| Parents concerned about the costs of sending their | | | | Polyester labels are a more environmentally friendly |
| children to school are more and more looking to | | | | alternative to PVC labels. However, polyester labels |
| minimise lost property by labelling their children's | | | | lack the pliability of PVC labels. They will stick to flasks |
| belongings. There are many online companies that sell | | | | and bottles, but not on areas that have double curves, |
| a range of labels that can be used to identify all the | | | | such as necks of bottles and some baby bottles. They |
| belongings taken to school. The most widely used of | | | | also have trouble sticking to tight curves like pens and |
| the labels is a vinyl sticker label that can be used for | | | | pencils. They are a "green" solution, but they do not |
| almost anything, even items like lunch boxes and drink | | | | meet all the needs of today's kids. |
| bottles that are washed in the family dishwasher. | | | | Sticker labels made of a combination of polypropylene |
| Vinyl, also known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is an | | | | and polyethylene (PP/PE), result in a much "greener" |
| environmentally unfriendly chemical compound that is | | | | label. For example, these labels do not emit toxins |
| widely used in the construction industry. It is a tough | | | | when heated, so they can be used in microwaves. |
| material and can be produced relatively cheaply. | | | | This unique chemical compound also creates a highly |
| However, its toughness causes it to be somewhat | | | | flexible label, capable of conforming to double curves |
| inflexible. In order to make it more flexible, it is mixed | | | | and tight curves. |
| with chemical additives called phthalates. These give | | | | According to Greenpeace, polyester rates better for |
| the PVC a more "plastic", pliable quality. | | | | the environment than PVC but not as good as |
| However, the phthalates have been known to cause | | | | polyethylene or polypropylene. (PVC scores 1/5, and is |
| toxins to leak from the PVC and increase the risk of | | | | the worst. Polyester scores 3/5. Polyethylene & |
| cancer, asthma and allergies. They have also been | | | | polypropylene score 4/5. Bio-based plastics are the |
| linked to damage to the reproductive system, the liver | | | | best, scoring 5/5. However, there are currently no |
| and the kidneys. As a result, the EU banned the use of | | | | bio-based plastics that have all the characteristics that |
| various phthalates in children's toys in 1999 because of | | | | are needed for the labels.) |
| concerns that children could become ill if they put the | | | | In summary - |
| toys in their mouths. | | | | PVC labels come in bright colors. PP/PE labels only |
| PVC is also used in many other products, such as | | | | come in white. |
| cosmetics, medical products, shower curtains, car | | | | Both labels are equally flexible and use the same |
| interiors and some types of food packaging. However, | | | | adhesive. |
| several companies have started trying to eliminate | | | | PP/PE labels out perform PVC in terms of |
| PVC from their products. The 2000 Sydney Olympics | | | | temperature resistance, and there fore can be used |
| aimed to use no PVC in its materials, wherever | | | | on baby bottles that are cleaned in sterilizers. |
| possible. | | | | PP/PE labels are safer for the environment and |
| Other concerns about PVC include the release of | | | | human health. |
| dioxins during its production process. Also, dioxins can | | | | The vast majority of children's school label companies |
| be released into the atmosphere when PVC is | | | | today, still use the PVC labels, mainly because of |
| incinerated after use. Similarly, toxins can be released | | | | aesthetics and cost. Thanks to the internet consumers |
| into the soil if PVC is dumped into landfill. And its | | | | now have more choice available to them. Labels are |
| chemical constitution makes it very difficult (and | | | | small and light so in most cases postage is either free |
| expensive) to recycle PVC. In other words, PVC can | | | | or at a small cost and delivery times can be fairly quick |
| cause problems when it is produced, all through its | | | | to any where in the world. |
| lifetime and even when it is disposed of. | | | | |