Avery Dennison and Seliplast extend PP/PE matrix waste recycling program to European label converters

The program eliminates the need for waste material to be shipped outside of the region for manual sorting and recycling, which had previously been required due to the sticky nature of the residue.

Avery Dennison and Seliplast worked on a similar program last year that saw more than 1,000 tons of plastic laminate and matrix waste in Avery Dennison’s plant in Turnhout, Belgium converted into new granulate for industrial and household products.

This pilot project has now been extended to converters in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany and France.

The filmic matrix and laminate waste must comply with certain quality standards to be accepted, with the waste matrix material having to be collected separately, so avoiding paper contamination, ‘for recycling to be practical’, according to Seliplast managing director Christian Horn.

When the required conditions are met, Avery Dennison and Seliplast said the program can offer converters a viable local alternative to landfill or incineration, with a consequential reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Avery Dennison global sustainability director Xander van der Vlies said: ‘Our vision is to make use of local recycling solutions where possible, and to reduce all aspects of our environmental footprint, from energy use all the way through to the level of waste.

‘We are excited to promote Seliplast’s label matrix waste recycling options to our customers.

‘This type of program is an excellent example of collaboration that creates a positive impact on the environment by turning product waste into source material for other products.’