Labels & Stickers (Pressure-Sensitive)
Packaging Low Confidence
Carbon Cost Index Score
4 kgCO₂e / per kg
Per kg
4 kgCO₂e / kg
Methodology v1.0 · Last reviewed 2026-04-08
Scope Breakdown
| Scope | kgCO₂e | % of Total | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 0.2 | 5% | |
| Scope 2 | 0.6 | 15% | |
| Scope 3 | 3.2 | 80% | |
| Total | 4 | 100% |
Emission Hotspots
| Emission Hotspot | Scope | Est. % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Face stock production (paper or PP/PE film) | S3 | 25% |
| Silicone-coated release liner (PET or glassine paper + silicone) | S3 | 25% |
| Acrylic adhesive production (emulsion polymerization) | S3 | 20% |
| Printing (UV flexo, digital, or thermal transfer) | S2 | 18% |
| Die-cutting, matrix stripping, and rewinding | S2 | 12% |
Manufacturing Geography
- Region
- China, USA, EU (Germany, Finland)
- Grid Intensity
- 565 gCO2e/kWh (IEA 2024, China); 390 gCO2e/kWh (IEA 2024, USA)
Material Composition Assumptions
The default reference product is 1 kg of printed pressure-sensitive labels on a roll (approximately 1,000 small labels or 200 shipping labels), composed of:
- Face stock: Paper (wood-free or semi-gloss coated) or polypropylene film, approximately 30-40% of total laminate mass.
- Adhesive: Permanent acrylic emulsion adhesive, approximately 15-20% of mass. Applied by slot-die or curtain coating.
- Release liner: Silicone-coated glassine paper or PET film, approximately 40-50% of total laminate mass. The liner is discarded after label application and represents significant waste.
- Printing ink: UV-curable flexographic, thermal transfer, or digital ink, approximately 1-3% of mass.
Pressure-sensitive labels have a uniquely high waste fraction — the release liner (40-50% of material by weight) is typically landfilled or incinerated after label application. This makes labels one of the most material-inefficient packaging formats by usable-content ratio.
Manufacturing Geography
Label production is a large, fragmented global industry:
- Label stock production: Avery Dennison (USA/global), UPM Raflatac (Finland), Lintec (Japan). These companies produce the laminate rolls (face + adhesive + liner).
- Label printing/converting: Thousands of small-to-medium converters globally. Major hubs in China, USA, EU.
- Grid intensity (China): 565 gCO2e/kWh (IEA 2024).
- Rationale: Label converting (printing, die-cutting, rewinding) is moderately energy-intensive. Upstream material production (paper, film, adhesive, silicone coating) dominates the footprint.
Regional Variation
| Manufacturing Region | Estimated Score (per kg) | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
| China (default) | 4.0 kgCO2e | Baseline |
| USA | 3.5 kgCO2e | -13% |
| EU (Finland, Germany) | 3.2 kgCO2e | -20% |
Provenance Override Guidance
- Supplier EPD or PCF from label stock producers (Avery Dennison, UPM Raflatac publish environmental data).
- Linerless label data: Linerless label technology eliminates the release liner waste, reducing material use by 30-40%.
- Recycled face stock: PCR paper or film face materials.
- Thin-liner constructions: Reduced-weight PET liners (12 micron vs. 36 micron) lower material and emissions.
Methodology Notes
- CCI score of 4 kgCO2e/kg is a conservative estimate for conventional paper-face labels with glassine release liner. UPM Raflatac reports 2.5-5.0 kgCO2e/kg depending on construction.
- Scope breakdown: Scope 3 at 80% (3.2 kgCO2e/kg) from face stock, adhesive, liner, and ink production. Scope 2 at 15% (0.6 kgCO2e/kg) from printing and die-cutting. Scope 1 at 5% (0.2 kgCO2e/kg).
- Confidence: Low — limited peer-reviewed LCA data for pressure-sensitive labels. Estimate based on industry data from FINAT and major label stock producers.
- Functional unit: 1 kg of printed pressure-sensitive labels on roll, cradle to gate.
- Included: Face stock, adhesive, release liner, printing, die-cutting. Excluded: Label application energy, liner disposal.
Related Concepts
Related Categories
Sources
- FINAT (2020) — FINAT Sustainability Report. European self-adhesive label industry association. Documents lifecycle data for pressure-sensitive labels including release liner waste as a significant environmental issue.
- EPA USEEIO (2020) — US Environmentally-Extended Input-Output Model v2.0. Sector 'Stationery product manufacturing' (NAICS 322230) and 'Commercial printing' (NAICS 323100).
- PlasticsEurope (2014) — Eco-profiles for PET and PP films used as label face stocks and release liners.
- GHG Protocol (2014) — Scope 3 Calculation Guidance. Emission factors for paper and plastic products.
- UPM Raflatac (2022) — Environmental data for self-adhesive label materials. Reports cradle-to-gate GWP of approximately 2.5-5.0 kgCO2e/kg for various label constructions depending on face stock and liner type.