At MeetGreen, we have been working diligently to find name badges that don’t require a plastic (vinyl) holder. As part of the “skip single-use plastic” movement, we are “over the holder.”
The name badge holders are made of PVC and our top three reasons for avoiding it are:
- PVC is the least recyclable plastic. (Green Peace, 2003)
- PVC manufacturing produces dioxin, a toxic chemical and potential carcinogen. According to the CDC, “the only level of dioxin exposure that should be considered acceptable from a public health perspective is zero.”
- PVC manufacturing uses plasticizers such as phthalates which are developmental and reproductive toxicants. (AWS)
The chart below shows the energy and emission savings associated with PVC holder production.
| Quantity | Weight (lbs) | Energy Use (kWh)* | Emissions (lbs CO2e)** |
|---|---|---|---|
| lbs/badge holder | kWh/lb. PVC | lbs CO2/lb PVC | |
| 0.08 | 15.2 | 5.5 | |
| 100 | 8 | 121.6 | 44 |
| 500 | 40 | 608 | 220 |
| 1000 | 80 | 1216 | 440 |
** Dartmouth College
The solutions found in the marketplace, including biodegradable plastic holders, still require energy/water and emit CO2e in production, and simply aren’t biodegradable within a reasonable amount of time. We have tested them all. So, going without, is the next step toward a sustainable name badge.
MeetGreen has found several options for name badges which will last up to a week of event activities without smearing, smudging, or rumpling. Ask us for more information on providing your attendees with a sustainable option.