FINAT, the European association for the self-adhesive label industry, has announced the launch of the third annual FINAT Recycling Awards Competition. Within two award categories, self-adhesive label end-users and self-adhesive label converters, companies that are recycling paper and/or film release liners are invited to apply and receive the recognition they deserve for taking steps to lower their overall environmental impact. The deadline for submitting entries is Friday, May 6, and the awards ceremony will be held on the opening night of the European Label Forum in Amsterdam, scheduled for June 16-18 2016.

The goal of the FINAT Recycling Awards Competition is to raise awareness for the growing number of sustainable and economically-viable recycling programs for release liners. “Release liner recycling is picking up pace, and we like to think that our awards competition is contributing to that growth,” says Jacques van Leeuwen, Chairman of the FINAT Recycling Awards Competition. “As the number of recycling initiatives offering turnkey solutions increases, this valuable secondary material no longer needs to go to waste. Spent paper release liner is a high-quality feedstock, already being re-used in products ranging from new liners and copy papers to wall insulation. Similarly, reground PET and PP liners are used in a wide range of applications, such as new silicone film, outdoor jacket insulation and more.” 

Van Leeuwen also points out that recycling of release liners provides a potential answer to legal or market requirements in the context of government or corporate environmental sustainability programs, now and in the future. FINAT’s recycling portal contains comprehensive information on available release liner recycling solutions in multiple languages, as well as information to educate the industry about the value of release liner recycling.

In addition to the financial and environmental benefits of release liner recycling – which includes release liner collection at prices that beat landfill – all participants will receive a detailed jury report and certificate in recognition of their participation. Honorable mentions in each category will receive coverage in the FINAT Congress Report and recycling article as well as on the FINAT website. Winners will receive a prestigious trophy along with an article featuring their efforts in a leading label magazine and an interview in the FINAT news and on the FINAT website.

“The FINAT Recycling Awards Competition is an excellent opportunity to highlight the advances recycling programs are making in our industry,” van Leeuwen adds.

For more information, contact FINAT’s recycling manager, Mark Macaré, at +31 703123910 or [email protected] or visit the FINAT recycling portal at Finat.com/en/Sustainability/Recycling-Portal