Glassine Liner Recycling: Closing the Loop on Liner Waste in NZ

As sustainability becomes a central priority for New Zealand businesses, reducing label waste and embracing circularity are increasingly vital.

What are glassine liners?

Glassine liners — used in various industries for their adhesive properties—often end up in landfills due to a lack of recycling solutions. This waste accumulates over time, contributing to the 17.49 million tonnes of waste generated annually in New Zealand¹, much of which could be avoided with effective recycling practices.

In response, SATO’s Glassine Liner Recycling Program offers an innovative way for New Zealand companies to reduce waste and meet sustainability targets.

What is the Glassine Liner Recycling Programme?

SATO’s Glassine Liner Recycling Program empowers businesses to recycle used glassine liners, ensuring they are redirected from landfills and repurposed into valuable materials. This unique program aligns with circular economy principles, providing an environmentally friendly disposal alternative. Through our recycling partner, glassine liners are collected, processed, and transformed into items such as recycled tissue paper for packaging — a sustainable solution that supports resource conservation and reduces waste.

Why Recycle Glassine Liners?

1. Reducing Environmental Impact

   Landfilling liners wastes valuable resources and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling liners through SATO helps businesses minimise their carbon footprint, reducing emissions associated with landfill waste and transportation.

2. Ensuring Compliance with Regulations

   New Zealand’s environmental regulations are becoming increasingly stringent, making compliance a top priority. By participating in the Glassine Liner Recycling Programme, businesses can demonstrate alignment with evolving waste regulations and position themselves as sustainability leaders in the marketplace.

3. Contributing to a Circular Economy

   Our programme embodies circular economy principles, turning waste into reusable material. By transforming linear waste streams into circular resources, brands strengthen their commitment to sustainability—a message that resonates with today’s eco-conscious consumers.

How the Programme Works

The Glassine Liner Recycling Program is designed with simplicity in mind, allowing companies to focus on their core business while reducing waste. Here’s how it works:

1. Sign Up

   Set up an account with SATO New Zealand to join the program and receive guidance on preparing glassine liner waste for recycling. We accept all white glassine liners, regardless of the original supplier.

2. Preparation and Storage

   Collect and store liners in designated boxes or bales on export-grade pallets. SATO provides specific guidance on packaging standards to ensure compliance and facilitate efficient processing.

3. Collection

   Contact your SATO account manager to let them know your liner boxes are ready for collection. A handling fee is charged per pallet.

4. Drop-Off or Pickup

   Companies can drop off prepared liner waste at a designated collection point or arrange a pickup service, streamlining the recycling process further.

5. Recycling and Repurposing

   Once collected, the liners undergo a pulping process to create recycled materials. This pulp is then used to manufacture tissue paper and other sustainable products, minimising the demand for virgin resources and supporting circular production.

Why Choose SATO for Your Recycling Needs?

SATO’s Glassine Liner Recycling Programme offers an efficient, measurable, and sustainable way to manage label waste:

• Transparent Metrics: Track the impact of your recycling efforts, including the volume of liners recycled and corresponding CO2 emission reductions.
• Complete Compliance: Our recycling partner manages all regulatory requirements, from waste transport documentation to full compliance with New Zealand’s waste disposal regulations.
• Strengthening Brand Story: By joining this programme, companies enhance their brand reputation, showcasing a tangible commitment to sustainability—a message that resonates deeply with today’s consumers.

Supporting Sustainability in New Zealand

In New Zealand, glassine liners are a significant component of packaging waste that can be diverted from landfills through responsible recycling. By opting into SATO’s Glassine Liner Recycling Programme, businesses can actively reduce their environmental impact, support resource efficiency, and promote a more sustainable future for Aotearoa. Recycling is not just about waste reduction; it’s about building a circular economy that benefits both businesses and the planet.

Get Started with SATO’s Glassine Liner Recycling Programme

Ready to join the movement? Contact SATO today to learn how our Glassine Liner Recycling Programme can help reduce your brand’s environmental footprint and elevate your sustainability story. Let’s work together to create a cleaner, greener New Zealand.

Source:

1. Ministry for the Environment - Waste Statistics 19 December 2023