82 | Mercian LabelsCustomers participating in the Closed Loop program can return pre-sorted Brands often forget about release liners, says Mercian Labels, because there liner waste to Mercian Labels, which will check, collate and send it off simply hasn’t been a sustainable alternative to landfll or incineration to a pulping plant, where it will be turned back into release liner or paperto us,’ says Gell. ‘This generally costs our “Social responsibility, engaging with the local customers less than sending it to landfll or other waste streams. Once we have community and sustainability are becoming suffcient liner waste in our factory storage area, it can be shipped to a paper mill in increasingly important in the world of business”Europe where it can be turned back into label liner again or similar products such as paper for the magazine industry. This is a than mature trees as they grow, and this all ‘We have enthusiastically undertaken the truly circular waste cycle.’ helps nature breathe. Also, these pupils will environmental management standard that According to Mercian Labels, the label remember about this initiative for years to is ISO14001 – not because we want to pay release liner is often forgotten about by come. They are our future – whether direct lip service, but because we want to really brands because there simply hasn’t been employees or residents.’ make a difference. We offer an extensive a sustainable alternative to processing This is an excellent example of range of increasingly sustainable materials,’ label liner waste other than landfll or partnership between a local business, local says Gell. ‘Where synthetic or flmic incineration for many years. schools, community organizations, Lichfeld materials have traditionally been made with Many of Mercian Labels’ smaller District Council, and the Town Council. fossil fuels, we are offering materials with customers have quickly adopted the ‘We have been more than happy to make the same properties that are made using initiative and fnd it simple and benefcial. the links between the various partners and harvested trees.’They can turn these ideas around without facilitate this exciting project which will When a company achieves ISO 14001 any long decision-making process. enhance the local environment for many certifcation, it commits to do its part to ‘The larger blue-chip organizations years to come and help address climate protect and preserve the environment for involve more people over more change issues in our town,’ comments future generations to come. By identifying departments, so there tend to be protracted Susan Woodward, leader of Burntwood its environmental impact, the company periods of discussions,’ adds Gell. ‘We are a Town Council. ‘For me, the project ticks all has developed actions and procedures to little surprised that the higher powers such of the boxes and I’m delighted that it’s now improve its performance to create a more as sustainability offcers or CSR execs aren’t starting to happen.’ effcient business with less waste and a seizing this opportunity with both hands, It is another story Mercian Labels can sustainably responsible supply chain. but we have been faced with home-working tell its customers and another way of ‘We are always learning, asking ourselves issues, which doesn’t help.’ reminding its prospective suppliers that and each other what we can do better, how As a result of the Closed Loop initiative, it wants to continually improve its Triple we can make more positive contributions the company expects to recycle around 100 Bottom Line credentials. to our colleagues, our local community, tons of liner waste in the frst year alone ‘Social responsibility, engaging with the and our environment,’ concludes Gell, – the equivalent in weight to a Boeing local community and sustainability are reaffrming that these ethics will drive 757-200 aircraft. This volume of waste becoming increasingly important in the Mercian Labels for several more decades prevents 228 tons of CO2 emissions, which, world of business these days, and we are to come. ‘It is vital for our future and in turn, equals six average-sized cars driven already working with customers who are very important for the local community for a year. To capture and store the same looking for more sustainable products, surrounding us. We fully recognize our amount of carbon dioxide would take 3,770 whether it be the materials used to impact on the local environment, and we tree seedlings grown over ten years. make them or where they are sourced,’ want to make it positive.’confrms Gell.Helping nature breathe In March 2021 the company gained ‘Recently, we partnered with 100 pupils ISO 14001 certifcation, reinforcing its More information about the Closed from local schools to plant 450 trees in commitment to being a sustainable Loop Liner recycling program go to: an area donated by the local council,’ says and environmentally conscious www.mercianlabels.com/ Gell. ‘Younger trees absorb more carbon manufacturing business.liner-recycling-programme/labelsandlabeling.com