♻️ Are Recycling Labels and Print Really Sustainable?
Here’s a quick rundown of the FuturePrint seminar we attended last week on sustainability in print. Surprisingly, the print industry has strong sustainable roots built on recyclable papers, water-based inks, and increasingly, the use of eco-conscious materials like recycling labels.
Overview
On June 27, FuturePrint brought together an expert panel by Elena Knight, Steve Lister, Carlos Lahoz, Stefan Casey, Jeff Freeman, and Matthew Rogerson – to challenge assumptions and offer insights on how print can reduce its environmental footprint. The session tackled big questions: Can print be sustainable? What role do recycling labels play? And how do we unify the industry around meaningful change?
Reframing Perception: Print vs. Digital
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Challenging assumptions: The panel challenged the belief that digital is always greener than print, exploring the environmental cost of digital advertising compared to recyclable printed materials.
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Evidence-based insights: When responsibly sourced and labelled with proper recycling labels, printed products can match, or outperform, digital media in sustainability.
Industry Readiness & Response
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Regulations and eco-conscious customers are driving brands and printers to prove their commitment.
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The “Manifesto for More Sustainable Print,” launched earlier this year, aims to standardize how sustainability is measured—including labelling for recycling and end-of-life disposal.
Collaboration Is Key
Sustainability in print, especially around recycling labels and waste reduction, can’t be tackled alone. The panel stressed the need for:
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Shared sustainability frameworks, like the Manifesto
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Cross-industry collaboration between suppliers, printers, and brands
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Action, not just promises, on decarbonization and material choices
From Theory to Practice
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Brand responsibility: Sustainability should be embedded across packaging and print, right down to the use of clear, compliant recycling labels.
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Printer accountability: Reporting on emissions, materials, and recyclability is essential.
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Supply chain focus: Eco-friendly inks, substrates, and labels help reduce environmental impact from start to finish.
Final Takeaways
| Insight | Summary |
|---|---|
| Print has potential | With responsible sourcing and recycling labels, print can be truly sustainable |
| Integrity matters | Greenwashing erodes trust—back claims with facts and transparency |
| Unite for impact | The Manifesto gives us a common goal to work toward |
| Act, don’t just talk | From emissions tracking to better labelling, action speaks louder than pledges |
💬 What You Can Do
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Explore the Manifesto: Dive into the first draft and share your feedback ahead of its September 2025 rollout – futureprint.tech
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Get involved: Whether you’re a brand, supplier, or printer, now’s the time to join the conversation—and implement real solutions like recycling labels that support a circular economy.