SATO offers "green" labels, tags

SATO Labeling Solutions America Inc. has introduced new biodegradable plastics to its line of tags and labels, which are still crafted to hold up to all sorts of weather challenges.

The new materials offer controlled degradation – that is, degradation that results from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae. The plastics will biodegrade when disposed of in a natural environment, such as a landfill. They do not measurably degrade from conventional product usage in open air or storage, and they hold up well in wet conditions.

“We want our customers to know that SATO can print ‘green,’” said Steve Owen, company marketing coordinator. He noted that the new biodegradable plastics have to undergo a certification process that confirms they have been tested by independent laboratories in accordance with standard test methods approved by ASTM, ISO and other standardization bodies.

Owen said the company also has recently enhanced its ‘green’ side by creating liner-less label rolls. By using an adhesive that won’t stick to the label behind it, the company has been able to conserve materials used in label rolls. “The liner-less rolls are an inch [or more] thinner than the conventional rolls,” Owen said. “This enables us to use far less material and to conserve resources significantly.”