Avery Dennison has released a new white paper demonstrating how pressure-sensitive labels can enhance sustainability in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. With CPG giants striving for 100% recyclable packaging by 2030, the research outlines how smart label innovations support recycling, reduce emissions, and strengthen circular practices.
Titled “Pressure-sensitive labels and their role in making packaging circular,” the white paper emphasizes the environmental impact of even a 1% increase in recycling rates, which could prevent around 2,000 tons of plastic waste annually in large-scale bottling alone. It showcases how modern label technologies — including “clean-release” functionalities — enable easier label removal during recycling, improving the quality of reused materials like PET and HDPE.
Ryan Yost, President of Avery Dennison’s Materials Group, called the research a practical roadmap for brands navigating stakeholder expectations and circularity goals. With consumer demand, regulatory pressure, and sustainability driving packaging reform, the white paper offers actionable insights for integrating innovation into eco-conscious packaging strategies.
Key insights include:
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Nearly all major CPG brands are targeting fully recyclable, compostable, or reusable packaging by 2030.
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Sustainable products accounted for 31% of CPG market growth from 2013 to 2023.
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Recycled plastics emit 70% fewer emissions than virgin materials.
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New pressure-sensitive labels enable cleaner recycling processes.
This research is based on interviews with companies and recyclers in over nine countries, combined with industry reports and global regulatory reviews.
Download the full white paper: makingpackagingcircular.com
