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The environment and rapidly increasing climate change has been well documented recently, as the earth warms and we move closer to a cataclysmic event. With a green agenda pushing us towards a more sustainable future, it is only right that we as individuals do everything we can to create a more environmentally friendly future for the next generation.
Although we may recycle, take public transport to work, reduce our water usage and plastic packaging, there are always things we can do to help, through all aspects of our life.
Lanyards may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of helping the environment, but there are ways the industry is improving on their greener credentials. For those lanyard companies that manufacture their lanyards abroad, they have a minimum order rate for purchases, not just because of the viable cost, but because this also helps reduce the carbon emission cost from the shipping.
Many lanyard companies, such as Only Lanyards, now offer eco-friendly materials. This introduction has been a welcome addition to the industry and improves sustainability moving forward. So what are your environmentally friendly lanyard options?
Recycled PET
Polyethylene terephthalate or PET as it more commonly known as, is a highly recyclable plastic resin and a form of polyester. This is because it is a polymer created by the combination of two monomers: modified ethylene glycol and purified terephthalic acid. Although that won’t mean much unless you are scientifically minded, it is useful to know because we all handle PET on a regular basis. It is used for a variety of household products and containers such as bottles, jars, and cosmetics. This is due to PET being lightweight, yet sturdy with good thermal-stability. The fact that it is both recyclable and inexpensive has made PET an ideal solution for packaging across a broad range of industries.
Because PET is a recyclable material, once it has been reused and is no longer in its original state, it then becomes known as recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or RPET. It is also the most widely recycled plastic in the world. Although to properly utilise the sustainability and environmental benefits of PET, populations and businesses need to be recycling as much as possible. Europe has a PET recyclable rate of 52% but that is still only just over half, so if you purchase lanyards made from PET, remember to recycle any unused ones!
PET can be recycled repeatedly by washing and remelting for use in new products, this includes clothing fabric, carpets, upholstery and of course, lanyards. And because any PET that is unsuitable for recycling due to contamination, or that cannot be thoroughly cleaned, can be safely and efficiently burned as an energy source, (also known as thermal recycling,) it makes it an excellent eco-friendly choice of material for individuals and businesses looking for a greener option when purchasing their personalised lanyards.
When lanyards are made from recycled PET, it has a similar look and feel to lanyards made from flat polyester, so there really isn’t a noticeable difference to traditional printed polyester lanyards. It comes in at slightly more expensive than the flat polyester lanyards, around a pound more per 50 units, but a small price to pay for the eco-friendly and positive impact on your brand and environment.
Bamboo Fibre
Bamboo fabric has often been touted as the most eco-friendly fabric in the world. This is mostly because Bamboo, which is a type of tropical grass, has an extensive rooting system that grows on average four to six new shoots a year, so can quickly replenish any loss and as with any plant, provide usable oxygen in the battle against growing carbon dioxide levels.
To make Bamboo fabric, an enzyme is used on crushed bamboo grass and pulped to create fibres. These fibres are then washed, spun into yarn, or dyed ready to be turned into fabric. There are a surprising number of benefits to Bamboo fabric, for example, the cross-section of bamboo fibre is covered with tiny gaps, making the fabric extremely breathable. It is also easy to weave this fabric into textiles that have high thread counts, and although it is thinner, it is quite strong and has more stretch than cotton so is often used for items where cotton would normally be used.
However, recently there has been discussion over whether bamboo is truly environmentally friendly. It is certainly sustainable and can be cultivated remarkably easily, but the chemical process involved in turning bamboo into fabric means we may have to look further at finding long term eco solutions for our lanyards.
Environmentally friendly lanyards from Only Lanyards
With climate change and the environment high on the agenda for many, businesses may be looking at reducing their energy usage and carbon footprint in an effort to take some corporate responsibility. Not only does this resonate positively with consumers, but every forward step taken by businesses improves our future on this earth. As such, businesses may be put off by what they see as non-necessities. Therefore, here at Only lanyards, we are committed to offering alternative, greener options for our lanyards. We provide eco-friendly lanyards, made from Recycled PET or bamboo fibre.
By providing a recycled plastic or plant based renewable material lanyard option, we have the ideal environmentally responsible solution for marketing and promotions whilst staying true to your greener commitments.
Our eco-friendly lanyards are still fully customisable for your branding or requirements, just friendlier to the environment. We can pantone match the colours and your lanyards are printed in exactly the same way as other screen printed lanyards.
So, if you are thinking of ordering some eco-friendly lanyards and have any further questions about the environmental impact, longevity, or price, or even if you have a specific timescale, then contact us at Only Lanyards today and we can help you find the right solution for your needs.
If you are interested in purchasing environmentally friendly lanyards for yourself, or for your business or organisation, then we would love to hear from you. Even if you are unsure of what it is you would need, we can guide you through the process. Feel free to contact us directly by phone on 0333 271 0660 or by email at hello@onlylanyards.com.