Knowing what our labels and their packaging are made of will help in ensuring you are disposing of them in a responsible and environmentally friendly manner.

Depending on the material you choose, our labels can be divided into two broad types – paper and non paper labels. The disposal method for each varies, and can also depend on what the label has been applied to. In addition, the carrier or backing paper that a new label initially sits on needs to be disposed of differently.

Structure of a label

Knowing the makeup of a label goes a long way in helping understand proper disposal practices. A label consists of 4 key components: 

• Upper material. This is the actual label that is printed on.
• Adhesive. Exists as a thin layer between the upper material and the carrier sheet. The adhesive is designed in such a way that on the one hand the label can be easily removed from the carrier sheet, but on the other hand it remains reliably in its new place after application.
• Silicone. This sits between the adhesive and carrier sheet, and ensures the label can be easily peeled off.
• Carrier Sheet. Also known as backing paper. This is what the label sits on.

Disposal of Labels

• Paper labels (matt, gloss, kraft brown) are recyclable so they can be placed in your recycling bin. If they are applied to an item which is also recyclable (eg. glass, paper, some plastics) then you can dispose of the entire item in the appropriate recycling bin. If they are applied to a non recyclable product you can try peeling the label off and disposing of it in the appropriate recycling bin, while the product can be disposed in the general waste bin.
• Non paper labels (heavy duty, polyester, clear) are not recyclable so they need to be placed in the general waste bin. If they are applied to a recyclable product you can try peeling them off and disposing of the label in the general waste bin. If the item they are applied to is also non recyclable then you will need to dispose of the entire item along with the label in the general waste bin.

Disposal of Carrier / Backing Paper

Due to the unrecyclable silicone that is fixed to the carrier paper, this needs to placed in the general waste bin. Currently there is no alternative option to produce backing papers without a silicone compound - rest assured we are working tirelessly to develop a solution.

Disposal of the packaging

Avery labels are packaged in different ways to ensure maximum quality and longevity. The type of packaging depends on various criteria: the product size and quantity, whether the products in the pack must be visible or whether a picture on the pack is sufficient and, of course, how the products are best protected.

The most common packaging type are cardboard (for example with our labels on A4 sheets), followed by packaging made of clear plastic with a cardboard insert for sizes smaller than A4.

• Cardboard. Place in your recycling bin.
• Plastic. Place in your general waste bin.