C
Circular economy
In a circular economy, already existing materials are reused over and over again for as long as possible. Products are designed in such a way that all of their constituent materials can be part of the material cycle from beginning to end, i.e. from their initial manufacture and later use to their disposal. Waste can be used to manufacture products of the same quality. A piece of raw material can therefore be recycled several times over. This saves resources and avoids waste. The circular economy is the highest level of recycling. The transition towards a circular economy calls for the modernisation of our current economy. Printed plastic waste represents a particularly difficult challenge when it comes to the circular economy. Inks and varnishes contain numerous problematic contaminants.
D
Downcycling
Downcycling means waste that is used for lower quality applications. However, in many cases, this impacts on their quality. One example for downcycling is plant pots made from waste plant labels. However a much lower material quality can be used for plant pots.
F
FSC®-Certification
The FSC® label communicates and represents a mindful use of forest resources. The FSC® label ensures that forests are used in accordance with social, economic and ecological needs.
P
Post-Industrial-Recyclate
This is processed plastic waste material which results from the first processing and therefore has mostly new plastic material as a base. This includes unprinted material residues. Typical post-industrial materials are margin strips resulting from film production.
Post-Consumer-Recyclate
This is a material made by recycling the plastic waste generated by private or commercial end consumers. Printed waste plant labels belong in this category. Printed plastic waste can therefore be considered a post-consumer material. It is contaminated with harmful inks and varnishes. The production of printable films calls for a recyclate that is of a very high quality. There are clearly technical limits. Materials of a much lower quality can be used for plant pots. Mixed waste (e.g. from the yellow container) can be used for plant pots.
R
REACH-Kompatibel
REACH is a European Union regulation concerning chemicals that endeavours to ensure the protection of people‘s health and the environment. Recycled plastic which is used in new products is also covered by this regulation.
Recyclates und regranulates
Recyclate is the umbrella term and a synonym for regranulate. These are processed, re-melted and regranulated plastic pellets. In this form, plastics can be easily processed in extrusion or injections moulding. Regranulate has a uniform grain size of approximately 3-4 mm in diameter. This is plastic with defined characteristics.
S
Scraps
The trimmings that are left over after die-cutting labels, for example, are called scraps. This waste is contaminated with inks and varnishes.
U
Upcycling
Upcycling is a form of recycling that leads to regranulate characteristics that are close to the original product. It is the necessary condition for recirculation of plastic. This requires excellent system technology as well as selected additives. Upcycling refers to high-quality plant labels produced from printed plant label waste.
V
VOC guidelines
These guidelines describe regulations for volatile organic compounds. This means that these substances often quickly evaporate. In order to protect the health of employees, the regulation contains emission limit values, monitoring requirements and reporting obligations.