Premium Labels & Packaging Solutions (PLPS) is a packaging supplier promoting its new company-wide sustainability initiatives and sustainable packaging solutions—including its fully recyclable labels, shrink sleeves, and flexible packaging. The company has also announced it earned a Silver Badge from EcoVadis.

The converter’s Earth+ product line includes labels and shrink sleeves to decorate packaging with—and they’re 100% recyclable. Consumers won’t need to remove them before recycling the empty bottle or jar.

The team at PLPS aims to advance its eco-friendly mission, while helping brands do the same. During production, PLPS uses eco-friendly ink and solvents. Its manufacturing and decorating processes reduce water usage and waste.

“As a proud part of the label and packaging community, we embrace our responsibility to make eco-conscious choices,” says Chris Payne, CEO of PLPS. “We believe sustainable practices inspire sustainable results,” he says. “We approached this initiative with a holistic mindset that impacts every facet of our business—from our raw materials to our products, plant operations, and, of course, our people,” he explains.

Formed in 2021, PLPS is a group of converters with years of experience in various industries, from beauty and pharma to aerospace. The company says it operates with the agility of a small business, but with the resources of a large corporation. 

PLPS Earth+ Labels & Flexible Packaging

PLPS’s Earth+ products offer packaging solutions to help brands reduce their environmental impact.

The 100% recyclable line includes:

• PLPS Earth+ PS—pressure-sensitive labels for PET and HDPE bottles and jars.
• PLPS Earth+ Shrink—shrink sleeves for PET and HDPE.
• PLPS Earth+ Flex—flexible packaging, with excellent barrier protection for oxygen and moisture, that can be decorated with stunning photo-quality graphics. To recycle, consumers can drop it off at participating stores in compliance with the How2Recycle program.

Related: PLPS Wins Silver Award at the NJPEC Package of the Year Gala 

An EcoVadis Certification and a New Mission

After PLPS began developing its Earth+ line, the company set its sights on pursuing an EcoVadis certification, which requires a stringent evaluation process.

“Once we started the product development process for PLPS Earth+, we knew we couldn’t stop there,” says Leslie Gurland, VP of Sales and Marketing at PLPS. “Earning a Silver Badge from EcoVadis is a significant achievement for our first assessment,” Gurland says.

PLPS gets its entire team involved in its sustainability initiatives. The company’s “Community Cares” program gives employees paid time off to join local events that help the environment.

The supplier also has a new mission statement to reflect its sustainable initiatives. It is: “We strive to be a trusted partner to our clients by enhancing their products, supporting their success, and driving positive environmental impact.”  

“Including the phrase ‘positive environmental impact’ in communicating our brand was intentional,” Payne explains. “It gave us a new lens through which to view our work for clients and within the PLPS culture,” he says.

Navigating Sustainability Challenges

PLPS specializes in helping brands transition to sustainable packaging. “We understand it is challenging, which is why our experts provide end-to-end support,” Gurland says.

The team knows how to meet both a brand’s aesthetic goals and recyclability criteria. “Our technical specialists are on press during trials, at the contract manufacturing facility during product filling, and at recycling centers to ensure the final product passes,” Gurland explains.

PLPS is currently developing more sustainable packaging solutions for brands looking for labels, shrink sleeves, and flexible packaging—stay tuned. Here’s more about the sustainable initiatives at PLPS.