Recycling in the Printing Industry: What’s Actually Possible?

As brands and print buyers get more serious about sustainability, printers need to offer clear, confident answers about what’s recyclable — and what isn’t. That means understanding your materials, your waste streams, and the hidden complexities of printed substrates.

Let’s break down what’s possible, what’s problematic, and how you can make better recycling choices in digital printing.

The Core Challenge: Mixed Materials

The biggest recycling obstacle in print? Composite materials.

Many popular print substrates combine different layers — for durability, printability, or finishing — which makes them harder (or impossible) to recycle without separating components. Common culprits include:

• PVC films laminated with PET or paper

• Adhesive-backed vinyls with silicone liners

• Foam boards with plastic skins

• Fabric graphics bonded to non-recyclable backings

In most cases, if you can’t easily separate the layers, the entire material ends up as general waste.

Substrates That Are Easier to Recycle

Despite the challenges, there’s a growing range of digitally printable substrates designed with recyclability in mind. These include:

• Polypropylene (PP) and Polyethylene (PE) films – Recyclable in many municipal streams

• PET films – Recyclable where facilities exist, especially when unlaminated

• Paper-based boards – Fully recyclable when free of plastic coatings or foam cores

• PVC-free banners and rigid sheets – Designed for single-material recovery

• Fabric substrates made from 100% polyester – Accepted in textile recycling when uncontaminated

Look for substrates that are mono-material and labeled with recycling guidance. Substrate Bank can help you identify these materials by type, certification, or end-of-life compatibility.

What About Printed Graphics — Can They Still Be Recycled?

In many cases, yes — depending on:

• The amount and type of ink coverage (UV-curable inks are less disruptive than solvent-based)

• Whether the material has been laminated, mounted, or bonded

• Local recycling capabilities — what’s accepted varies widely by region

Some PET and PP films can be recycled even with printed ink as long as they’re unlaminated. Water-based and latex inks also make recycling easier in certain systems.

When in doubt, ask suppliers for recyclability data sheets or LCA documentation.

What to Avoid If Recycling Is a Goal

• Lamination – Often ruins recyclability, unless both layers are the same material

• Self-adhesive substrates – Hard to recycle because of residual glue and liners

• Foam-centered boards – Unless specifically designed to be separated, most end up as landfill

• Multi-layer composites – Unless labeled for recovery, they’re usually non-recyclable

Instead, opt for substrates designed for mechanical recycling or mono-material construction.

Pro Tips for More Recyclable Print Projects

• Design with the end in mind — Avoid unnecessary laminates or adhesives

• Request recycling certifications (like RecyClass, FSC®, or DIN CERTCO)

• Educate your clients — Provide disposal or recycling instructions with each project

• Partner with local waste handlers — Understand what materials they actually accept

• Use Substrate Bank to compare materials by recyclability and sustainability claims

Conclusion: Printing Smarter Starts with Planning for Afterlife

Recycling in print isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer — but it is possible with the right materials, workflows, and planning.

By choosing digitally printable substrates that are recyclable, clearly labeled, and thoughtfully designed, printers can reduce waste, meet client sustainability goals, and support a more circular print economy.

Because being green isn’t just about how a project looks — it’s about where it ends up.