Custom Label is committed to fostering a sustainable and healthy environment. We strive to stay on the leading edge of initiatives to preserve nature’s purity in forest, field and stream.
Below are just some of the ways we are making a difference:
Practicing What we Preach
We educate our employees and support green behaviors through:
- Recycling of general plant waste including aluminum
- Recycling of all recyclable paper waste and corrugate
- Environmental disposal of all waste inks, chemicals and cleaning agents
- Striving for a paperless work flow when possible
- Plant initiatives to reduce setup and run waste
- Investment into Digital Printing
In 2008 we invested in an HP Indigo WS4500 digital label press. The HP indigo press is able to produce labels with a fraction of the setup and run waste of conventional printing methods.Less waste equals fewer press rolls headed to a landfill.
There are no printing plates with the digital press – so no need to output film positives, no solvent plate-making. In addition, the ink system if fully contained and recycles the inks in a closed-loop system. So there is no ink cleanup, and nothing sent out for disposal.
Post Consumer Waste (PCW) Materials
Many of our vendors offer materials that between 30% and 100% PCW. These materials are available in a variety of finishes, including uncoated white, blue, cherry red, green, orange, pale yellow and semi-gloss. Many of these products have excellent printability and converting speeds. Call your Customer Service Representative today to discuss how PCW materials can help your company meet it’s Green Goals.
Eco-Responsible Bio-degradable Label Materials
100% Compostable materials are another material option.These products are designed to compost quickly, completely and safely, without leaving any plastic residues.
Polyactic Acid (PLA) – Made from corn, a renewable resource, EarthFirst® PLA film is a primary label film face stock available in both clear and white. Made from renewable plant resources, these films feature excellent scratch resistance, high natural dyne levels, and high transparency to ultraviolet light—making them ideal as a replacement for polypropylene or polyester, which are used in many label film applications.
Acetate – Get a versatile label film from a renewable resource. Acetate is designed to compost quickly, completely and safely without leaving behind any plastic residue. It meets ASTM D6400 compostability standards and is certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute. Strength properties similar to paper make it suitable for primary labels. Its easy tear characteristics make it perfect for the production of security labels and tamper-evident seals. The high transparency, good clarity and printability of Acetate make it an attractive choice for “no label look” applications.
Renewable Materials
Materials are now being engineered that have a replenishment rate greater than their consumption rate.
Fasson® Tree-Free is a white, uncoated facestock made from a combination of bamboo pulp, bagasse (sugar cane) and cotton linters. It provides a smooth print surface ideal for wine and specialty food and beverage applications.
40# Natural Kraft Liner (40NK) eliminates the bleaching process. It is an environmentally-friendly alternative that doesn’t sacrifice die-cutting and stripping performance. This is a general purpose, super-calendered kraft liner that can be used with a variety of facestocks including primary label and variable information papers and films.
Forest Conservation Agencies
Two organizations, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), are working to ensure proper management of timber resources. Use of SFI and FSC certified paper grades helps conserve forests for the future. Let our CSR’s help you select materials made by certified mills.
