Resources
Learn more from IMDA partners and industry resources.
The Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) list in-mold labeling and decoration as a “preferred” technology.
According to the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR):
“APR’s Design Guide helps package designers measure each aspect of a package design against industry accepted criteria to ensure that it is truly recycling compatible.”
Download a handout on the Sustainability and Recyclability of In-Mold Technologies
Polypropylene (PP)
“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 with the PP and be blended with the recycled PP. The lack of adhesive is beneficial to recycling since it cannot affect color or other mechanical properties. The label polymer and ink should be compatible with PP so as not to negatively affect its properties.” Read the full guidance at the APR site, linked below.
High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
“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 with the HDPE and be blended with the recycled HDPE. The lack of adhesive is beneficial to recycling since it cannot affect color or other mechanical properties. The label polymer and ink should be compatible with HDPE so as not to negatively affect its properties.” Read the full guidance at the APR site, linked below.
Resources
Association of Plastics Recyclers (plasticsrecycling.org)
U.S.-based group represents plastics recyclers, publishesthe APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability and a directory of products made from PCR plastic, offers a PCR Certification Program and a library of rigorous testing protocols to evaluate the recyclability of new packaging technologies.
The Association of Plastics Recyclers, “PP (Polypropylene, Resin Identification Code #5),” The Association of Plastics Recyclers | PP Design Guidance (plasticsrecycling.org), accessed March 23, 2023.
Consorzio Nazionale Imballagi (conai.org)
Italy’s national packaging consortium, publishes Design for Recycling guidelines.
European PET Bottle Platform (epbp.org)
Provides polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle design guidelines for recycling, evaluates PET packaging and technologies and facilitates understanding of the impact of bottle innovations on recycling.
Flexographic Technical Association (flexography.org)
Professional society for the flexographic printing community offers resources to support sustainability efforts.
“Niche Market No More: In-Mold Labels Strengthen Brand Recognition, Cut Waste,” https://www.flexography.org/industry-news/in-mold-label-iml-strengthen-brand-recognition-cut-waste/, accessed March 17, 2023.
INGEDE International Association of the Deinking Industry (ingede.com)
Evaluates deinkability for impact on recycling.
How2Recyle (how2recycle.info)
A project of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, a program GreenBlue, an environmental nonprofit, this standardized on-package labeling program helps U.S. and Canadian consumers recycle properly.
Institut für Kunststofftechnologie und -recycling e. V. (iktr-online.de)
Recycling evaluations.
National Association for PET Container Resources (napcor.com)
Trade association for the PET packaging industry in the U.S., Canada and Mexico offers sustainability resources.
Petcore Europe (petcore-europe.org)
Works with stakeholders across the PET value chain in Europe to ensure the sustainable growth of PET as a packaging material and to increase post-consumer collection and recycling.
Plastics Industry Association (plasticsindustry.org)
U.S.-based trade association represents the entire plastics supply chain, supports global competitiveness and advances recycling and environmental sustainability.
Plastics Recyclers Europe (plasticsrecyclers.eu)
Works toward making plastic circular via a holistic approach.
RecyClass (recyclass.eu)
European nonprofit works toward a circular plastic future via thedevelopment of scientific testing methods for innovative materials, the Design for Recycling Guidelines and the free RecyClass Online Tool, as well as a system to reliably trace the origin of plastic waste, as well calculate and verify the recycled content in plastic products.
RecyClass, “RecyClass: Impact of PP-based In-Mould-Labels (IML) Technologies on Recycling of PP Containers,” https://recyclass.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Technical-Review-In-Mould-Labels-final.pdf, accessed March 17, 2023.
RecyClass, “Design for Recyclability,” https://recyclass.eu/recyclability/design-for-recycling-guidelines/, accessed March 20, 2023.
Suez (suez.com)
Waste management firm provides SUEZ-circpack® consulting services including packaging advice, design guidelines, and certification.
Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (sgppartnership.org)
Independent certification organization helps printers validate their sustainability efforts to print buyers.
Sustainable Packaging Coalition (sustainablepackaging.org)
Part of GreenBlue, the group serves as a leading voice on sustainable packaging, encompasses the entire supply chain and sponsors projects such as How2Label.
World Packaging Organisation (worldpackaging.org)
Publishes the Global Packaging Design for Recycling Guide in multiple languages.
Schultz, Ron, “Green Converting: Is IML Sustainable?,”Paper, Film & Foil Converter, March 2011, https://www.pffc-online.com/label-tape/9250-iml-sustainable-0301.
Lomont Molding, “In-Mold Decorating,”https://www.lomont.com/in-mold-graphics, accessed March 17, 2023.