What Happens to Conference Name Tags After the Event?

Most get binned. Ours leave no trace.

Small Choices, Big Impact

Every event leaves a footprint. The question is, how big? Traditional plastic conference name tags & lanyards seem small, but when multiplied by hundreds of guests, their impact stacks up — in landfill, in emissions & in the story your brand tells.

At Terra Tag, we’ve flipped the script. Our sustainable name tags & biodegradable lanyards return to the earth (literally — some grow wildflowers). That means your event can stand out without leaving a mess behind.

One Badge. One Holder. One Lanyard. What’s It Really Costing the Planet?

One plastic name badge set – badge, holder and synthetic lanyard – produces 0.12kg of CO₂ during production
An event using 600 plastic name badge sets generates approximately 72kg of CO₂ – equivalent to running a fridge for a year
484,000 Australian events per year could produce over 34,000 tonnes of CO₂ from plastic name badges alone

Small Switch. Big Impact.

Plastic badge sets might seem insignificant, but when you multiply their footprint across hundreds of guests & thousands of events, the impact is massive. We offer sustainable name badge alternatives that are compostable, recyclable & customisable without the plastic, prep, or guilt.

LET’S RETHINK WHAT HANGS AROUND YOUR GUESTS’ NECK

Note: CO₂ emissions calculated based on the production phase of plastic materials. End-of-life impacts, such as incineration or landfill degradation not included. Source: www.homeaffairs.gov.au

Real Events. Real Emissions Saved

Tourism Australia logo – used Terra Tag sustainable name badges to reduce event-related CO₂ emissions

600 badges

72kg CO₂ saved

Made from recycled street directories

Guests loved the plantable twist

That’s like running 1,000 loads of laundry

Bloomberg logo – chose eco-friendly name badges from Terra Tag to support corporate sustainability goals

500 badges

60kg CO₂ saved

Made from ‘Forget-Me-Not’ seed paper

Met sustainability goals

That’s like streaming 2,500 hours of video

Nando’s logo – used Terra Tag sustainable name badges to align event branding with environmental values

450 badges

54 kg CO₂ saved

Made from recycled paper in full-colour

Paired with red biodegradable lanyards

That’s like charging 6,750 smartphones

The Best Alternatives to Plastic Name Badges

  • Pros

    • Made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper

    • Recyclable, compostable, and Australian-made

    • Clear, crisp printing (especially for fine text)

    • More affordable than seed paper

    Cons

    • Not plantable like seed paper

    • Requires correct disposal (recycling or compost)

    End-of-Life Impact
    Can be recycled or composted – no landfill required

    Best For
    Events wanting a sustainable, budget-conscious option

    Verdict
    A smart, eco-friendly alternative that still looks sharp

  • Pros

    • Made from handmade, seed-infused paper

    • 100% biodegradable, compostable, or plantable

    • Guests can plant their badges post-event

    • No plastic sleeves or clips needed

    • Made locally in Queensland

    Cons

    • Slightly higher upfront cost, however probably evens out when considering all the part costs in a traditional event badge

    • More suited to bold, beautiful artwork due to handmade texture

    End-of-Life Impact
    Can be planted, composted, or recycled — truly zero waste

    Best For
    Events looking to align with strong sustainability goals & leave a positive legacy

    Verdict
    The most sustainable & memorable badge on the market

  • Pros

    • Durable & reusable across multiple events

    • Compostable if untreated

    • Visually premium – ideal for high-end events

    Cons

    • Requires harvesting new material

    • Not suited for single-use

    • Reuse depends on good collection practices

    End-of-Life Impact
    Compostable, but only if materials are natural & untreated

    Best For
    Brands seeking a reusable badge with a natural aesthetic

    Verdict
    Good for reuse, but not zero-waste or circular

  • Pros

    • Uses recycled plastic (often from water bottles)

    • Strong, familiar & reusable

    • Reduces need for virgin plastic

    Cons

    • Still plastic — not biodegradable

    • Microplastics may shed over time

    • Needs proper recycling infrastructure

    End-of-Life Impact
    Technically recyclable, but frequently landfilled

    Best For
    Organisations seeking a more “eco-conscious” plastic option

    Verdict
    A halfway step — more sustainable than virgin plastic, but still problematic

  • Pros

    • Made from plant-based materials like cornstarch

    • Looks & feels similar to plastic

    • Breaks down faster than conventional plastic

    Cons

    • Requires industrial composting to break down

    • Not suitable for home compost

    • Produces emissions in production

    End-of-Life Impact
    Only compostable under very specific conditions

    Best For
    Organisations with access to industrial composting facilities

    Verdict
    Better than plastic, but not truly waste-free

  • Pros

    • Water-resistant, tear-resistant & lightweight

    • Suitable for outdoor & multi-day events

    Cons

    • Made from synthetic HDPE (a type of plastic)

    • Difficult to recycle without specialist facilities

    • Often marketed as eco-friendly & is mistaken for a sustainable material

    End-of-Life Impact
    Often ends up in landfill despite recyclability claims

    Best For
    Events where durability is key, but waste may be overlooked

    Verdict
    Low waste in theory, high waste in practice

  • Need help deciding between seed paper and recycled paper badges?

    Seed Paper (Plantable)

    • 100% biodegradable & compostable

    • Plantable — grows into flowers, herbs, or natives

    • Beautiful texture with a handcrafted finish

    • No landfill or recycling required

    Recycled Paper (Sustainable)

    • Made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper

    • Fully recyclable & compostable

    • Ideal for WA, TAS, or venues with strict biosecurity

    Still not sure?
    Just tell us a bit about your event & we’ll recommend the best fit — sustainability is what we do best.

Ready to make your event greener?

We’ll help you customise the perfect name badge in minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sustainability & Materials

  • A: We use post-consumer recycled paper, handmade right here in our Sunshine Coast studio, paired with soft, biodegradable cotton cords. No plastic. No harsh chemicals. Just beautiful, planet-friendly materials that look polished, feel premium & tread lightly on the Earth.

  • A: Locally & lovingly—from our own Queensland-based team. We make our seed paper using waste paper that would otherwise end up in landfill, giving it a second life as wildflowers, herbs or native grasses. Homegrown sustainability at its finest.

  • A: We call it our rescue mission—because every badge we make saves something from the bin. It starts with us collecting waste paper from local printers, schools & businesses—offcuts & misprints that would normally head to landfill. We tear it by hand, blend it into pulp using upcycled equipment (yes, that’s a former café blender) & form new paper sheets from scratch in our Sunshine Coast studio.

    Every step is designed to tread lightly:

    • We use minimal water—just 20L per batch, often greywater

    • We skip all harsh chemicals—no bleach, no dyes, no toxins

    • We dry using solar power & sunshine (not electricity-hungry dryers)

    • We print using low-heat, water-based inks that are seed-safe and energy-efficient

    Even our tools are repurposed: old window screens become paper moulds & our drying racks are made from old timber offcuts. It’s not high-tech—but it’s high-heart. We believe sustainability should show up in the process, not just the product—& with Terra Tag, it does.

  • A: Good news: our cotton cords are 100% biodegradable. You can compost them, reuse them in your next DIY project, or pop them in general waste—either way, they’ll break down naturally. (Bonus points if you give them a second life as gift wrap ties or garden twine.)

  • A: We do—& we actually follow it (not just file it under “nice ideas”). Our eco policy guides every step of our process: from sourcing & printing, to packaging, shipping & waste reduction. You can read the full thing—but the short version? We walk the walk.

  • A: Each Terra Tag includes a QR code on the back that links to clear planting & recycling instructions—so guests know exactly what to do. Whether it’s sowing wildflowers or tossing the badge into the recycling bin, we’ve made it easy to close the loop.

  • A: Everything is packed by hand (with love) using 100% recycled, recyclable & plastic-free materials. Think honeycomb wrap instead of bubble wrap, eco paper tape instead of plastic & boxes we’ve given a second life. It’s low waste, high care, & always planet-forward.