# 272 - Labels are the biggest problem in PET plastic recycling. Is the answer SmartSolve?

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2024-07-09
- Length: 33m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-07-09-272-labels-are-the-biggest-problem-in-pet-plastic-recycling-is-the-answer-smarts
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/272-labels-are-the-biggest-problem

## Summary

Roz Bandy, Vice President of Sustainability for TLMI, and Alex Abbott from SmartSolve discuss how labels are the primary obstacle in PET plastic recycling and how SmartSolve’s water-soluble paper labels resolve this issue. They explain that traditional labels cause clogs and contamination in wastewater treatment facilities, whereas SmartSolve’s dissolvable adhesive and substrate break down completely, allowing the PET container to be recycled cleanly. The conversation highlights SmartSolve’s recent achievement of becoming the first paper label to pass the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) design for recycling guidelines, a milestone that validates the technology for recyclers and brands aiming to meet sustainability commitments.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-07-09-272-labels-are-the-biggest-problem-in-pet-plastic-recycling-is-the-answer-smarts#t=0) Introduction: Roz Bandy and Alex Abbott
- [3:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-07-09-272-labels-are-the-biggest-problem-in-pet-plastic-recycling-is-the-answer-smarts#t=233) Roz Bandy and TLMI's Sustainability Role
- [7:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-07-09-272-labels-are-the-biggest-problem-in-pet-plastic-recycling-is-the-answer-smarts#t=424) Alex Abbott and SmartSolve's Background
- [11:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-07-09-272-labels-are-the-biggest-problem-in-pet-plastic-recycling-is-the-answer-smarts#t=707) The Impact of Labels on PET Recycling
- [15:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-07-09-272-labels-are-the-biggest-problem-in-pet-plastic-recycling-is-the-answer-smarts#t=902) SmartSolve's APR Certification Breakthrough
- [21:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-07-09-272-labels-are-the-biggest-problem-in-pet-plastic-recycling-is-the-answer-smarts#t=1288) How SmartSolve Labels Dissolve in Recycling
- [28:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-07-09-272-labels-are-the-biggest-problem-in-pet-plastic-recycling-is-the-answer-smarts#t=1718) Industry Collaboration and EPR Implications

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Certification & compliance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/certification-and-compliance)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- TLMI (company)
- SmartSolve (company)
- APR (company)
- Avery (company)
- UPM Raflatac (company)
- MacTack (company)
- Meyers Packaging (company)
- Specright (company)
- Trayak (company)
- The Scrapp App (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [40. Why Plastic Eating Enzymes Will Save Our Oceans](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-10-19-40-why-plastic-eating-enzymes-will-save-our-oceans) (The Next Byte Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2024-07-09-272-labels-are-the-biggest-problem-in-pet-plastic-recycling-is-the-answer-smarts. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to People of Packaging.