Liner Recycling Initiative

FAQs

ABOUT LRI & SPONSORSHIP

The Liner Recycling Initiative (LRI) is a collaborative effort where TLMI and its members are working to create recycling solutions for paper release liner in North America. To advance this goal, the LRI is working with an experienced recycling partner, Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), in a pilot to identify recycling mills and establish best operational practices for both small and large end-users that generate release liner.

LRI’s goals are to develop a robust national paper release liner recycling program that connects both small and large end-users to qualified recycling mills. The focus of the pilot is:

  • Build upon the learnings and recycling experience of the label industry, to date. 
  • Identify best practices for convenient collection and aggregation of release liner for truckload and less-than-truckload end-users that generate release liner.
  • Elevate all existing liner recycling programs by developing an industry roadmap to scale a recycling strategy, nationally.
  • TLMI members will be represented by the Release Liner Committee co-chairs and members of the Board of Directors that form the Steering Committee for the project.  Additionally, working with the Steering Committee, TLMI members will have an opportunity to provide input on participants for the pilot if they are within the region targeted for the pilot.

ABOUT RELEASE LINER

Release liner is the backing of a pressure-sensitive label, sticker, or tape. After labels are printed and cut to shape, the edges around the die-cut labels are removed so that only the labels remain on the release liner. The release liner is coated with a release agent, typically silicone, so that the labels can be easily removed and applied.

Learn more →

Release liner is made of paper or PET film that has a thin release coating, typically silicone, which allows a label to be peeled away from the liner. Most release liners are made from paper and the main grades used in the pressure-sensitive label industry are glassine, super-calendered kraft (SCK), clay-coated Kraft (CCK), and polyolefin-coated kraft (PCK). 

Silicone-coated paper release liners may be recycled with other paper grades or in a dedicated release liner line. Learn more→

Soprema Specifications and Aggregator Information

Soprema mixes paper release liner with other sources of recovered fiber to create many types of building material used in roofing, waterproofing, and wall protection.

  1.  The release liner should be free of all contaminants, including wood, plastics, metals, and organic waste.
  2. There should be less than 5% labels left on the release liner.
  3. The release liner should not be re-wound on a core. 
  4. To avoid moisture contamination, release liner should be stored indoors.
  1. Paper release liner can be pleaced in gaylords, or Supersack. 
  2. Each gaylord or supersack, must be placed on a wood pallet 
  3. Each pallet must weigh at least 175LBS.
  4. Use manual compaction to increase volume. 
  5. Gaylords will be recycled. Supersacks will be repurposed. 
  •  Contact, via email, the Soprema location closest to you: 
  • Include the following in your email: 
    • Company name 
    • Contact person 
    • Full address of the pickup location 
    • Number of pallets to be picked up
    • Approximate weight of the pallets
  • Safety: The material must be secured in suitable, undamaged containers and placed on pallets (see 3.). You are responsible for loading the material into the truck or trailer. 
  • Soprema requires a minimum of 72 hours to proceed with the pickup.
  • Bill of lading: Soprema will provide the bill of lading which must be pre-filled at the time of pick-up. 
  • Identify the following information: 
    • Shipper/warehouse number to ensure traceability of your material. 
    • Recipient: Soprema location where your material will be recycled.
    • Total number of pallets.
    • Approximate weight of each pallet. 
    • Note: the carrier must be loaded within a reasonable time. Waiting fees will be billed to the client.

Yes, subject to inventory availability. Certain minimums and fees may apply. Standard supply is Gaylords or super sacs.