FINAT announces winners of first Recycling Awards Competition

FINAT, the international association for the (self-adhesive) labeling industry, announced the winners of the first FINAT Recycling Awards Competition during its annual congress in Monaco.

In the converter category, the winner Hagmaier Etiketten & Druck GmbH impressed with the high recycling rates for both paper and film liner, the communication efforts made both inside and outside of the company, and with the solutions offered for other secondary materials.

Moreover, by offering customers take back of spent liner, the company not only demonstrates responsibility for its own secondary materials, but helps others as well.

Unilever edged out other companies in the end-user category based on the company's clear dedication to a zero waste to landfill policy. Not only is this clearly communicated on the company's website and in its sustainability report, but it is also being reflected in Unilever’s long history in liner recycling and its impressive liner recycling figures.

FINAT established a jury of international experts that was chaired by Jacques van Leeuwen, former FINAT recycling consultant and industry veteran.

"With the growing number of recycling solutions available today, we decided that the time was right to launch a FINAT Recycling Award," says Mr. Van Leeuwen. "This award brings recognition to the recycling efforts made by these companies and helps to promote the best practices in liner recycling."

The 11 entries reflected a total of well over 1,000 tons of recycled film and paper liner, as well as a significant amount of recycled matrix and other secondary material, according to FINAT.