Many companies are working towards greater environmental sustainability and that’s commonly driven by consumers. Going green is the desire of many consumers. One of the common measures used by the label printing industry towards the conservation of the environment is increased investment in biodegradable materials.
Materials are deemed biodegradable when they can be broken down into natural elements such as water and carbon dioxide by living organisms. It is, however, important to note that everything is technically biodegradable and what matters is the period required for a certain material to biodegrade, as some will take thousands of years. Unfortunately, the term biodegradable can be confusing if not further defined. Materials that are only biodegradable under industrial conditions should be labelled so.
Hydrocarbon-based inks are not only hazardous to the environment but also the health of employees working in this industry. Hydrocarbon-based inks release poisonous compounds known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere as they dry. The use of water-soluble and vegetable-based inks will not only save the health of employees and planet but also save you money. Hydrocarbon-based inks necessitate the use of solvent washing solutions during printing – a time consuming as well as expensive and hazardous process.
All paper-based substrates are biodegradable as they are made from natural plant materials. What makes paper difficult to degrade biologically is the use of petroleum-based dyes, coatings, plastics and other printing chemicals. The use of biodegradable polymer printing films has become popular in the packaging industry as an alternative to paper.
Labelservice are major suppliers of biodegradable and compostable labels to the all industries. Catering for short run multiple sort work, or large production runs, we can supply a range of face papers and add finishes to suit all of your packaging. Biodegradable labels are available on paper and synthetic materials, including cane sugar paper and clear film. Please also feel free to contact us for pricing and free of charge samples.
