Recyclable Technology
In-mold technologies used for the labeling and decoration of plastic products are a sustainable and recyclable alternative to many other types of labels or decoration.
"In-mold labels are not removed in the recycling process since they are bonded with the wall of the package. They will flow though the recycling process...and be blended with the recycled [resin]. The lack of adhesive is beneficial to recycling since it cannot affect color or other mechanical properties."
At the IMDA, Recyclable refers to the ability of a product to be recycled – to be accepted at the MRFs for processing, converted into recycled material and reused in future operations.
The label or decoration is made of the same material type as the product or container, which simplifies sorting during the recycling process and allows the entire object to be ground into recyclate.
No adhesives are used to secure the label to the product or container. Recycling facilities have indicated adhesives can “gum up” the screens in the recycling equipment when the paper label is removed from the plastic container.
IML is a recommended labeling technology.
