CELAB: Toward a Circular Economy for Labels
CELAB (Circular Economy for Labels) is an industry initiative founded by companies in the self-adhesive label industry. The aim is to create greater circularity for its products by enhancing and promoting matrix and release liner recycling worldwide.
With a shared goal of creating a sustainable self-adhesive labeling industry, more than 30 companies from around the world have announced the creation of this new consortium. According to the initiative, CELAB will operate as a coalition, empowered to reach across the entire value chain to promote a circular economy for self-adhesive label materials. It is designed “to facilitate collaboration at a global level and encourage the universal adoption of best practices while fostering regionally appropriate initiatives and cooperation”.
The moment had arrived to create a globally focused platform for recycling solutions, Paul Nathanson, a Senior Principal at Bracewell LLP and spokesperson for CELAB, emphasized in a press release. “Brands are eager to communicate their commitment to sustainability in response to consumer demands to reduce their carbon footprint. With increased recycling capability gradually emerging from suppliers, producers, waste management, chemical recyclers and others, we see a tremendous opportunity to facilitate collaboration with partners up and down our industry’s value chain.” Due to the wide variance in production processes and recycling capability in different markets, CELAB’s structure includes a Global Steering Committee and regional branches. The committee sets priorities for the consortium. The regional branches create workstreams on various aspects of matrix and release liner recycling, including analyzing technical issues, promoting the use and creation of recycling networks and solutions, interacting with government regulators, and educating the industry and public, the initiative gave account.
Membership is open to all companies in the self-adhesive label supply chain who commit to CELAB’s objectives and are willing to help support its work. The newest member is the American producer Sustana Fiber.
(Published in GLOBAL RECYCLING Magazine 1/2021, Page 11, Photo: Hebi B. / pixabay.com)
