UPM Raflatac

Recycling label waste with RafCycle

RafCycle™ by UPM Raflatac is the original label release liner recycling service built for pure circularity.

 

How to bring circular economy to packaging labels?

The global waste issue is real. The impact of the linear use of materials drives climate change. For brands, this reality is felt through tightening sustainability regulation and consumer trends. In the process of labeling products, the label release liner is an often overlooked waste stream. UPM Raflatac is here with a hands-on recycling solution that enables the circular economy and has a positive climate impact. We already have more than 350 partners worldwide with us on this journey towards pure circularity.

Download our Guide to recycling with RafCycle

 

Scope: Calculated cradle-to-grave using the avoided burden approach, January 2023. Fossil CO2e - GWP 100 years (excluding biogenic carbon), analysis of different end-of-life scenarios for the release liner: recycling (mechanical) vs. incineration vs. landfill. The comparison includes the avoided emissions from papermaking process for recycling, energy and electricity production for incineration, and  emissions of paper degrading in landfill. Results include transportation of the release liner using default distances to recycling (derived from a weighted average of the RafCycle service) and liner weight based on UPM Raflatac's standard paper liner.

Based on: UPM Raflatac’s LCA study, externally verified and performed based on the guiding principles laid out in ISO 14040/44 and PAS 2050 standards; Includes content supplied by Sphera Solutions GmbH; Copyright 2022. Results are indicative and information is subject to change without notice. Results of different LCA or carbon footprint calculations cannot be compared.

Scope: Calculated cradle-to-grave using the avoided burden approach, January 2023. Fossil CO2e - GWP 100 years (excluding biogenic carbon), analysis of different End of Life scenarios: recycling (mechanical) vs. incineration vs. landfill. The comparison includes the avoided emissions from virgin PET granulate production for recycling and from energy and electricity production for incineration. Results include transportation of the release liner using default distances to recycling (derived from a weighted average of the RafCycle service) and liner weight based on UPM Raflatac's standard PET liner.

Based on: UPM Raflatac’s LCA study, externally verified and performed based on the guiding principles laid out in ISO 14040/44 and PAS 2050 standards; Includes content supplied by Sphera Solutions GmbH; Copyright 2022. Results are indicative and information is subject to change without notice. Results of different LCA or carbon footprint calculations cannot be compared.
 
 

Benefits of recycling label release liner waste with RafCycle

Sustainable & circular

Cost savings

Easy to operate

Brand & business value

 

With tightening sustainability regulations and consumers demanding more sustainable solutions, you might not know how to deal with label waste. In the process of labeling products, the label release liner is an often overlooked waste stream. With RafCycle, you can put those valuable raw materials into better use, even as closed loop solutions where the waste is used to create new label materials.

RafCycle is label release liner waste recycling at its simplest. Collect your waste, and we will arrange a pickup and take care of it for you. Whenever needed, you will have access to hands-on support by our experts tailored for your specific needs.

Beyond the simplicity and the service, RafCycle unleashes real business impact, from concrete cost savings to helping you reach your sustainability goals. You can also take full advantage of those tangible sustainability actions in your own storytelling and marketing.

Contact us

 

Reducing the pressure on forests

 

How does RafCycle work?

Perfecting circularity is this simple:

Step 1. Collect your liner waste.

Step 2. Let us know once your agreed amount is full.

We’ll handle the pick-up and transform the waste into either new label materials, paper or PET products, or other innovative circular solutions.

 
 

Total amount of liner waste recycled with RafCycle between 2014 and 2022 equals to

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The weight of over three Eiffel Towers

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463 000 trees left for other uses

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334 long-haul flights worth of CO2e emissions avoided compared with landfill

 
 
 

News and stories

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