printable compostable flow wrap/ non toxic ink for bakery

I am looking for packaging in line with our natural healthy bakery product. Product will be stored and shipped frozen and retailed in the refridgerator. Thanks!

eco inks and labels

DavidPadula

Owner, p design lab

Industry: Non-food

Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

Role: Packaging Materials Supplier

From an ink standpoint you could go with something soy or water based. On the label side you could go with a recycled post consumer paper or a compostable corn PLA plastic label(made from corn). The same soy or waterbased inks can be used on the labels as well.

David

Eco friendly adhesive

DavidPadula

Owner, p design lab

Industry: Non-food

Location: Los Angeles, CA, United States

Role: Packaging Materials Supplier

Hi,
There are some adhesives out there that could be considered eco-friendly / recycling compatible. I unfortunately do not have much direct experience in working with them.

As a general note... the most common label adhesives are highly formulated to work across a broad range of temperatures / environments and also formulated to work in conjunction with specific base material stock and depending on your end goal, to not tear the material when removed… but also to not simply fall off over a certain period of time.

It’s a good idea when exploring the eco-friendly variety of adhesives to have that clear end goal in mind and make sure that the adhesive you are considering will really work how you need it too and also work within the budget you need it too. (some can be more expensive that standard adhesive)

Here are a couple to review and at least start you on evaluation path:
http://na.fasson.com/frna/Prod_sht.nsf/frna/Prod_sht.nsf/CFC33767102CFEB...

http://na.fasson.com/frna/Prod_sht.nsf/frna/Prod_sht.nsf/3CF200792E00161...

Hope this helps in some way.

David

labels and recyclable PE

Diane,
I would look at Recylable PE with an open mind considering we do not Recycle PE bags. Recycling and recyclable are two different things. Maybe you could consider using EarthFirst PLA Bags as they would lower your carbon footprint rather than say I am using a recyclable product that doesnt get recycled. PLA is also recyclable but there is not enough critical mass to recycle. PLA also is available in a pressure sensative label stock that you could source from Fasson.

Label Possibilities for bag

In the label sector there is a new adhesive out that is marketing itself as fully compostable. In addition to this new adhesive technology, they also have bio-degradable and compostable PS labels - this adhesive is something new for the mix.

The company's name is Herma and these products are part of its GreenLine product range.

You can read more about it on page 26 of Issue 1 2009 in Labels & Labeling magazine. (just go to the website, create a username and you will be able to access the article online). www.labelsandlabeling.com

Good luck!
Danielle

A few more thoughts...

The main part of this entire bag process is to make sure that one, the label is in fact compatible with the bag (i.e. - corn-based poly must be put in an industrial composter and will not degrade on its own) and two, that the meaning of compostable is the same for your bag and the label. For instance, if your bag is able to break down effectively in a natural compost pile in someone's back yard, but the label can't, there's a problem. In this case you would be better choosing both a bag and label that require industrial composting methods.

Another company worth looking into is the Channeled Resources Group. They have recently introduced a line called PureLabels in partnership with Distant Village Packaging.