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Plant-Based Labels
Protecting resources by looking beyond wood-based paper.
Using plant-based label materials can help protect and preserve forests by reducing demand for wood
How are Plant-Based Labels sustainable?
Protecting Forests
By decreasing consumption of wood-based paper, there will be less need to cut down trees and forests.
Using recycled materials
Many plant-based labels integrate other recycled products or reused materials, contributing to a circular economy.
Reducing use of resources
By reusing waste products from other manufacturing processes, overall consumption is decreased.
Are Plant-Based Labels the option for me?
Plant-Based Labels are a great sustainable label option to consider. Not only do they have unique features such as textures and grains that visibly show you're using a sustainable material, they're also surprisingly effective in helping to protect the environment by transitioning to circular economies through the use of waste products from other manufacturing processes.
Most plant-based labels are noticeably textured or grained as a result of using natural materials, so won't be suitable if you require a perfectly white paper-based material. This can also impact some forms of printing.
Many of these materials are new to market, which means that some minimum order requirements will be prohibitive if you're a small company.
We're using the term 'plant-based' to describe labels that are made from organic materials other than wood (either entirely or partially), but there are still lots of sustainably sourced wood-based papers available too.
'Circular Economy'
A traditional economy makes, uses, and then disposes. A circular economy aims to get rid of the disposal stage, and keep resources in use for as long as possible.
This is achieved by recycling items, reusing materials, and using as much of a resource as possible.
Plant-Based Labels
Material Availability
Responsible
Sourcing
Reuse and Recycling
Reducing
Consumption
Biodegradable Sugar Cane Paper
95% Sugar Cane Fibre
This label material uses sugar cane fibres instead of standard wood fibres. 95% of the material is sugar cane fibre, with the remaining 5% made of hemp and linen.
This unprinted label face material and its adhesive are biodegradable and compostable.
Available for both small and large orders
Grass Paper
30% Grass fibre
Reduced water and energy use
Grass paper labels are made from 30% grass-fibre and 70% standard paper pulp. This reduced amount of standard paper helps to reduce overall water consumption and energy consumption, leading to a typical 23% decrease in CO2 emissions for the material manufacturing stage.
Large minimum order currently required
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Gloss White Bio-Based Polyethylene
Minimum 83% bio-based
Perfect for uses in which a more durable option is required, this film is made from a minimum 83% fermented sugarcane, helping to significantly reduce the amount of polyethylene required.
Available for both small and large orders
Apple Paper
5% grape waste from juice
Waste apple fibre from juice production is used (5%) with 95% sustainable paper pulp to create this innovative material which contributes to the sustainable circular economy.
Large minimum order currently required
Recycled Grape Paper
40% recycled fibres
15% grape waste from wine
Made from a combination of waste grapes from wine making, recycled fibres, and sustainable fibres, this material contributes to the circular economy and is perfect for wines and luxury products.
Large minimum order currently required
More from Crown Labels
Are stickers recyclable? The answer's more complex than you might have thought.
Sustainability is more than a material choice
Materials are a key part of any sustainable label, but there's a lot more to consider when ensuring that your labels are as sustainable as possible.
From production processes, tooling and print plates, to delivery options and label durability, there's a wide range of considerations. You'll likely need to compromise on some goals, or be willing to make a trade-off.
We want to ensure that your labels really are as sustainable as possible in all aspects, and are always working to expand our range of initiatives.
No waste sent to landfill
We don't send any waste to landfill. Instead it's collected and scent for processing at an energy recovery facility to help provide heat and power for homes in Sheffield, Yorkshire.
Paper packing and less plastic
Our phase-out of polystyrene void filler was completed last year, replaced with paper. We're also taking steps to reduce plastic, and you can request a plastic-free delivery for your order.
Ink cartridge recycling
All of the industrial ink cartridges used in our Epson Digital Press are returned to Epson for recycling. This helps to reduce waste, and contributes to efforts to build a circular economy.
Sustainable Plant-Based Labels
Here's what to do next:
Browse our full range of options
See the wide range of options available for your sustainable labels and find the one that's most compatible with your goals. Read our tips to help you assess each option and its potential limitations.
Find the best sustainable option
It can be challenging to find the best sustainable label option for your specific use case, so we made a tool to help. Simply answer a few questions, and get shown the best label option for you.
Request a bespoke quotation
If you've found the sustainable option for you, and have an idea of other details for your order such as label size and quantities required, then get in touch with our team for a free bespoke quotation.
Not quite ready? Stay in touch!
Sometimes it's best to take time to review the different options available. Stay in touch with us via email to get the latest sustainable label news, plus tips and inspiration for your labels.
All material supplies are subject to availability and production testing. Provided specifications are based on information from the original material manufacturer and are subject to change without notice. Pictures are for illustrative purposes only and not guaranteed to be representative due to the nature of the product and production processes. For further information about specifications and availability please contact our team ❯