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Avery Dennison defines benefits of OCC-E certification

Brett Borovicka joins L&NW to explain how this benchmark proves that a material is compatible with existing recycling infrastructures.

Released By Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials

Avery Dennison has just announced that it is the first to achieve Old Corrugated Container equivalency (OCC-E) certification and How2Recycle pre-qualification for its newest thermal paper label products.

This certification is a strong step forward in driving sustainability and recycling in the label and package printing industry. To learn more about how Avery Dennison is offering enhanced recyclability for the logistics, shipping, e-commerce, and retail industries, L&NW sits down with Brett Borovicka, Product Manager, Variable Information, Avery Dennison.

L&NW: What is OCC-E certification, and why is it important?

BB: OCC-E certification verifies that materials attached to corrugated containers – like pressure sensitive labels – meet the 2025 Voluntary Standard set by the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and the Fibre Box Association (FBA). The “E” stands for “equivalents.”

This certification is important because it acts as a trusted benchmark. It proves that a label or coating is fully compatible with existing recycling infrastructure and will not compromise the quality of recovered paper fibers.

L&NW: How does packaging impact the corrugated recycling process?

BB: When facilities recycle corrugated boxes, they break the cardboard down into a water-based pulp. If the boxes feature non-compatible labels or heavy coatings, those materials do not break apart properly. They enter the recycling stream as contaminants.

These contaminants lower the overall fiber yield and degrade the quality of the recycled pulp. By using certified, compatible packaging components, businesses ensure the entire box can be processed smoothly, keeping the recycling stream pure.

L&NW: What specific recycling challenges does this standard solve?

BB: The biggest challenge OCC-E addresses is the creation of “stickies.” Stickies are gummy deposits left behind by standard label adhesives during the repulping process.

These sticky deposits cause severe issues for recycling mills. They clog machinery, force costly production downtimes, and ruin batches of new paper. The OCC-E certification uses a strict two-part screening method. Part one tests if the material can break down in water, while part two ensures the adhesive leaves no stickies behind.

L&NW: Which industries benefit most from OCC-E certified labels?

BB: Any sector that relies heavily on corrugated boxes for shipping stands to gain from this standard. The logistics, shipping, e-commerce, and retail industries benefit the most.

These businesses process millions of packages daily. By switching to certified labels, they can hit their sustainability targets faster, while meeting consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging.

L&NW: How does Avery Dennison align with OCC-E standards?

BB: Avery Dennison leads the charge in sustainable labeling with the first constructions that pass both parts of the rigorous OCC-E certification. Specifically, the DT300LD PLUS / AT2550 and TT / S2550 label constructions are fully certified by Western Michigan University.

These direct thermal and thermal transfer labels integrate seamlessly into existing printing systems. They deliver high-contrast prints for flawless barcode scanning while maintaining recyclability. They have also earned a pre-qualification from How2Recycle®.

Samples of both materials are available now.

L&NW: How does OCC-E certification help logistics companies meet sustainability targets?

BB: For high-volume logistics companies, even small packaging improvements can make a meaningful difference at scale. OCC-E certified labels help support sustainability goals by ensuring corrugated boxes remain compatible with existing recycling systems, which helps reduce contamination, improve fiber recovery, and keep more material in circulation. For companies such as Amazon and UPS that ship millions of packages each day, using recyclable label constructions can support broader objectives around waste reduction, packaging circularity, and more responsible supply chain practices without disrupting current labeling and printing operations.

Request more information from Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials

Request more information from Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials

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