Our approach to manufacturing
Sustainability starts on the production floor. That’s why, together with our parent company CCL Industries, we track emissions, energy use, and materials every year to make sure we’re moving in the right direction. CCL has set science-based targets for the organization, and we’re all in to help meet them.
Read CCL Industries Sustainability Report for more information.
CCL Organizational Goals
Waste
- Divert 90% of manufacturing by-products from landfills globally by 2025
- Reach net-zero waste to landfill from manufacturing in North America and Europe by 2030
Emissions
- By 2030: Cut Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% from 2022 base year
- By 2050: Reduce Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions* by 90% from 2022 base year
How Avery keeps manufacturing clean
At Avery, our sustainability commitment starts on our manufacturing floor. Here’s what we’re doing to make a difference:
- Scrap reuse: We recycle leftover binder film into resin and use it to make parts like marker caps and plugs.
- Better inks: Avery retail products are printed using water-based or UV inks, which are safer alternatives to solvent-based inks. Our UV LED lamps consume less energy and eliminate the need for hazardous materials like mercury. Additionally, our custom printing service uses inks free from harmful heavy metals and that meet strict safety standards.
- Emissions-free forklifts: Our production floors run on electric forklifts for a cleaner, safer environment.
Sustainability that earns recognition
In 2025, CCL Industries earned a Silver Medal from EcoVadis highlighting the strength of its sustainability practices and its commitment to transparency across the entire value chain.
Designed with sustainability in mind
Paper sourced responsibly
We’re proud that 98%** of our paper labels and 95%** of our paper dividers, cards, and tags come from responsibly managed sources. Our goal is to reach 100% responsibly sourced paper across all products (FSC®-C007276).
Curbside recyclable
Most of our labels, 78%** of them, use adhesives designed for recycling. Paper labels made with recycling-compatible adhesives do not interfere with the paper recycling process. So when labels stick to recyclable paper, the whole item can go straight into your recycling bin after use.
Some of our custom printed roll film labels use adhesives that help recycling by allowing the label to peel off easily during the recycling process when applied to HDPE plastic bottles and containers.Our paper cards, tags, and dividers can also be recycled in your curbside bin. For paper dividers, simply remove the plastic tabs and reinforced strips before recycling the paper material.
Please Note: Avery label backing sheets are NOT recyclable.
Processed chlorine free
Paper is often bleached with chlorine to get a bright white color and improve printing quality. But in Processed Chlorine Free (PCF) paper, no chlorine is added during manufacturing. Instead, alternatives like oxygen, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide are used. PCF paper uses recycled content that may have been bleached with chlorine in the past, but it is never re-bleached with chlorine compounds. This process significantly reduces harmful substances released into the environment.
Our eco-friendly collection—including matte white labels, name badges, dividers, and kraft brown labels and cardstock—is made with paper processed without chlorine.
Sustainable materials
Our top picks for sustainability include recycled matte white paper, kraft brown paper, hemp, and dissolvable materials. These help reduce environmental impact while delivering the quality you expect from Avery.
Eco-friendly features, built right in.
From recycled materials and responsibly sourced paper to recycling-compatible adhesives and processed chlorine-free paper, our products are designed with sustainability in mind.
Dividers
- Made with 100% recycled paper that's responsibly sourced and processed chlorine free
*Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services, capital goods, fuel and energy-related activities, upstream transportation and distribution, waste generated in operations, downstream transportation and distribution, processing of sold products, use of sold products, and end-of-life treatment of sold products
**Recyclability and sustainably sourced claims are based on our company’s internal assessments and methodologies, have not been independently verified or third-party certified, and may vary depending on local recycling capabilities, sourcing practices, and product type.
***Flat rate shipping offer applies to economy shipping only. Free economy shipping offer applies to orders with a merchandise total of $50.00 or greater (after discounts, before shipping and tax). If another shipping method is selected, charges may apply. Offer applies only to Avery WePrint orders shipped to the United States and Puerto Rico. Offers subject to change.
