# 303 - Packaging Today - Why labels are awesome and also kinda suck

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2025-01-28
- Length: 38m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-01-28-303-packaging-today-why-labels-are-awesome-and-also-kinda-suck
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/303-packaging-today-why-labels-are

## Summary

Adam Peek, a packaging industry expert with 14 years of experience in labels and folding cartons, explains why labels are integral to packaging and discusses the critical role of adhesive selection in recyclability. He contrasts the forgiving nature of HDPE recycling with the economic challenges of PET recycling, where mismatched adhesives can render clear containers non-recyclable due to falling virgin resin prices. Peek also addresses the complexities of shrink sleeves on aluminum cans, digital printing on cans, and the potential role of chemical recycling in handling difficult plastic streams.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-01-28-303-packaging-today-why-labels-are-awesome-and-also-kinda-suck#t=3) Introduction: Adam Peek and the Necessity of Labels
- [2:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2025-01-28-303-packaging-today-why-labels-are-awesome-and-also-kinda-suck#t=166) Label Examples: PET, HDPE, and Scanning Requirements

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Specright (tool)
- Triac (tool)
- So Good So You (product)
- Hidden Valley Ranch (product)
- Body Armor (product)
- Coca-Cola (company)
- Green Bay Packaging (company)
- UPM (company)
- MacTack (company)
- Flexcon (company)
- Avery (company)
- Fasson (company)

## 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/2025-01-28-303-packaging-today-why-labels-are-awesome-and-also-kinda-suck. 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.