Efforts to improve recyclability of containers with shrink sleeve films are accelerating, as evidenced by the introduction of a floatable label film from Fort Dearborn Co., in Elk Grove Village, Ill.

Flotable shrink sleeve lifts recyclability. The film features a specific gravity of less than 1 and lower density than traditional shrink sleeve films. The company says these characteristics enable the film to float and separate more easily from PET bottles during recycling processes. The film also may help reduce contamination and raise the quality of the PET that is recycled.

According to Fort Dearborn, the label meets recyclable guidelines for PET containers set by the Association of Plastics Recyclers. The guidelines include use of recycling-friendly inks and coatings. The company identifies several benefits of floatable shrink sleeve labels:

• Provide value-added product information or requirements
• Meets APR ink and film guidelines for PET recycling process
• Specific gravity < 1.0 to float during recycling
• Film offers optical clarity
• Printed with recycling friendly inks & coatings
• Runs on existing application equipment