Launceston, Cornwall-based KCS has been manufacturing these products since 1999 and supplies them, through the trade, to large scale users in the UK and Europe.

Managing director Zoe Deadman said there had been “many years of grey” surrounding the recyclability of the labels, which are widely used in e-commerce returns, logistics and pathology departments, due to the use of a siliconised backing paper as release liner.

She added the recent European certification gives users “100% clarity” that the paper-based products are wholly recyclable and fit for entering the paper waste recycling system.

“We have been working with our supplier for several months to get this certification in place. This official declaration now allows us to really shout about it,” Deadman told Printweek.

“Environmentally conscious companies can be completely reassured that providing their customers with pre-printed integrated labels as a packing note with returns labels is a win/win solution that offers excellent customer service and protects the environment.”