Educate – Sort – Recycle

Release Liner

Learn how Gee Hoe Seng Pte Ltd (GHS) handles the responsible disposal of release liners, sticker backings, and adhesive labels in Singapore.

While many paper products can be recycled if they tear, release liners are an exception. These liners are specially coated with silicone or other agents that prevent adhesion — making them non-recyclable through standard paper recycling processes.

Various sticker backings and fragile label release liners placed for proper disposal in Singapore.

Educate – Sort – Recycle

Is it Recyclable?

No — release liners are not recyclable.

Release liners are made from low-grade paper or film coated with silicone, wax, or plastic, which prevents the paper fibers from being recovered during pulping.

Educate – Sort – Recycle

Why It Cannot Be Recycled

Release liners are designed to be smooth and non-stick so that stickers and labels peel off easily.

However, this same property makes them impossible to process in traditional paper recycling.

Here’s why recycling doesn’t work

  • The silicone coating repels water and prevents paper fibers from separating in the pulping process.
  • Adhesive residues from stickers contaminate recycling batches.
  • The mix of paper, plastic, and silicone requires specialized recycling facilities not available in Singapore.
Not Recyclable
  • Sticker and label backings
  • Self-adhesive label waste
  • Waxed or laminated release papers
  • Silicone-coated paper liners

Note: Even if your release liner looks like paper, the smooth, glossy surface indicates silicone coating — making it non-recyclable.

Additional Information
Release liners should be disposed of as general waste. Loads containing release liners or sticker waste may cause paper recycling batches to be downgraded.

How to Dispose Responsibly

  • Collect and dispose of release liners in general waste bins.

  • Do not mix or shred release liners with recyclable papers — they will contaminate the load.