At this year’s TLMI Annual Meeting, October 15-17 in Colorado Springs, CO, USA, the association will emphasize the drive for sustainability in labels and packaging. TLMI has prioritized sustainability by making it one of the five pillars of its strategic plan, and for the first time, the Annual Meeting will feature a Sustainability Sponsorship. Three TLMI member companies have joined together to support this new initiative: Channeled Resources, Resource Label Group and UPM Raflatac.

TLMI is proactively promoting sustainable endeavors. Through the work of TLMI’s sustainability sub-committees (matrix, release liner, awards, and toolbox), members have monthly opportunities to present problems and devise solutions. Sustainability topics range broadly, and members are striving to understand how to best help their customers with their sustainability goals. 

“We collaborate, we listen, and we work on gathering the right solutions for the problem,” states Rosalyn Bandy, vice president of sustainability, TLMI. “TLMI has prioritized sustainability by making it one of the five pillars of the TLMI strategic plan. This is because we know that if companies are to make sustainability programs right, they have big decisions to make. Decisions such as which of the wide-ranging issues are they going to prioritize – for example, building a low-carbon business, commercializing greener products, managing environmental compliance and ESG reporting.”

Philip Coates, key account director, UPM Raflatac, adds, “TLMI has undertaken diligent efforts to enhance its members’ comprehension of diverse sustainability facets. These initiatives include education on key terminologies, furnishing invaluable guidance on pertinent inquiries to pose to both customers and suppliers, and fostering collaborative partnerships between like-minded associations and seasoned experts. This comprehensive approach embodies TLMI’s commitment to the pursuit of resource minimization and innovative recycling solutions.”

TLMI continually brings knowledge and resources to its members so that they can find what fits their sustainability agenda and their organization. The association’s events regularly feature experts delivering insight on the topic, as well. As legislation changes impact label end-use customers and consumers show their preferences, TLMI will be a necessary resource to provide the information and access that members require to expand their success in the right direction.

Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have option, with global brands consistently establishing lofty sustainability targets for the short- and long-term future.

Tim Bohlke, sustainability director at Resource Label Group, says, “Many brands are now becoming much more conscious of the full implications of sustainability in overall package design. In addition to container recyclability, the focus is expanding to include proper ink system design, washable ink systems, adhesive implications, and recyclability of the label and container.  Information from key associations, including TLMI, APR, and How2Recycle, are resulting in better educated customers and consumers.”

TLMI has also established the Calvin Frost Sustainability Leadership Awards, which recognize all levels of sustainability efforts among members. The award process is open to any TLMI supplier or converter member. With three distinct categories, this all-inclusive process highlights companies at all different stages of their sustainability journey.

“TLMI is the industry’s voice for both members and non-members of the packaging and label world regarding sustainability,” explains Cindy Frost White, president and CEO, Channeled Resources Group. “TLMI provides solutions for members and non-members on how to handle their waste and byproducts. With the TLMI map of recyclers and consumers of both release liner and matrix waste, TLMI has offered solutions that make it possible to be landfill-free in the label industry. Without TLMI’s leadership, the label industry would continue to work in isolation with small-world solutions. TLMI brings the industry together.”