Security labels that balance sales and sustainability

THOROFARE, N.J., March 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- To enable retailers to reduce their impact on the environment, while ensuring they can increase their sales, Checkpoint Systems has become one of the first global label manufacturers to reveal that its security labels can be fully recycled as part of kerbside paper-based recycling collections.

Sustainability is essential

As one of the largest suppliers of RF-based Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) labels globally, Checkpoint's labels are applied to millions of products, which are packaged in different materials. Typically, when recycled, packaging labels tend to end up in a combination of different garbage and recycling streams, depending on the packaging material and the consumer commitment to recycling. However, with brands making strong commitments to sustainability - including investing in more environmentally friendly forms of packaging like cardboard – and consumers increasingly demonstrating their preferences for sustainable packaging it is pivotal that anything applied to an item – at any point along the supply chain or in-store – does not affect the recyclability of its packaging.

Security labels play a vital role in ensuring products remain available to purchase. Retailers have been using a diverse range of labels to protect their merchandise, working with suppliers to 'tag' items at source or relying on store associates to apply labels in-store.

However, until today, the recyclability of these labels has been relatively unknown. It means that retailers and consumers could inadvertently be contaminating the paper-based packaging recycling stream with millions of security labels – still attached to packaging which could have otherwise been recycled up to 25 times¹.

Ensuring Checkpoint labels can be recycled

To ensure that its retail customers are not negatively affecting the recyclability of product packaging by attaching security labels, Checkpoint partnered with PTS – an organization with over 70 years' experience researching the use of fibre-based solutions – to conduct a series of technical tests on its range of labels.

The Germany-based research consultancy tested a range of Checkpoint labels. All labels – including the 410 RF, 2928 RF and 4210 RF labels – achieved an excellent overall recyclability rate of over 94%.

PTS analyzed the labels, which were different sizes and materials, to ensure that following the standard curbside recycling process, the recycled, fibre-based material would be of acceptable quality. Each label was applied to a piece of cardboard to simulate a real-world scenario and the results show that all are classified as being recyclable in accordance with current regulations.

The technical report concluded that consumers can safely dispose of a Checkpoint security label in a household recycling bin, without having to separate the label from the packaging, knowing that the entire pack will be recycled.

Ivan Gosling, Product Manager RF Consumables, Checkpoint Systems, commented:

"Brands of all sizes are investing in a wide range of practices as part of their sustainability agenda. The likes of Proctor & Gamble and Roku Gin are among those to switch packaging materials in recent years to minimize their impact on the environment.

"Security labels play an important role in helping retailers protect their profits, but it is vital they don't stop packaging from being recycled. If they do there was little point in brands making a positive switch in the first place. We are delighted to have achieved this accreditation from PTS that shows our labels can be recycled through the existing curbside collections. It means that brands and retailers can be assured they are not negatively affecting a country's recycling rate, while also knowing their customers can conveniently dispose of the entire pack, packaging material and label, in the same household recycling bin. Our labels passed all of PTS' stringent tests meaning they have little to no impact on the recyclability of a piece of cartonboard packaging."

For more information click here:
https://checkpointsystems.com/us/blog/2022/03/02/sustainable-security-labels/

About Checkpoint Systems, Inc. (www.checkpointsystems.com)

A division of CCL Industries, Checkpoint Systems is the only vertically integrated RF/RFID solution provider for retail. With consumer demands accelerating at an extraordinary rate driven by technology, Checkpoint delivers intelligent solutions – bringing clarity and efficiency into the retail environment anytime, anywhere. Through a unique offering of software, hardware, labels, tags and connected cloud-based solutions, Checkpoint optimizes retail operations and efficiencies with real-time intuitive data delivered throughout the supply chain and in-store resulting in improved profitability and an enriched consumer experience. Checkpoint's intelligent retail solutions are built upon 50 years of radio frequency technology expertise, innovative high-theft and loss prevention solutions, market-leading software, RFID hardware and comprehensive labeling capabilities to brand, secure and track merchandise from source to shelf.

www.checkpointsystems.com 
Twitter: @CheckpointSys

About CCL Industries

CCL Industries Inc., a world leader in specialty label and packaging solutions for global corporations, small businesses and consumers, employs over 21,000 people and operates over 180 production facilities in 40 countries on six continents with corporate offices in Toronto, Canada, and Framingham, Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.cclind.com.

¹ https://packagingeurope.com/study-suggests-cartonboard-can-be-recycled-25-times/

SOURCE Checkpoint Systems, Inc.