TLMI Announces Liner Recycling Initiative

NASHVILLE, TN, August 27, 2024 – After several years of operating independent programs to research and identify recycling solutions for silicone-coated label release liner, TLMI and CELAB North America will merge their efforts under a unified TLMI project called the Liner Recycling Initiative (LRI).

“The goal of the initiative is to build on the work done to date by both organizations, and conduct regional pilots,” said TLMI President Linnea Keen. “These regional pilots will qualify silicone-coated paper release liner with known recycling and end markets before scaling the program through a deliberate build out. Collaboration with CELAB NA will serve to expand and elevate all existing liner recycling programs and advance marketplace solutions more quickly.”

TLMI and its implementation partner, Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), will be reaching out to interested partners within target regions to participate in the 6-month pilots. The TLMI goal for the initiative is a national recycling program for users of labels with silicone-coated paper release liner.

Tim Rummel, acting president of CELAB North America added, “The collaboration between TLMI and CELAB NA, along with the proven track record of RRS, will bring significant value and focus to what each group has been working on independently.”

The pilot will be aimed at both small and large generators of silicone-coated paper release liner and built around regional end markets in the upper Midwest or the Northeast. One mill operator has tested and qualified silicone-coated release liner, which is a major step in both helping the supply chain establish best practices and developing a roadmap for generators on how to divert this material from landfill and recycle it in a high-value market. 

For more information about LRI contact TLMI VP Sustainability, Rosalyn Bandy rosalyn.bandy@tlmi.com, and check the LRI website for upcoming announcements. Learn more at the upcoming AWA/TLMI printTHINK Seminar, September 8 in Rosemont, IL and the TLMI Annual Meeting beginning September 29 in Orlando, FL. TLMI – EVENTS

About TLMI

The Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI) was founded over 90 years ago and is the premier association representing the label and packaging industry. As a not-for-profit with a commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability, TLMI serves as the leading voice for its members fostering collaboration, promoting best practices, and driving continuous advancement. 

About CELAB North America

An ad-hoc industry coalition founded in 2020 with about 50 member companies from across the supply chain and around the world. CELAB NA is technology- and solution- neutral in order to ensure that the most viable solutions are developed and promoted for matrix and release liner recycling.

About RRS

RRS is a recycling and sustainability consultancy, headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI, with more than 70 employees across the U.S. and the globe. Drawing on decades of experience collaborating with stakeholders across the product and recycling value chains, RRS is known for its work on developing effective and economically sustainable programs for not-yet-recycled materials and products.