RECYCLING PROGRAMME

At Ikast Etiket, we want to help reduce resource consumption and keep sustainability on the agenda. We already offer our customers eco-friendly products, but we’d like to help you go a step further by ensuring used or surplus wristbands are recycled or disposed of correctly.

RECYCLING TEXTILE WRISTBANDS
When the festival ends and the wristbands come off, the story doesn’t have to end. In fact, this is where we can make a difference together. Many materials can be recycled — but only if they are sorted correctly. The better they are separated, the greater the chance the materials can be given a new life.

HOW TO DO IT

• Disassemble the wristband: Remove the closure and sort each part by material (e.g. fabric, plastic, metal). We’re happy to receive old closures — they can easily be reused.
• Keep materials separate: Avoid mixing materials — this improves the recycling potential.
• Consider volume: If you have a large quantity, it may make sense to return it to us so we can forward textiles for recycling. Often, however, it’s just as sustainable to sort and handle textile waste locally.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
When sorted correctly, wristbands can be sent on and, for example, shredded into fibres for new products. Much depends on material type, volume and local infrastructure — which is why local sorting often makes the most sense.

UPCYCLING – A CREATIVE OPTION
Another route is to reuse wristbands locally. A festival might upcycle old bands through social projects, turning materials into new merchandise such as:

• Back-neck tape on a sweatshirt
• Keyrings
• Tote bags
• Bags or wallets

This way, the wristband gets a new life and becomes part of the festival’s story again — while creating local value.

DISPOSING OF USED WRISTBANDS PROPERLY
If you’d prefer to dispose of the used wristbands yourself and avoid additional transport, follow these simple steps:

• Collect wristbands at the exit when customers leave the event. Have scissors ready so removal from the wrist is easy.
• Separate closures and wristbands immediately so plastic/metal is sorted from textiles.
• Make sure both wristbands and closures are delivered correctly for recycling at your local recycling centre.

HOW WE ALSO WORK TO REDUCE RESOURCE USE

• Paper wristbands with print errors aren’t simply discarded. They are later sold as misprints — ideal for customers who need very low-cost access control.
• When we produce name labels, any surplus materials are sent for recycling.
• We offer a wide range of eco-friendly products, such as bamboo textiles, cork items, rPET wristbands and rPET lanyards (made from recycled plastic).
• We offer customers the option to ship their orders by sea rather than by air. This option is cheaper — but it does mean placing your order a little earlier.
• Instead of printed boxes, we will use neutral recycled boxes going forward, making it easier for customers to reuse our packaging.
• We strive to keep production as close to consumption as possible, and today we print many of our wristbands in Ikast.

Would you like to make sure your wristbands are recycled properly? Send us an email at info@labelyourself.co.uk or have a chat with our sales team when you place your order.