Mercian Labels | 81Turning words into actionUK converter Mercian Labels helps its customers to reach circular economy goals by running a liner recycling service – just one of a host of sustainability initiatives. Piotr Wnuk reportsercian Labels has been operating since 1969. It started in a small building in Penkridge and has Msince expanded to a 24,000 sqft factory in Burntwood, Staffordshire, UK. “As manufacturers, we recognize our responsibilities around waste and are keen to partner with our customers to ensure The company partnered with community organizations, Lichfeld District Council, the Town Council and local schools to plant 450 treesit is minimalized”With a combination of fexo, screen, digital toner and inkjet technologies, it specializes in short and long-run self-adhesive labels, long-run variable data labels, barcode production and ships many millions of labels every week to more than 9,000 customers.In 2020, the company invested 1m GBP to improve and automate its manufacturing capabilities. ‘Automation leads to increased effciency, which leads to less energy consumption and less waste,’ says Hugo Gell, sales and marketing director, associated with the company for the last 17 years. ‘For example, all our lighting has been converted to LED. Mercian Labels’ 24,000 sqft factory in Burntwood, Staffordshire, UKWe are still learning, and keen to learn, of practical ways in which we can do better.’ the social, and environmental performance new and existing customers to join the Governed by a board of directors of a company over time. recycling efforts.and management team, the 60-plus ‘This brings greater and broader value ‘Self-adhesive labels have traditionally employees are motivated and engaged to the business and ensures that we had an inherent problem, which is the waste with the company values – teamwork, remain focused on the bigger longer-term that is the liner. The liner is an essential part quality, commitment and honesty. The picture – not just “get rich quick”. After all, of the labeling process in many instances, culture is embedded throughout the Mercian Labels has been trading for over 50 and often it constitutes to more than business and is the bedrock of Mercian years, something which only 1 percent of 50 percent of a run of labels,’ declares Labels’ corporate responsibility focusing businesses manage to achieve, and this has Gell. ‘As manufacturers, we recognize our on all aspects of ethics. been done through careful and considered responsibilities around waste and are keen Sustainability, in its broadest sense, is one long-term strategic focus.’ to partner with our customers to ensure it of the company’s fundamental pillars. While is minimalized.’many businesses worldwide openly speak Closing the liner loop Customers participating in the program about decreasing their carbon footprint, The latest initiative, the new Closed can return pre-sorted Mercian Labels’ liner Mercian Labels turns words into action. Loop label liner recycling service, is set waste to the company, where it is checked, ‘The board of directors has been focused to impact not only Mercian Labels but collated, and sent off to the pulping plant for some time on the strategic importance businesses throughout the UK and the to be turned into release liner and paper.of sustainability for the business,’ confrms wider environment, generating cost ‘We keep any liner waste that is created Gell. ‘The Triple bottom Line concept savings and contributing to the growing here in the factory, and we encourage our extends the traditional idea of focusing on circular economy. The program is currently customers to store their liner waste until simple Proft, to now include measuring of wide open. Mercian Labels encourages all they have suffcient volume to ship back Jan - Mar 2022