Not Every Label Needs to Survive the Apocalypse

Written By Rob Tossberg

Courtesy Lifeline Farm

Sustainable labeling for cheese and dairy makers who care what sticks around.

Let’s talk about labels. Not your brand, not your values — we know you’ve got those dialed in. We mean the physical things: the stickers stuck to your cheese rounds, milk bottles, yogurt tubs, egg cartons, and bulk bins.

Most of the time, these are made from plastic. Which is fine… if you're hoping they stick around forever.

But what about labeling that works — in wet, cold, and even frozen environments — without becoming part of the problem?

Plan It Green Printing offers labels made from plants, not petroleum. We’re here to help you:

  • Reduce unnecessary plastic

  • Communicate your sustainability values

  • Stay compliant with FDA labeling guidelines

  • Avoid labels that look eco-friendly but actually aren’t

Labels for Cold, Wet, and Real-World Conditions

We offer three types of labels that cover most cheese and dairy needs:

  • EarthFirstPLA film – looks and acts like plastic, but it’s made from corn stalks and Certified Industrial Compostable (with or without Certified Compostable adhesive). Water-resistant, oil-resistant, freezer-safe.
    They’re tough — but not that tough. That’s the point.

  • Recycled Paper Wet-Strength Labels – perfect for soft cheese rounds, glass bottles, or chilled display packaging that’s meant to look earthy and real.
    100% recycled from post-consumer waste paper (such as office paper that's been de-inked and recycled).

  • Dissolvable Labels – compostable (but not certified compostable), and ideal for returnable glass bottles, bins, and in-store labeling where residue is a no-go.
    Can be used in refrigeration and freezer conditions — but when submerged under a steady stream of water for 10–20 seconds, they dissolve completely with no sticky residue.

All of these can be custom-printed with your artwork, logo, and variable data (lot codes, best-by dates, batch numbers).

Labels Made from Plants, Not Forever Chemicals

Let’s be real — plastic labels do have their place. They're waterproof, scratch-resistant, and built to survive the apocalypse.
And yes, we print those for cheese and dairy companies too.

But here’s the thing: not everything you produce is meant to last forever. Should your soft cheese label outlive the cheese by 400 years?

That’s where our alternatives come in:

  • EarthFirstPLA film, a stock made from primarily corn-stalks grown in the Midwest and Certified Industrial Compostable with or without a compostable adhesive

  • Wet-strength 100% recycled pcw labels for packaging with shorter shelf life but a natural look with serious visual integrity

  • Even dissolvable labels that can be used in refrigeration and freezer, but when submerged under a steady stream of water for 10–20 seconds will dissolve with no sticky residue — perfect for returnables, farm stores, and bulk

They’re tough — but not that tough. And that’s the point.
Your brand message can be timeless, but your labels don’t have to be.

Rob Tossberg
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