Sustainability matters to today’s consumers — and the labels on your product are part of that story. But “eco-friendly” can mean a lot of different things in the label world. Some options are more meaningful than others, and understanding the differences helps you make genuine environmental claims rather than vague ones.
Recycled Content Labels
Labels made with post-consumer recycled (PCR) content use paper or film that contains material recovered from consumer waste streams. This reduces the demand for virgin raw materials. Look for materials with a verified percentage of PCR content — 30%, 50%, or 100% — depending on what’s available and appropriate for your product.
FSC-Certified Paper
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification ensures the paper comes from responsibly managed forests. It doesn’t mean the paper is recycled, but it does mean the wood fiber was sourced in a way that protects forests, biodiversity, and the communities that depend on them. FSC-certified label papers are widely available and work well for brands that want a credible, third-party-verified sustainability claim.
Compostable and Biodegradable Labels
Some label materials are designed to break down in commercial composting facilities. These typically use plant-based films (like PLA, derived from corn starch) and compostable adhesives. Important caveat: “compostable” usually means commercially compostable — not backyard compostable — so the claim only holds if your customers have access to commercial composting infrastructure.
Wash-Off Adhesives
For glass bottles destined for recycling, wash-off adhesives allow the label to release cleanly during the recycling process. This improves the recyclability of the container itself, which is a practical sustainability benefit even if the label material isn’t recycled.
Making Honest Claims
The biggest pitfall in eco-friendly labeling is greenwashing — making environmental claims that sound good but aren’t backed by substance. Be specific about what makes your label sustainable. “Printed on FSC-certified paper” is a credible claim. “Eco-friendly” by itself is vague and potentially misleading. Your customers are getting smarter about this, and specificity builds trust.
Explore our eco and green label options or talk to our team about finding the right sustainable material for your project.
