Avery Dennison Unveils First RFID Label Recognized by APR

Published: July 3, 2025

Avery Dennison has developed an RFID label that received a Design for Recyclability (DfR) recognition from Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), the first RFID label validating its compatibility with North America’s PET recycling stream.

Avery Dennison has combined its proprietary CleanFlake adhesive technology, materials science capabilities and expertise in RFID to develop the proprietary label that cleanly separates from the PET in the mechanical recycling stream, reducing contamination.

This allows brands adopting this RFID technology to ensure compatibility for the recycling of their PET packaged items. With 96% of the top 50 brands committed to recyclability and waste management targets, this technology offers a solution towards achieving those goals.

Advance is Sustainability 

Pascale Wautelet, vice president, global R&D and sustainability, Avery Dennison Materials Group, noted that RFID technology is essential for the effective and sustainable management of modern supply chains, supporting brands with greater inventory visibility, product traceability and loss prevention.

“APR’s recognition marks a pivotal step forward in advancing circular packaging and supporting the global transition to sustainable material use,” said Wautelet in a statement. “As consumer goods companies set increasingly ambitious recycling targets, Avery Dennison remains committed to helping our customers reduce waste by investing in innovation and designing products that can be effectively recycled.”

Benefit of RFID in Packaging

Widely used in packaging across industries, PET is commonly found in bottles, food containers, cosmetics and other household products, making its recyclability critical to reducing plastic waste at scale. The use of recycling-compatible labels and adhesives can significantly reduce contamination, improving material recovery rates and overall recycling efficiency.

The proprietary RFID label has the potential to streamline the plastic recycling process by uniquely identifying each item, increasing the quality of materials recovered and extending PET life use, according to AD officials.

“Ensuring packaging is compatible with the recycling infrastructure is critical,” said Steve Alexander, president and CEO of APR. “By increasing the recyclability of packaging, brands can not only reduce waste and meet their sustainability targets but also contribute to a more circular economy. Innovation and technology play an essential role in driving these efforts, enabling smarter packaging solutions that align with both environmental goals and evolving industry standards.”

AD officials said they plan to make the APR-recognized technology widely available later this year to help brands meet recyclability targets and is working with independent certifiers to expand PET recycling certification across global markets.