Is my adhesive tape recyclable?

Are you looking at ways to improve your green credentials with your packaging use.

You may be well on track for a greener 2021 with recycled and recyclable cartons but have you ever considered the adhesive tape? As ever, there is a lot of choice when it comes to securing your products – most of it confusing! But it’s just tape right? Wrong! You may have a specific environmental requirements that may limit the of range of tapes you can use for example. We’re going to take a closer look at what’s on the market.  You’ll be able to see how you can get performance as well as any recycling benefits perfect for your business. Let’s dive in!

What are you looking for in an adhesive tape?

Depending on your business, you may be after a tape that performs well in a cold storage or chilled transport. Tapes not designed for this type of use can become brittle and lose their adhesive qualities at these temperatures.  For the food and pharmaceutical industries, for example, ensuring secure deliveries with a tear resistant adhesive tape is important for security and compliance. You may be after a tape that you can tear by hand. This makes it convenient if your team is more mobile, working in multiple sections of your operation  – or in clean rooms such as MHRA compliant despatch.

Perhaps you need low noise options if your team is preparing packaging in a confined area or in an open plan environment. Having the ability to keep noise disturbance to a minimum will certainly be valued.

Being able to use the equipment you already have will also be important to you. Making sure of tape core sizes for your existing tape dispensers will be on your check list.

You may need to know how long you can store your tape for allowing you to make confident bulk purchases if it can withstand hot and cold temperatures variations in your warehouse.

What about branding with adhesive tape?

You don’t want to miss an opportunity to make the most of your brand where you can. A simple thing like printing your logo on your adhesive tape  can make a difference.  Just think of a recent Amazon delivery you’ve received and you’ll immediately be able to recall their branding on the paper adhesive tape. It can make such an impact and makes it memorable too doesn’t it?

There’s lots of scope to do something extra special when it comes to those all important key retail events such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas. Again, you may be able to recall Amazon’s Prime Day or Christmas tape branding. It’s another opportunity to connect with your end user and a really easy way to let them know about special events, offers and promotions! You just need to think about your message, this could be your company tagline for example, and supply this copy along with your logo and any colour references to your packaging supplier – and voila! You have another channel to communicate your value!

Can your customers recycle your adhesive tape?

Wouldn’t it also be perfect to use your tape to inform your customers about it’s recycling properties? It can become a really powerful way to communicate with your customers that you’re thinking about the environment. There is huge confusion with consumers and end users in terms of even realising or understanding that tape can be recycled. And as you can imagine, there are quite a few restrictions. For example paper tape rather than vinyl or polypropylene tape would seem an obvious environmental choice but if it is reinforced paper tape (think back to that ribbed paper Amazon tape on your parcels again) – this can not actually be recycled so be aware!

And where you might think the vinyl and poly versions (which essentially is plastic film) can not be recycled – they can! But only if they cover less than 5% of the cardboard outer!

We have found that Water Activated Tape (WAT) has become a firm favourite with many of our customers. As long as it is not reinforced, it is totally recyclable. When the tape is exposed to water in a Gummed Tape Machine, at creates a permanent bond with the carton when applied.

Here is a simple chart to show you tapes and their recycling properties:

Working with a trusted packaging supplier will help you achieve your optimal adhesive tape choice.  It’s an opportunity to not only satisfy your despatch requirements but also address environmental concerns. Also see what ideas your packaging supplier has about maximising those branding opportunities!