Linerless technology approved for curbside recycling in Australasia

Ravenwood Packaging’s linerless technology has been officially classified as ‘Recyclable’ in Australasia by the Australian Packaging Covenant Organization (APCO).

Under the leadership of Sam Aloschi, Ravenwood’s APAC managing director, the company began this journey in 2021 to demonstrate the recyclability of their linerless labels for curbside recycling. After presenting various samples to APCO and collaborating with Monash University’s Bioresource Processing Research Institute of Australia (BioPRIA), Ravenwood’s materials have now been approved for recycling in the region.

The approval process involved presenting uncoated, coated, printed, and raw samples for evaluation, and developing testing criteria with the help of APCO’s standardized test method. Aloschi expressed his belief in the recyclability of Ravenwood’s linerless labels, stating that their team has worked tirelessly to ensure that the system is sustainable for future generations.

Ravenwood’s linerless ecosystem, known as ‘The Circle of Linerless,’ includes the base paper material, silicones, adhesives, and varnishes. These components are carefully combined in specific ratios, with labels designed and approved by Ravenwood’s keyline designers before being produced on the Com 500 coater.

Testing has shown promising results, with a pulp yield of over 93.7% achieved in Ravenwood’s latest ecosystem of products, making them ready for recycling post-screening. To further promote recyclability, Ravenwood is launching the Ravenwood Recyclability Approval Program (RRAP) for printers who wish to align with their meticulous auditing chain of custody process.

The ‘Circle of Linerless’ offers a comprehensive linerless portfolio that includes materials and machinery like the Com 500 linerless coater and Nobac linerless applicators.

Aloschi commended the Ravenwood team for their dedication and hard work in achieving this significant milestone with APCO. The company recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, marking two decades of success in the packaging industry.