The Fluid Blog

How to recycle your old lanyards

Written by Natasha Ithildin | Jun 3, 2025 11:30:01 AM

I don’t know about you, but my junk drawer at home is full of old lanyards.

Big ones, thin ones, and elaborately branded ones. They were all useful at one time or another, but now, now they’re just annoying. 

Wouldn’t it be good if you could buy lanyards more sustainably so that they don’t end up in a landfill?

Well, now you can! 

Welcome to the first-ever closed-loop lanyard recycling program in the UK promotional merchandise industry. Exciting, right? Keep reading to find out how to take part and how you, too, can empty out that junk drawer. 

Interested in exploring more of our promotional Products with a Positive Impact range? From recyclable lanyards, chocolate that’s fighting slavery, to water bottles removing plastic from our oceans - we work with some truly incredible brands! You can check out these social enterprises, fellow B Corps, and truly sustainable ranges below.

What’s closed-loop recycling? 

Closed-loop recycling is when a product can be recycled multiple times, with the raw materials being kept within a ‘loop’ of recycling.

Take a plastic bottle, for example. You buy it, drink it, and recycle it. When it’s recycled, the bottle is broken down into its raw components. These can then be made into something new, such as a lovely rPET lanyard. You brand it, you wear it, you no longer need it. This lanyard can then be recycled again (with us) and made into something new (again!). 

In essence, that is closed-loop recycling. 

No waste. No mess. No stress. 

Read more: It’s rubbish: introducing Gomi

Is everything recycled in your closed-loop recycling program? 

Not everything is recycled when you send in your lanyards and wristbands to us, but everything will either be reused or recycled. 

In our closed-loop recycling program: 

  • The polyester fabric of the lanyards is broken down into raw material pellets that can then be used to make new items, using only 10% of the energy needed to make a virgin polyester product - yippee!
  • The clips and fasteners of the lanyards are removed and reused on other lanyards. 

Why lanyards and wristbands? 

Our new closed-loop recycling program is specifically tailored around lanyards and wristbands because: 

  • These are the items that are typically single-use at events 
  • They’re made from polyester, which can easily be broken down into its raw materials. 

We noticed a lot of lanyards and wristbands were going to waste after great events, and we wanted to change that! 

How do I ensure my lanyards are suitable? 

Your merchandise consultant will ensure they specify a product that’s suitable for recycling. 

What will they be turned into? 

Your old lanyards and wristbands will likely find new life as keyrings and similar items. It’s just their destiny to keep promoting your brand! 

Read more: Upcycling & repurposing: How to give new life to old merchandise

Why is our closed-loop recycling program a good thing? 

Makes your event more sustainable 

You’ll no longer have lanyards and wristbands that are single-use. You’ll have a way to turn these into something great again that can be used for another event - yay! 

Minimises waste 

You’ll no longer have wasted lanyards cluttering your (or your client’s) junk drawer. Your old merch can be reinvented into something new and exciting, not wasting away in a landfill. 

Future-proof your events 

You won't have old branding, event logos and dates just floating around in the wild anymore. Everything will be kept succinct, on your radar, and always on-brand. 

It’s a great story 

What better way to advertise your sustainability credentials and share a great story for others to get on board with? 

Read more: 5 Sustainability trends your business needs to adopt in 2025

How to take part 

Send us your lanyards!

It's very easy to get involved - all you have to do is return the clean used polyester lanyards and wristbands to the address below for reprocessing: 

Closed Loop Lanyard Recycling c/o

Unit 4 Ashmount Industrial Centre
Castle Park
Flint
Flintshire
CH6 5XA

Recycling bins for larger events 

Want to get ahead of the game and have recycling bins at your events? 

We can do this, too! 

Perfect for positioning at the exit of your event, we’ve designed a template for card recycling bins (that can be completely personalised to your brand) for use at larger shows and events. 

These are reusable and a great way to gather up all your old lanyards and wristbands in one place for recycling. 

Just get in touch with your merch consultant if you’re interested! 

No food and drink

Unfortunately, we cannot accept products that have been mixed in with general waste and food/drink, etc. - it messes with our recycling process! 

Recycle your old lanyards today

Branded lanyards are the OG of event merch. Perfect for repping your brand and credentials alike, they’re a must-have for your brand event kits. 

And now we’ve got the perfect solution for when your event’s over: closed-loop lanyard and wristband recycling. 

Get back control of your junk drawer, one old lanyard at a time.

Interested in exploring more of our promotional Products with a Positive Impact range? From recyclable lanyards, chocolate that’s fighting slavery, to water bottles removing plastic from our oceans - we work with some truly incredible brands! You can check out these social enterprises, fellow B Corps, and truly sustainable ranges below.