Charlie Munger, the late vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, famously said, “Show me the incentive, and I will show you the outcome.” He understood that motivations are the best predictors of behavior. In the modern supply chain, those motivations often collide at the shipping dock.

  • The ESG/CSR Manager is incentivized by the big picture: meeting state mandates, hitting sustainability targets, and protecting the brand's reputation as a responsible corporate citizen.
  • The Warehouse Management Team is incentivized by throughput: speed, accuracy, and ensuring 100% damage-free shipments.

At United Ad Label, we believe operational success happens when these two incentives align. We help companies move away from the traditional “take-make-dispose" linear model toward a circular material lifecycle, without slowing down the line.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Incentive Gap – Successful supply chains align ESG goals (sustainability and compliance) with Warehouse KPIs (speed, accuracy, and printer uptime).
  • Recyclability Facts – Most paper-based shipping labels are fully recyclable within standard corrugated waste streams. However, polyethylene, plastic, and PVC labels can contaminate the recycling process and divert packages to landfills.
  • Certified Sourcing – Utilizing FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified labels provide documented proof for corporate governance and annual impact reports.
  • The Linerless Advantage – Transitioning to linerless labels supports a circular material lifecycle by eliminating 100% of liner waste, reducing fuel consumption through higher roll density, and improving warehouse safety.
  • Sustainable Materials, Standard Performance – Eco-friendly labels that include 100% recycled fiber and Post-Consumer Waste (PCW) options are engineered to meet warehouse operational standards and are compatible with leading thermal printers from Zebra, DYMO, Sato, and Honeywell.
  • EPR Compliance – Sustainable labeling simplifies reporting for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates, helping companies avoid non-compliance penalties while reducing Scope 3 emissions.

Moving from Linear to Circular: Why Shipping Labels Matter

Packaging often follows a linear path. Raw materials are taken, a product is made, and the waste is disposed of. A circular economy keeps materials in use for as long as possible.

The shipping label is a small but critical component of this cycle. If a label prevents a box from being recycled, that box exits the circular economy and enters a landfill. By choosing the right materials, you ensure the entire package remains part of a sustainable loop.

The Material Reality: Paper vs. Plastic

Not all labels are created equal. Understanding the differences helps both ESG and Warehouse Managers achieve their goals.

  • The Good News for Recyclability – Most standard shipping labels are paper-based. When applied to corrugated boxes, the entire package remains recyclable in typical collection streams.
  • The Recycling Risk – Problems arise with polyethylene, plastic, or PVC labels. These "contaminants" can result in an entire package being diverted to a landfill.
  • The UAL Standard – Our stock shipping labels are FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) certified. This gives the ESG Manager documented proof of responsible sourcing while giving the Warehouse Manager the high-speed performance they demand.

Sustainability Without the Slowdown

For organizations looking to move beyond "standard" shipping label stock, UAL offers custom solutions that bridge the gap between corporate mandates and warehouse reality.

UALs Custom Label Designer app allows you to design, price and order custom labels online.

High-Performance Recycled Materials

We leverage deep supplier relationships to procure recycled materials that won’t compromise your equipment. Unlike inferior recycled stocks that can cause label curling or adhesive ooze, our materials are engineered for printer health:

  • Direct Thermal Paper containing Post-Consumer Waste (PCW).
  • 100% Recycled Fiber thermal labels.
  • 15% PCW options.

The Linerless Advantage: The Ultimate Win-Win

The construction of the label roll itself can be a game-changer. Linerless labels represent a major shift toward a circular lifecycle by removing "dispose" entirely from the “take-make-dispose” equation:

  • Zero Landfill Waste – Traditional liners account for massive amounts of waste that are difficult to recycle. Linerless labels eliminate this waste stream at the point of application.
  • Logistics Efficiency – A linerless roll can hold 40–60% more labels than a standard roll. This means fewer shipments, less fuel consumption, and a measurable reduction in Scope 3 emissions.
  • Safety & Speed – No liners means no slippery floor hazards for the logistics team and fewer roll changes for the operators.

How Sustainable Labels Protect Your Brand

Sustainable labeling contributes directly to the three pillars of the ESG framework:

  • Environmental – Reducing waste through PCR content and recyclable materials directly lowers a company's environmental footprint and supports Zero Waste certifications.
  • The Brand Factor – The shipping label is often the first physical touchpoint a customer has with your brand. Transparent, sustainable labeling communicates a brand’s values to the end-user which have proven to influence purchasing decisions. 
  • Governance – Using certified materials (like FSC/SFI) demonstrates due diligence in the supply chain. It provides the documented proof required for annual impact reports and regulatory filings.

The Rising Stakes of ESG Compliance

As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws expand across the U.S., companies are now being held financially responsible for the lifecycle of their packaging.

Businesses are now required to report on exact material types and volumes. UAL’s documented, sustainably sourced materials simplify this reporting. By utilizing labels that support recyclability, you reduce the risk of non-compliance penalties and position your organization as an operational leader.

The UAL Value Proposition: A Balanced Approach

Whether you are reporting to a board of directors or managing a high-volume shipping floor, UAL is your operational partner. We provide the certified stock you need for immediate fulfillment and the custom expertise required for long-term ESG strategy.

Show us your incentives, and we will show you a labeling solution that meets them all! Contact us to learn more.