Key Takeaways
• Legislative Efforts: Canadian legislators, including Summerland, BC, Councillor Erin Trainer, are advocating for the replacement of vinyl produce stickers with compostable labels to improve composting programs and reduce pollution.
• Technological & Legislative Support: There’s existing technology for compostable alternatives, and the Canadian government has already invested significantly in composting initiatives, making the transition to compostable stickers a logical next step for environmental stewardship.
There’s a scene in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia where the character Charlie has a pear for the first time and, not knowing the typical way to do things, eats the core, stem and even the stickers.
He says, despite the fact that he “eats stickers all the time, dude,” the sticker was gross.
“Of course it’s gross; it’s a sticker!” the character Mac replies.
While most people aren’t making a habit of eating fruit, stickers and all, Canadian legislators are looking to do away with ubiquitous little stickers that we know so well from produce – at least in their current form.
The issue, according to officials like Summerland, BC, Councillor and Deputy Mayor Erin Trainer, is that the vinyl stickers contain toxic chemicals and can contaminate compost systems.
“It seems like such a small thing, but these little stickers create a huge problem for our composting systems, not to mention they’re microplastics,” Trainer told the Vancouver Sun. “The problem is, people don’t take the time to peel those stickers from produce, and it’s very difficult to screen those stickers. They basically gum up the system.”
Trainer and Summerland’s goal on both the provincial and national level is to swap out the current stickers in favor of compostable labels. Trainer reportedly pointed to the fact that the Canadian government has already spent $30 million on composting programs, so it’s a “no-brainer” to complete the work that’s already been started.
The war against microplastics has been waging for a while now, and legislation limiting items like single-use plastic bags has taken hold across the globe in an effort to fight pollution – not to mention the rise of laws banning the use of PFAS “forever” chemicals in products like packaging and apparel.
The Canadian government has already paid for more than half the cost of Summerland’s composting initiatives, and Trainer believes this is the next logical step for the province and country if it’s serious about both composting and environmental stewardship.
“If the governments are going to be funding these great programs, we need help to help us get rid of those stickers so these programs and facilities can be a success,” Trainer told the Vancouver Sun. “There’s so much technology that allows for compostable bags, so why can’t we make compostable stickers? There’re already solutions out there.”
It’s true that within the print space there are dedicated initiatives to create greener options. In 2022 researchers developed a new black ink made from algae instead of petroleum-based ink.
And if the demand for environmental options like tote bags and eco-friendly apparel is any indication, end-buyers would leap at the opportunity to provide their customers greener print options, too.
