With sustainability getting higher on the agendas of companies and the government, Association of Label Printers and Suppliers (ALPS) has partnered with Avery Dennison to provide a sustainable solution to recycle and repurpose used label materials and reduce landfill waste. To increase industry awareness and engagement, a waste management program was held in New Delhi on 9 November 2019. The launch program was attended by about 100 delegates. Shakti Plastic Industries, a leading recycler in India was also present at the event. As a part of the program, Shakti Plastics will haul and process the used materials from different converters.
Under the newly launched waste management program, two different models of waste management are available for participating members – one is, ‘No Cost Model – Cash from Trash’ (NCM), which is achievable by recycling the segregated label waste i.e., by sorting of film matrix. The other model is ‘Cost Model – Energy from Trash’, where waste segregation is not required and will attract logistic cost for converters. The label waste will be reprocessed into alternate plastic articles like jug, board, chair etc.
Gururaj Ballarwad, president ALPS said, “Land filling is not only harmful to the environment; it’s also rapidly becoming less feasible. Also, with stringent government regulations being enacted around the world, communities are innovating to find alternatives and more sustainable ways of recycling. We are proud to be collaborating with Avery Dennison and is able to reach the right audience with a solution that’s good for our industry, environment and communities. The launch program is the result of one year dedicated effort by ALPS to provide green and eco- friendly solution to treat label wastes.”
Pankaj Bhardwaj, senior director and general manager label and graphic material, Avery Dennison – South Asia. He said, “The program which is organized today is very unique and first of its kind event not only in India but possibly in South East Asia as well. The industry we are part of generates a million tonne of waste ever year, and through Avery Dennison’s recycling program, we are making an active contribution to address today’s sustainability issues to make a better future. Avery Dennison has globally 8 sustainability objectives or goals which we are planning to fulfill by 2025 and one of the goal is to eliminate 70% of waste being generated in the value chain.”
Parag Bagade, head of sustainability, product compliance and advantage services, South Asia Pacific & Sub Saharan Africa, Avery Dennison talked about the cost implications attached to the two models and the certificate to be issued by the recycler, Shakti Plastic Industries to ALPS members and others who will participate in the program.