Yerecic Label Wins 2024 Calvin Frost Elevation Sustainability Award & Announces Transition to APR Recognized Wash-Away Adhesive

Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do at Yerecic Label, and 2024 has been a momentous year for our company. We are honored to announce that we have been awarded the prestigious 2024 Calvin Frost Elevation Sustainability Award by the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI). This recognition highlights our ongoing efforts to drive the industry forward in sustainability while staying true to our core mission of quality and innovation.

Achieving Sustainability Leadership

The Calvin Frost Sustainability Leadership Awards are a hallmark of sustainability excellence within TLMI member companies. These awards are divided into three levels: Trailhead, Journey, and Elevation. The Elevation Award, the highest honor, recognizes companies that are not only leading the industry in sustainability but also making measurable strides in reducing their environmental impact.

Elizabeth Yerecic Freedman, Co-owner and EVP of Sales and Sustainability, shared her thoughts on this achievement:
“We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to our team for their hard work and dedication, which have made this achievement possible. The commitment and passion each team member brings to our sustainability goals and the pursuit of continuous improvement truly merit this recognition.”

Transitioning to APR Recognized Wash-Away Adhesive

In conjunction with this exciting award, Yerecic Label is taking another significant step forward in sustainability by transitioning to a wash-away adhesive for appropriate film pressure-sensitive labels applied to PET packaging. This innovation has been formally recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), marking a substantial improvement in the recyclability of food-grade PET products.

Jon Boyer, Yerecic Label’s VP of Purchasing & Product Development, shared:
“This transition is a game-changer for both our customers and the environment, boosting recycling efficiency without compromising label performance. It reflects our dedication to Design for Recycling and simplifies material specifications for PET packaging, keeping us at the forefront of sustainability and quality.”

The Impact of Collaboration

At Yerecic Label, we believe that meaningful change happens through collaboration. Our partnership with APR underscores the importance of working together to enhance recycling efforts and reduce waste.

Steve Alexander, APR President & CEO, congratulated us on our accomplishment:
“APR congratulates Yerecic Label for receiving the Calvin Frost Sustainability Award and taking action to improve the recyclability of their packaging. Yerecic Label not only took the steps to receive APR Design® Recognition for their labels but also transitioned to using adhesives that have been formally recognized. Collaborative efforts like this lead to less waste, more efficient use of limited natural resources, and more high-quality post-consumer resin (PCR) for new products.”

Looking Ahead

While we aim to assign this new adhesive specification wherever suitable, it’s important to note that customers should inquire about specific use cases to ensure compatibility with their product’s end-of-life requirements.

For more information about this transition and its benefits to the industry, please contact Elizabeth Yerecic Freedman. You can also learn more about Yerecic Label’s APR Design® Recognized printed pressure-sensitive label solution by visiting the APR® Design Recognition Directory.

We are incredibly proud of this milestone, and as we continue on our sustainability journey, we remain focused on delivering innovative solutions that benefit both our customers and the environment.

To learn more, visit YLfresh.com.