There’s something I have wanted to talk about with you. Imagine all the fun activities you have done, like festivals, marathons, and conferences. You take pictures, enjoy, and in the end, take off the wristband. You throw it in the trash. You feel a sense of guilt for the wristband in the landfill, but how long until it biodegrades? A good number of event managers feel the guilt you feel, and the alternative is not difficult. Fabric wristbands are the answer to eco-friendly options that are stylish and functional.
Traditional wristbands are made of material that is not eco friendly. Wristbands made with Tyvek and silicone, a single use material, are designed to be worn for one or two days and then thrown away. There are millions of wristbands made like this and used at events. Most of these wristbands never get the chance to be used again, and end up in landfills or our oceans.
There is evidence that silicone wristbands can show how much plastic related chemicals a person comes in contact with in their everyday lives. This means that the materials used to make the wristband and plastic related chemicals could be harmful to you. And as strong as Tyvek is, it is still a single use item which means that it creates waste every time it is used. The sum of all these materials used in these wristbands and bands is a huge burden of the harm that is done and the waste that is created in the world. But, unlike a lot of the other things that we have to buy in our lives, changing to fabric wristbands is a step in the right direction and will not be a part of the problem anymore.
To answer the question about the difference of fabric wristbands, is it just that they are fancier or that they have a cool design or that they are marketed as better? No, not just that. Fabric wristbands are a lot different in materials. Fabric wristbands, unlike the other wristbands, are made of woven, and, more importantly, durable materials, and even materials made from chemicals that have been recycled and plastic. Unlike the classic plastic wristband, which is made of a material that is not durable and would crack or snap to be made, wristbands that are made of fabric are made of woven materials that have a lot greater elasticity and durability. This elasticity and durability means that fabric wristbands can be worn for the duration of a multi day festival, and that they can be rotated around throughout time to be used at different events.
Some wristbands are made with RPET, recycled polyethylene terephthalate. Wristbands that use RPET are made from recycled plastic bottles. Alternative materials include bamboo fabric that grows rapidly and does not need much water or pesticides, and organic cotton which is free from harmful chemicals. The options are vast, and every selection made demonstrates that your event values the health of the environment.
One feature of wristbands that is seldom discussed is that some of these products are made from plastic and are super uncomfortable. They are unbreathable, causing sweat to become trapped against the skin, which is especially problematic for people with sensitive skin as it can cause irritation or rashes.
Fabric wristbands offer much more comfort than their plastic counterparts. The material is a soft, breathable fabric that allows for air flow and circulation. A lot of fabric wristbands use an elastic material that is designed to not dig into your wrist. You can wear these bands for a really long time, including multi day events like music festivals and conferences, which is really important. People are more likely to wear a wristband that is comfortable, and every time they wear it, your brand is promoted.
Have you ever attempted to reuse a plastic wristband? It is near impossible. They rip and fall apart. Fabric wristbands are a different type of beast. Quality fabric wristbands are made to withstand a lot more wear and tear than you would expect. They resist fraying, fading, and pulling. Many of them are even waterproof so you do not ruin your band when washing your hands or getting caught in the rain.
Durability equals reusability. The environmental impact of wristbands per event is not great. The impact however, drastically improves when your wristband can be worn to multiple events over an extended period of time. Some festivals have even started offering discounts or perks for people who bring back their wristbands from the previous year. It is great for the planet, but also great for building loyalty and community around your event.
Now let us switch gears and talk about the marketing aspect, which is the biggest selling point for fabric wristbands. When you give a plastic wristband at an event, there is a good chance it goes in the trash in a week. Meaning the most you can hope for is a few days of brand visibility. In contrast, fabric wristbands are kept. They are worn multiple times to different events.
Every time people wear your branded fabric wristband, people see your brand at the grocery store, the gym, the coffee shop, and everywhere else they go. This ensures a lasting impression and brand visibility that could run for months, and even years. For the price of a wristband, the benefits are priceless. You can fully customize fabric wristbands to advertise your brand logo, event name, hashtags, and whatever else to get the word out. Because people love to wear them, your brand visibility goes even further after your event ends.
Even if the wristbands are brand new and eco friendly, they can still use eco damaging inks for printing custom logos. Chemical based inks in traditional inks release VOCs in the air and can poison the water used for the printing process, which is one of many printing process steps.
It is encouraging that multiple manufacturers of fabric wristbands now offer planet friendly printing. This uses water based inks which are non toxic and much safer for the environment. Some companies have even switched to dye sublimation printing, which prints the dye directly into the fabric, rather than onto the top. This means the design will not peel or fade, and the dyeing process is cleaner for the environment. You really cannot go wrong when opting for fabric wristbands with eco themed printing.
Let us get real. Switching to fabric wristbands is not going to single handedly solve the environmental crisis. But a little change here and a little change there really adds up. Choosing fabric wristbands for your event says that you care about Mother Earth. And you are signaling to your attendees, your patrons, and the community that you are ready to take the eco friendly route even when it involves a little extra work.
Beyond that, fabric wristbands are just nicer. They look better and feel better. Unlike the terrible, cheap, plastic wristbands, fabric wristbands are comfortable and stylish. So do the planet, your brand, and yourself a favor, and use fabric wristbands at your next event. You are going to enjoy it and so is everybody who wears one.
