Packaging
FINAT launches call for candidates for 2015 recycling awards
Tuesday 28. April 2015 - FINAT RECYCLING AWARDS COMPETITION ORGANIZED FOR THE SECOND TIME TO RECOGNIZE EFFORTS OF THE INDUSTRY IN PAPER AND FILM RELEASE LINER RECYCLING
FINAT, the European association for the self-adhesive label industry, announced today the launch of the second FINAT Recycling Awards Competition. Within two award categories, self-adhesive label end-users and self-adhesive label converters, companies that have their paper and/or film release liners recycled are invited to apply, and get recognized for taking steps to lower the environmental impact. The deadline for submitting entries is May 22nd and the competition will culminate in the announcement of the winners at the European Label Forum in Amsterdam, held from 11 to 13 June 2015.
The goal of the FINAT Recycling Awards Competition is to raise awareness for the growing number of sustainable and economically-viable recycling programmes. These offer companies site-specific solutions for the collection and recycling of used release liners, allowing them to reduce both their carbon footprint and landfilling costs. “We were delighted by the large number of good entries to our first Recycling Awards Competition last year. We are looking forward to continue this success and see new examples of how the industry is rising to the challenge and embracing the available recycling solutions,” says Jacques van Leeuwen, Chairman of the FINAT Recycling Awards Competition.
It pays to recycle
Release line recycling is important, not only for the environment but also for label converters and printers. It contributes to the reduction of the ‘footprint’ of a label company, FMCG brand or private label which is becoming ever more essential because of the growing emphasis on corporation’s responsibility towards society and the planet. In addition, release line recycling also offers economic advantages as it can reduce the costs associated with the management of secondary release liner materials, compared to alternative disposal methods. It also provides a potential answer to legal or market requirements in the context of government or corporate environmental sustainability programmes, now and in the future.
“As an independent association for the self-adhesive label industry, FINAT has set itself the target to support companies in exploring and exploiting common recycling solutions and provide the gateway to identify recycling opportunities. Release liner recycling is picking up pace. More and more, recycling initiatives are offering turn-key solutions to recover a valuable secondary material that no longer needs to go to waste. The FINAT Recycling Awards Competition is an excellent opportunity to highlight the advances recycling programs are making in our industry,” adds Mr. van Leeuwen
Award criteria
All entries will be judged by an independent jury comprised of expert representatives from NGOs in the field of recycling of both paper and plastic. Eligible projects will be evaluated based on a comprehensive set of criteria, divided in three categories:
1. Achievements (volume and percentage recycled): How much liner (in volume and percentage) does the company recycle? Is this traceable? Does the company recycle other secondary label materials?
2. Communication and promotion: Is the company actively involved in the promotion of release liner recycling? Is the company making efforts to encourage partners/customers to engage in recycling?
3. Innovation / opening of new markets: Is the company using a new/innovative approach to logistics or recycling? Is the company representing a new end-user market for liner recycling?
All entries must be submitted by Friday 22nd of May, 17:00 hrs CET to the FINAT Secretariat.