When you’re planning an exhibition, conference or corporate event, there’s a lot to think about.
Choosing the right venue. Designing your stand. Ordering branded merchandise. Creating a memorable experience for visitors.
But have you ever thought about what happens to your lanyards once the exhibition or conference is over?
Thousands of lanyards are used at exhibitions, conferences and events across the UK every year. While some delegates keep them, many are simply thrown away once the event has finished.
The good news is that there’s now a more sustainable way to deal with them.
A closed-loop recycling scheme is now available for eligible polyester and rPET lanyards, giving event organisers another practical way to reduce event waste while continuing to use one of the most popular exhibition essentials.
What is closed-loop lanyard recycling?
In a traditional product lifecycle, a lanyard is manufactured, used at an event and then thrown away.
A closed-loop lifecycle is different. Instead of becoming waste at the end of its life, eligible lanyards are collected so their materials can be recovered, reused and recycled into new products, keeping valuable resources in use for longer.
Rather than following a straight line from manufacture to disposal, the materials remain in circulation, reducing waste and the need for new raw materials.
It’s a simple idea, but one that could make a meaningful difference for organisations looking to make their exhibitions and conferences more sustainable.
Example of an eligible rPET lanyard that can be used with the closed-loop recycling scheme.
How does the recycling process work?
The process is straightforward.
1. Choose an eligible lanyard
The recycling scheme currently applies to eligible polyester and rPET lanyards supplied through participating manufacturers.
Not all lanyards qualify, so if you’re planning an exhibition or conference, we’ll be happy to recommend products that are compatible with the scheme.
2. Collect the lanyards after the event
Rather than being thrown away, used lanyards are collected once the event has finished.
For larger exhibitions and conferences, optional branded recycling bins are available at an additional cost. They can be personalised with your event branding, encourage delegates to return their lanyards before leaving and can be reused at future events.
3. Separate the components
Once returned, the lanyards are dismantled into their individual parts, including:
- Polyester fabric
- Metal clips
- Plastic safety breaks
4. Reuse what can be reused
Where possible, the metal clips and plastic safety breaks are reused in future lanyard production, reducing the need for new components.
5. Recycle the polyester
The polyester fabric is processed into recycled pellets, which are then used to manufacture new products.
Rather than becoming waste after a single event, the material is given a second life.
Why should event organisers consider it?
Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important part of planning exhibitions and conferences.
Many organisations are looking for practical ways to make their exhibitions and conferences more sustainable, without compromising the visitor experience.
Closed-loop lanyard recycling is another option to consider.
If you’re already ordering branded lanyards, choosing an eligible product means you’ll also have the option to recycle it once the event is over. It’s a simple change that could make a real difference, particularly for larger events where hundreds or even thousands of lanyards are used.
The scheme also includes selected premium styles, including our 3D branded logo lanyard, giving you even more options without compromising on sustainability.
Looking for sustainable exhibition merchandise?
Closed-loop recycling is just one example of how the promotional merchandise industry is continuing to evolve.
Alongside eligible recyclable lanyards, we can also help with a wide range of eco-friendly exhibition merchandise, including recycled notebooks, reusable drinkware, tote bags and other promotional products designed to be used again and again.
Browse our Eco Exhibition Merchandise range, or get in touch if you’d like advice on choosing eligible lanyards or other sustainable products for your next event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can lanyards be reused instead?
Recycling isn’t always the first answer.
If your lanyards are still in good condition and aren’t event-specific, reusing them at future events is the most sustainable option. Extending the life of any promotional product helps reduce waste and makes better use of the resources that went into producing it.
Where lanyards are no longer suitable for reuse, a closed-loop recycling scheme offers another responsible option, helping to keep valuable materials in circulation rather than sending them to landfill.
Are all event lanyards recyclable?
No. The recycling scheme currently applies to eligible polyester and rPET lanyards supplied through participating manufacturers.
If you’re unsure which lanyards qualify, just get in touch. We’ll be happy to recommend the most suitable options for your event.
How are the lanyards recycled?
Once returned, the lanyards are separated into their individual components. Metal clips and plastic safety breaks are reused where possible, while the polyester material is processed into recycled pellets that can be used to manufacture new products.
Do I need collection bins?
You don’t always need collection bins. For larger exhibitions and conferences, optional branded recycling bins are available at an additional cost to encourage delegates to return their lanyards before leaving the event.
Why isn’t every lanyard included in the recycling scheme?
The scheme currently applies to certain polyester and rPET lanyards supplied through participating manufacturers. As more sustainable initiatives become available across the promotional merchandise industry, we hope to see similar schemes introduced for a wider range of products.
Can Steel City help us choose eligible lanyards?
Yes. If you’re planning an exhibition, conference or corporate event, we can recommend lanyards that are compatible with the recycling scheme, alongside other sustainable exhibition merchandise.
Another example of an eligible lanyard available with the recycling scheme.
A Small Change That Could Make a Big Difference
At Steel City Marketing, we’re proud to support the BPMA StepForward Pledge, which encourages practical action to improve sustainability across the promotional merchandise industry.
Closed-loop lanyard recycling is a great example of how small changes can have a positive impact. It allows businesses to continue using practical, branded event essentials while giving eligible polyester and rPET lanyards a more sustainable end-of-life solution.
We’ll continue sharing practical ideas and industry developments like this to help you make informed decisions and get the very best from your promotional merchandise.
Planning an exhibition? Alongside our Eco Exhibition Merchandise range, you might also find our Event Planning Checklist useful.
