped with the knowledge of what can and can’t be recycled. By doing so, they can make a significant contribution to reducing waste and supporting sustainable practices.

One of the most effective ways to guide consumers in their recycling efforts is through the use of recycling symbols. These universally recognised symbols are designed to indicate the recyclability of materials, helping both consumers and waste management facilities sort and process various materials correctly.

At Bidvest Labels, we incorporate the key recycling symbols to aid in this effort, ensuring that packaging is both consumer-friendly and aligned with current recycling guidelines. Here are some important symbols to be aware of:

Mobius Loop

The Mobius Loop is a widely recognised symbol featuring three arrows chasing each other in a triangle, forming a loop. This symbol signifies that the product or packaging is recyclable, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it will be accepted for recycling in all areas. Recycling practices can vary depending on local facilities and infrastructure.

Material Identification Code (MIC)

The Material Identification Code (MIC) is a symbol that consists of a number surrounded by three arrows forming a triangle. Each number represents a different type of plastic resin used in the product, such as:

1 – PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
2 – HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
3 – PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
4 – LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
5 – PP (Polypropylene)
6 – PS (Polystyrene)
7 – Other (often a mixture of plastics or other materials)

There is a common misconception that products with a MIC symbol can be recycled indefinitely. However, this symbol only identifies the type of material that the packaging is made of and not whether it is recyclable. While most plastic resins are technically recyclable, many cannot be processed in South Africa due to limitations in infrastructure, leading to a large amount of recyclable waste still ending up in landfills.

To help clear up this confusion, a group of leading South African retailers and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is working on standardised On Pack Recycling Logos (OPRLs) to clarify whether packaging can currently be recycled.

On Pack Recycling Logos (OPRLs)

The OPRLs will feature the Mobius loop alongside a label reading either "Recycled" or "Not Recycled." For packaging to be labelled "Recycled," it must be able to be collected and actively recycled at scale in at least one major city in South Africa. While the Material Identification Code will still appear on packaging, the OPRLs will also be prominently displayed wherever possible.

Recyclability information will be reviewed and updated regularly as recycling infrastructure improves, giving consumers a clearer understanding of how they can support sustainable packaging practices. At Bidvest Labels, we are committed to providing clear, accurate recycling information to ensure that we all play our part in reducing waste and supporting the circular economy.

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