Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions has launched a recycling program for the Australian graphics solutions industry that aims to divert discarded plastic waste to create raw materials for everyday products.
Working in collaboration with customers and partners, the Avery Dennison Plastic End Cap Recycling Programis a new value chain for the graphics solutions industry, focusing on waste material generated in operational use.
Traditionally, the plastic end caps sealing each roll of Avery Dennison graphic materials are discarded and would end up in landfills. Under this program, there will be a process for aggregating the plastic end caps, safe collection and management of the waste, and processing this waste into raw materials to make new plastic-based products.
“Being a global leader in self-adhesive and specialty media for professional graphics providers and designers, Avery Dennison Graphics Solutions is working hard to drive change in our industry,” Avery Dennison Asia Pacific senior marketing manager of graphics solutions David Newman said.
“Australia is the first market for our plastic end cap recycling program. We aim to make this a success and offer it in more markets across the South Asia Pacific region.”
The plastic end cap recycling program was created in response to growing customers’ demand for sustainability.
Last year, Avery Dennison conducted customer interviews across multiple markets in Australia and New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. It found that over 85 per cent of the participants said that sustainability is a critical business priority.
“Today’s announcement offers the pathway for local businesses such as converters and printers using Avery Dennison’s products to advance the circular economy,” Avery Dennison A/NZ and ASEAN graphics solutions business director Jordan Leach said.
“By participating in this recycling program, businesses large and small in the graphics solutions industry will be taking the right step in making sustainability an integral part of their daily operations.”
How the plastic end cap recycling program works
Every roll of functional material that Avery Dennison delivers to its customers – such as converters and printers – comes with a pair of plastic plugs known as end caps. These caps, made of either high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene, serve to suspend the two ends of the cylindrical core in each roll of film so that the material is safe from external damage. Traditionally, these plastic end caps are discarded as waste and usually end up in landfills.
Through this program, customers can store their discarded end caps in designated bags provided by Avery Dennison. When their containers are full, the waste manager will pick these up and aggregate the waste before sending them to the recycling centres.
The recycler will clean and process the plastic end caps into granules to be reused as raw materials. These plastic granules can be used to manufacture new products made of recycled plastic materials such as outdoor furniture or gardening products.
Sign up for the program
Customers including end-users and installers in the A/NZ region who are keen to participate in this plastic end caps recycling program can reach out to their respective Avery Dennison account managers. More information about this recycling program can be found here.
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