Reducing manufacturing waste through recycling and reuse initiatives

We continue to work to increase our recycled content, while reducing packaging waste in our products.  We source locally, where possible, for materials, packaging & other supplies.  

We have worked to combine many of our Laser only and Ink-jet only products into Dual tech (printable by either printer) so that we can have longer production runs with fewer changeovers, which uses less power and reduces scrap.

Our facility has LED lighting in our offices, Distribution Centre and Manufacturing floor.  In our Distribution Centre, the lighting is motion-sensing.

LED lighting uses up to 75% less energy than traditional lighting. 

Motion-sensing lights in the Distribution Centre ensure energy is only used when spaces are occupied, eliminating waste from idle lighting

We are proud to use LED air-cured inks in our packaged Labels production.  

LED air-cured inks typically:

• Contain fewer harmful chemicals
• Produce lower VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions
• Improved indoor air quality supports both environmental and employee health

At our Whitby site, we recycle our corrugate, plastics, raw material label cores as well as other usual blue box items. 

We use recycled pallets and even sell any damaged pallets back to a local pallet refurbishing company. 

Through these initiatives, we are helping:

• Less landfill waste:
  Damaged pallets are repaired, dismantled, or reused rather than discarded. 
• Reduced raw material demand:
  Reusing wood reduces logging and supports circular economy goals. 
• Lower carbon footprint:
  Manufacturing new pallets consumes more energy than refurbishing existing ones. 
•  Improves ESG reporting:
  Demonstrates measurable waste diversion and reuse initiatives—valuable for customers and audits.

We prioritize diverting obsolete inventory from landfill by discounting or donating it whenever possible—extending product life, reducing waste, and supporting our communities.

If we are unable to donate product (if it is past it’s usable shelf life, as could be the case with a self-adhesive product), we will do our best to divert as much of the product as possible from ending up in landfill.  Sometimes that means we are taking apart cases, or even packages of product to ensure the corrugate and packaging is re-used or recycled as appropriate, sending as little to the waste bin as possible.

Because we share a portion of our facility with Checkpoint Systems Canada (the division of CCL Industries that focuses on RF and RFID solutions for loss prevention and inventory management at Retail), we are able to work with them to recycle metals and batteries too.

Avery Products Canada participates in Circular Materials Canada as a responsible producer of products that may find their way to Canada’s recycling bins.

This is what is known as their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Program, which includes standards, regulations and a commitment to continuous improvement, all of which align to our goals and plans.

Consumers can use our Material Selector to help them make sustainable choices and compare materials.

Removable labels are ideal wherever substrates are reused, contents change, or clean removal preserves functionality, appearance, and lifecycle value.

These are some of the primary examples of where a Removable Label serves as a great option:

• Reusable glass bottles (beverage programs): Clean label removal supports washing and refilling, reducing cleaning intensity and extending bottle life.
• Food and ingredient jars (consumer reuse): Easy peel labels let consumers repurpose jars for storage without sticky residue.
• Refillable personal care & cleaning bottles: Labels can be swapped when contents change, enabling long-term reuse of a single container. 
• Returnable transport packaging (crates, totes, pallets): Temporary labels remove cleanly, preventing buildup and preserving durability for repeated logistics cycles.
• Laboratory containers & industrial drums: Replaceable labels allow safe reuse as contents change, minimizing hazardous waste.
• Retail & apparel labeling: Clean removal prevents product damage and extends usability of items like glassware or packaging.
• Reusable food service containers: Temporary labels (names, dates) can be removed after washing to maintain hygiene and appearance.
• Construction & surface protection materials: Removable labels or films protect substrates and can be removed without damage, preserving material lifespan.

Removable labels are most impactful when they:

• Enable reuse cycles without degradation
• Reduce cleaning intensity (energy, water, chemicals)
• Avoid contamination or damage to the substrate
• Support circular or refill systems