Avery Dennison has announced a breakthrough in recyclable labeling: The first radio-frequency identification (RFID) label to receive APR Design for Recyclability (DfR) recognition from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR). This marks an industry first for an RFID label, validating its compatibility with North America’s PET recycling stream.

Avery Dennison has combined its proprietary CleanFlake adhesive technology, materials science capabilities and expertise in RFID to develop a breakthrough innovation, resulting in a new proprietary RFID label that cleanly separates from the PET in the mechanical recycling stream, reducing contamination. 

This means brands adopting this novel RFID technology can ensure compatibility for the recycling of their PET packaged items. With 96% of the top 50 brands committed to recyclability and waste management targets, this technology offers a solution towards achieving those goals.

Widely used in packaging across industries, PET is commonly found in bottles, food containers, cosmetics and other household products, making its recyclability critical to reducing plastic waste at scale. The use of recycling-compatible labels and adhesives can significantly reduce contamination, improving material recovery rates and overall recycling efficiency.

According to Avery Dennison, the proprietary RFID label has the potential to streamline the plastic recycling process by uniquely identifying each item, increasing the quality of materials recovered and extending PET life use. 

Pascale Wautelet, vice president, global R&D and sustainability, Avery Dennison Materials Group, comments, “RFID technology is essential for the effective and sustainable management of modern supply chains, supporting brands with greater inventory visibility, product traceability and loss prevention. APR’s recognition marks a pivotal step forward in advancing circular packaging and supporting the global transition to sustainable material use. As consumer goods companies set increasingly ambitious recycling targets, Avery Dennison remains committed to helping our customers reduce waste by investing in innovation and designing products that can be effectively recycled.”

Steve Alexander, president and CEO of APR, adds, “Ensuring packaging is compatible with the recycling infrastructure is critical. By increasing the recyclability of packaging, brands can not only reduce waste and meet their sustainability targets but also contribute to a more circular economy. Innovation and technology play an essential role in driving these efforts, enabling smarter packaging solutions that align with both environmental goals and evolving industry standards.”

Avery Dennison is the world’s leading provider of RFID tags. The tags help optimize supply chain efficiency, reduce waste and enable recycling by improving recovery and sortation rates. The company plans to make the APR-recognized technology widely available later this year to help brands meet recyclability targets. It is also working with independent certifiers to expand PET recycling certification across global markets.