What makes a label material recyclable?

A label material is recyclable-compatible when its facestock and adhesive either separate cleanly from the container during recycling or are made of a polymer compatible with the container's stream. The container decides: PET usually needs a wash-off adhesive, while HDPE and PP prefer a floatable polyolefin facestock.

How does wash-off label adhesive work?

Alkaline wash-off adhesive is designed to lose its bond in a caustic bath. In 1–2% sodium hydroxide at around 80 °C the label releases within 10–15 minutes and the adhesive disperses, so the recovered PET or glass is not contaminated with residue.

How much recycled content can rPET label facestock contain?

Our rPET and PCR label facestock is available with up to 90% post-consumer recycled content while keeping the clarity, stiffness and printability of virgin PET film, so it converts on existing flexo and digital presses.

Can you supply FSC-certified label paper with documentation?

Yes. FSC-certified label paper is supplied with chain-of-custody documentation referencing our certificate, which lets you carry the FSC label on the finished pack once your own converting site is certified.

Do sustainable label materials cost more?

Wash-off adhesive and rPET facestock typically add a modest premium over the equivalent standard construction, while FSC-certified paper is close to parity. Down-gauging the face or liner in the same specification usually offsets part of the difference.

What print methods are compatible with sustainable label materials?

Wash-off adhesive, rPET/PCR facestock and FSC-certified paper all run on flexo, offset, digital and thermal transfer without special equipment. Print method choice is driven by the facestock (paper or film), not by the sustainability route, so existing press setups apply.

How does the liner affect a recyclable-compatible label construction?

Use a down-gauged glassine or recycled-content PET liner to cut material use without changing dispensing performance, or specify a linerless thermal option to remove the liner entirely. The liner itself does not go through the container's recycling stream, so it is chosen for converting efficiency.

Can I get samples to validate a sustainable label construction with my recycler?

Yes. We ship test rolls of wash-off adhesive, rPET facestock or FSC-certified paper, with the datasheet, so your recycler, brand-owner or certification body can validate the construction against your target scheme before you commit to production.

Sustainable Range · AL-E

Sustainable Label Materials

Sustainable label materials — wash-off adhesive, rPET and PCR facestock, recyclable-compatible constructions and FSC-certified paper for brands with packaging recyclability targets.

FSC-certified
rPET / PCR
Wash-off
Recycle-compatible

Request a free sample Get a quote Use the material selector

Eco constructions: 4
Chain of custody: FSC
PCR content: 30 – 100%

Recycled kraft and FSC-certified paper label material rolls

What are sustainable label materials?

Sustainable label materials are pressure-sensitive constructions chosen so the label does not compromise the recyclability of the pack it is applied to, or so the label itself carries recycled or certified content. In practice this means four routes: an adhesive that releases in the recycler's wash, a facestock made from post-consumer recycled material, a face-and-adhesive combination compatible with the host container's recycling stream, or FSC-certified paper from responsibly managed forests.

Which route is correct depends on the container, not on the label. Returnable and single-use PET bottles need a wash-off adhesive that leaves the flake clean; HDPE and PP containers usually need a floatable or compatible facestock; corrugated and carton packaging is best served by FSC-certified paper and lightweight liners. Down-gauged faces and liners reduce material use in every case.

We supply test rolls so your recycler or a certification body can validate the construction before you commit. Tell us the container polymer, the wash conditions and any scheme you are certifying against, and we will match the material.

Range at a glance

Technical specifications
Wash-off adhesive	Releases in 1–2% caustic at 80 °C in 10–15 minutes · PET, glass
rPET / PCR facestock	Up to 90% post-consumer recycled content film
Recyclable-compatible	Face and adhesive matched to HDPE, PP and PET streams
FSC-certified paper	FSC Mix base paper with chain-of-custody documentation
Liner options	Down-gauged glassine, recycled PET liner, linerless
Print methods	Flexo, offset, digital, thermal transfer
MOQ	1 jumbo roll for stock grades; 500 kg for certified custom runs

Values are typical for standard constructions and are not a guaranteed specification. Ask for the datasheet for tolerances and test methods.

Typical applications

Returnable and single-use PET beverage bottles
Glass bottles in deposit and refill schemes
HDPE and PP household and personal care containers
FSC-labelled cartons and secondary packaging
Retail brands reporting on recycled content targets

Frequently asked questions

What makes a label material recyclable?: A label material is recyclable-compatible when its facestock and adhesive either separate cleanly from the container during recycling or are made of a polymer compatible with the container's stream. The container decides: PET usually needs a wash-off adhesive, while HDPE and PP prefer a floatable polyolefin facestock.
How does wash-off label adhesive work?: Alkaline wash-off adhesive is designed to lose its bond in a caustic bath. In 1–2% sodium hydroxide at around 80 °C the label releases within 10–15 minutes and the adhesive disperses, so the recovered PET or glass is not contaminated with residue.
How much recycled content can rPET label facestock contain?: Our rPET and PCR label facestock is available with up to 90% post-consumer recycled content while keeping the clarity, stiffness and printability of virgin PET film, so it converts on existing flexo and digital presses.
Can you supply FSC-certified label paper with documentation?: Yes. FSC-certified label paper is supplied with chain-of-custody documentation referencing our certificate, which lets you carry the FSC label on the finished pack once your own converting site is certified.
Do sustainable label materials cost more?: Wash-off adhesive and rPET facestock typically add a modest premium over the equivalent standard construction, while FSC-certified paper is close to parity. Down-gauging the face or liner in the same specification usually offsets part of the difference.
What print methods are compatible with sustainable label materials?: Wash-off adhesive, rPET/PCR facestock and FSC-certified paper all run on flexo, offset, digital and thermal transfer without special equipment. Print method choice is driven by the facestock (paper or film), not by the sustainability route, so existing press setups apply.
How does the liner affect a recyclable-compatible label construction?: Use a down-gauged glassine or recycled-content PET liner to cut material use without changing dispensing performance, or specify a linerless thermal option to remove the liner entirely. The liner itself does not go through the container's recycling stream, so it is chosen for converting efficiency.
Can I get samples to validate a sustainable label construction with my recycler?: Yes. We ship test rolls of wash-off adhesive, rPET facestock or FSC-certified paper, with the datasheet, so your recycler, brand-owner or certification body can validate the construction against your target scheme before you commit to production.

Still deciding? Ask for a sample roll

Tell us the facestock, adhesive and application. We send free A4 sheets or a test roll with the datasheet, and quote MOQ, lead time and FOB pricing within one working day.

Request a free sample Get a quote

Related materials and guides

Range

Materials in this range

Specification matrix