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Tag. We’re it: Fastener Solutions introduces new recycled Polypropylene (rPP) fasteners for apparel applications

Made from 30% recycled content, the new fasteners are the latest addition to Fastener Solutions’ environmentally friendly Ecotach™ portfolio.

October 20, 2022

What do clear plastic take-out containers have to do with apparel solutions? A lot, it turns out, as Fastener Solutions has developed a way to turn the ubiquitous trash into recycled treasure. 

 

Avery Dennison’s Ecotach rPP fasteners is a line of paddle-style hang tags that uses #5 plastics – post-consumer take-out containers that have been picked, cleaned and turned into small, clear pellets – as a base.

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Available in 0.5-inch to 3-inch sizes, the fasteners come in standard natural or custom colors and can be used with existing tagging tools for standard and fine fabrics. Perhaps best of all, the line provides what apparel retailers are seeking most – traceability.

Traceability

Traceability is a component of sustainability that means being able to identify and track all stages of a product’s lifecycle. Increasingly, apparel manufacturers, brand owners and retailers will need to demonstrate traceability to meet plastics recycling targets and comply with government-mandated requirements – already in effect in Europe and pending in other countries including the U.S.  

The new rPP products have been certified to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) – the gold standard for traceability of recycled products worldwide and in line with the current GRS-certified recycled products offered by Avery Dennisons' Retail Branding and Information Solutions (RBIS).

“Our Ecotach rPP fasteners can help companies meet their recycled-plastic goals and prevent huge quantities of virgin plastic from entering the waste stream,” said Matthew Hayes, associate product manager, Fastener Solutions North America, Industrial and Healthcare Materials (IHM). 

Incredibly, one billion of the tiny 2” or 3” fasteners would eliminate around 39,000 lbs. of plastic waste from landfills.

With all the pluses the fasteners offer, Matt calls them a “no brainer” for existing Retail Branding and Information Solutions’ (RBIS) customers – who, since June 2022, have been able to order the Ecotach rPP fasteners. These products enable brands to achieve and take credit for up to thousands of pounds of plastic annually for fractions of a penny per fastener.

Avery Dennison will market the sustainable fasteners globally, furthering our 2030 Sustainability Goals and serving to push the industry in terms of circularity. Added Matt, “It’s up to us to take the lead and make the change.”