Labels, Adhesives & Recycling

1. PET bottles: use floatable polyolefin labels (<1.0 g/cm³) and wash-off/releasable adhesives that detach under hot caustic wash (~70–90 °C, ~1–2% NaOH, 8–15 min). [1, 3, 4, 5,9, 27]
2. HDPE/PP bottles: EU guidance requires releasable in recyclingadhesives—non-releasable systems are non-compatible. [7, 8]
3. Avoid paper PSL on PET unless verified water-soluble; otherwise expect fiber and adhesive residues on rPET flakes. [2, 11, 12]
4. Full-sleeve labels: choose floatable sleeves (PE/PP/OPP), add NIR-readable windows/perforations, and use no-bleed inks. PETG sleeves are generally incompatible. Keep ~20% of bottle area visible or pass NIR sort testing. [4, 13, 14, 32]
5. EPR/PPWR raise stakes: EU recyclability grading and UK EPR data/reporting link design choices to fees/claims; US Green Guides govern what can be called “recyclable.” [15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22]
6. Paper/fiber packs: specify adhesives proven removable under INGEDE 12 or PTS-RH 021 to avoid stickies and yield loss. [23, 24, 25, 26]
7. Document choices: keep test reports (APR Critical Guidance, RecyClass Approvals) in the spec pack—these underpin How2Recycle/OPRL designations and substantiate claims. [1, 6, 9, 10, 17, 18]

• Lock PET labels to PP/PE/BOPP face (<1.0 g/cm³) + alkali-releasable adhesive; require supplier’s APR or RecyClass protocol pass in RFQs. [1, 6, 9]
• For HDPE/PP, require “releasable in recycling” adhesives per RecyClass wording; add to artwork sign-off. [7, 8]
• Apply the sleeve decision tree (Section 7): floatable sleeves + NIR windows or pass SORT/NIR protocols. [13, 32]
• For paper/fiber, specify INGEDE 12 / PTS-RH 021 proven adhesives; require pass/fail reports. [23, 24]

• EU PPWR implementation + recyclability grading will make design choices auditable and fee-relevant. [20, 21, 22]
• US Green Guides update pending; state rules (e.g., CA SB 343) will tighten “recyclable” claims. [15, 31]
• Paper labels claiming PET-compatibility are emerging—treat as technology-specific exceptionsrequiring current APR/RecyClass recognition. [11]

• US: APR Design Guide & Critical Guidance govern component compatibility; FTC Green Guides govern claims; How2Recycle implements program rules. [1, 2, 15, 16, 17]
• EU: RecyClass D4R + REPs and EPBP define compatible vs non-compatible components; PPWR links recyclability grades to policy/fees. [4, 6, 8, 9, 20, 21, 22]
• UK: OPRL operationalizes consumer labelling; EPR reporting active; timing for mandatory on-pack labels in pEPR phases currently not enforced. [18, 19]

• US (national): FTC Green Guides (2012; update pending); do not over-claim recyclability without access + processing evidence. [15, 16]
• US (state trend): California SB 343 constrains “recyclable” claims by 2026. [31, 17]
• EU: PPWR objective—packaging recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030; grading/design criteria formalized; SoC study due end-2026. [20, 21]
• UK: EPR data reporting required; Defra indicated no enforcement of mandatory labels from 1 Apr 2027 during early pEPR. [18, 19]

• EU: Continued APR ↔ RecyClass alignment; updates to REPs and D4R expected (labels/inks focus). [10, 21, 22]
• US: FTC Green Guides update timeline uncertain; anticipate stricter interpretations. [15, 31]
• UK: Watch Defra/OPRL communications for re-introduction timing of mandatory labelling. [18]

• Fully compatible: Releasable in the recycling process (detaches during wash).
• Non-compatible: Non-releasable in the recycling process.
• Use RecyClass REP-HDPE-02 to verify. [7, 8]

Full-sleeve labels must not block NIR identification; plan ≥20% visible bottle area or pass SORT testing. If label coverage >75% (or >55% for ≤550 mL), SORT testing is required. [13, 32]

INGEDE 12 evaluates fragmentation/removability; PTS-RH 021 (Cat II) scores repulpability and stickies/visual quality. Adhesives must be removable to avoid mill runnability issues. [23, 24, 25]

• PET bottles: PSL → PP/PE/BOPP faces (<1.0 g/cm³) + alkali-releasable adhesive meeting APR CG or RecyClass PET REP; avoid paper unless APR-recognized. Sleeves → polyolefin + NIR windows/perfs; no-bleed inks; avoid PETG. [1, 2, 9, 11, 4, 13, 14]
• HDPE/PP bottles & tubes: require “releasable in recycling” adhesives; verify with REP-HDPE-02 if paper labels used. [7, 8]
• Paper & board: specify INGEDE 12 / PTS-RH 021 compliant adhesives; avoid hotmelts that fragment into micro-stickies. [23, 24]

• Inks: “No-bleed/retentive” on sleeves/labels; avoid carbon-black that blocks NIR. [9, 2]
• Coverage: Above thresholds, SORT testing mandatory—design a window early. [32]
• Adhesive oozing/edge wet-out: visible contamination in APR/REP evaluations—control coat weight and die-cut tolerances. [1, 9]

Converters will ask for target wash profile (e.g., 85 °C / 1% NaOH / 15 min) and NIR/SORT plan when coverage is high. Provide this in the RFQ. [1, 3, 32]

• Float/sink quick check — Input: label face density (g/cm³). Rule: if <1.0 → expected to float; if ≥1.0 → risk of co-sinking with PET. [2]
• Coverage threshold check — Input: container volume (mL), label area (%). Rule: if area >75% (or >55% for ≤550 mL) → SORT test required or add NIR window. [32]
• Wash-off profile compliance — Input: adhesive detachment temp (°C), NaOH (%), time (min). Rule: target ~85 °C, 1–2% NaOH, 8–15 min → pass if clean removal with no residue on flakes/water. [1, 5]
• EPR/PPWR recyclability grade impact (EU) — Input: component choices → RecyClass Tool → grade (A–F) → map to fee scenarios. [22]

Declared face density (g/cm³), adhesive chemistry & wash-off spec, ink system (no-bleed), coverage %, SORT/NIR plan, test reports (APR CG/REP), change-control for adhesive lots. [1, 8, 32]

• PSL: BOPP/PE + alkali-releasable adhesive; sleeves only with NIR solutions and floatable materials. [1, 4, 13]

• Require “releasable in recycling” adhesives; for high coverage, plan NIR test or keep a window. [7, 8, 32]

• Labels must wash off in caustic; industry practice 70–85 °C caustic bottle washers; starch/protein-based glues historically used for removability. [29, 30]