R vs B vs C

Are you a little confused about the definitions for the types of eco-friendly stickers there are available? Here we explain what each means, to help you decide which type suits your company the best.

definitions

recyclable stickers

Recycling is a process to change materials into new products to prevent the waste of potentially useful materials. Therefore, a recyclable label can be recycled and turned into something new.

biodegradable stickers

A biodegradable material can be decomposed by biological activity, particularly by micro-organisms. Therefore, a biodegradable label can break down over time, but there is no time frame, this could take 1 year or 1,000 years!

compostable stickers

Compostable means that a product is capable of disintegrating into natural elements, leaving no toxicity in the soil. The process would normally take within 6-12 weeks. Therefore, a compostable label will quickly break down but they do require special conditions to do so, in an industrial compost facility.

our labels

We only print on biodegradable or compostable paper, to view our material range available and see the individual specifications, click here.

the regulations

The materials we use comply with EN 13432. EN 13432 is an EU standard for compostable and biodegradable packaging. If you want to promote the use of eco-friendly packaging, always ensure that your providers comply with this standard.

If you wish to use stickers on food then you also need to ensure that the film used complies with European food Regulation No 1935/2004/EC.