Here at Kiwi Labels, we are determined to lessen our impact on the environment. We are proud that we take care of waste at each stage along the value chain. With KiwiCycle we look after our customers too

One of the biggest challenges for label makers is what to do with the glassine liner. This is the smooth, glossy paper that backs onto stickers. It’s air, water and grease resistant, making it ideal for label longevity, but difficult to recycle. This means that at present in NZ, recycling glassine is not available, and it’s being stored and stockpiled because there is nothing else that can be done with it.

However, Kiwi Labels are determined to find an option that is better for the environment. So when they found a company in Europe to recycle glassine, the only company in the world to do so, they needed to see if it was worthwhile.

Is recycling glassine in Europe causing more harm than good?

We needed to make sure that the effort and cost of shipping the glassine to Europe wasn’t causing more damage than just sitting in landfill.

It was calculated that 175,000m2 of waste glassine was needed to fill a 20ft container. This container is shipped 27,278km resulting in 1,116.8kg of CO2 emission. Then, it’s trucked to the final destination, causing 29.2kg of CO2 emissions. In total, shipping the glassine to the recycling depot would result in 1166.8kg of carbon dioxide emissions. This is 1.8% of the CO2e emissions of the whole product life cycle.

Left in landfill, this 175,000m2 of waste would create 65,352kg of CO2 emissions. The choice from here was simple. Even accounting for shipping, recycling glassine results in saving 64,185kg of CO2 emissions.

What happens to the glassine once it’s recycled?

Due to the nature of this water and grease resistant product, it can’t be turned into a normal paper product. As a result, glassine is upcycled into magazine paper. This product can then be recycled up to seven more times, turning the waste into a valuable resource.

This kind of recycling creates a circular economy. Instead of the waste being consigned to landfill, the fibres are kept in the loop. This means that timber is more sustainably managed, reducing pressure on forests.

10,000 tonnes of glassine is recycled each year. This turns in 7,500 tonnes of pulp, making 12,500 tonnes of magazine paper, around 62,500,000 magazines. This means that 130,000 trees can be used for other things, and it saves 10,000 tonnes of waste going to landfill.

How does this affect you?

If you’re one of our customers, we make your life easier to help you comply with your environmental policies. Simply put your label waste aside and we come and pick it up from you. We then store it until we have enough to fill a container, then ship it over to Europe for recycling.

By using Kiwi Labels for all your labelling needs, you’re not just getting the best quality product, but you’re also helping reach environmental compliance goals.