Are you melting yet? Your PVC isn’t…

This time of year always begs the question: Is it hot enough for you? It’s the time of year when most people start to daydream about the lower temperatures and beautiful scenery that Fall brings. For some, conscious choices are made every day to ensure this natural beauty is maintained. For others, these are things that are taken for granted.

There are many environmentally harmful products out there that will neither help our planet nor us in the long run. PVC, commonly known as vinyl, is one of those products. It is used nearly every day in many facets of daily life, but are we really aware how harmful this chemically producing plastic is?

Here are some major concerns:

PVC is not typically recycled or recyclable and it is not biodegradable. Chlorine production for PVC results in the release of more than 200,000 pounds of mercury into air, water and land each year.

In addition, various pollutants and toxic additives are used to produce PVC products.

Two of the main culprits are:

1. Dioxin
2. Phthalates

• Dioxin is a toxic chemical that is created and released during PVC production. Since PVC is expensive and difficult to recycle, it is typically burned or buried at end of life – this releases even more dioxin (and hydrochloric acid) into the air which can contaminate water and land and even contributes to acid rain. Dioxin can also negatively affect reproductive, immune, endocrine and neurological systems.
  

• Phthalates are additives used in PVC production that help soften and make it flexible for use in various applications. Over the years, phthalates have sparked concern from many due to the link between this dangerous additive and increased risk of cancer, kidney and liver damage as well as damage to reproductive health and development.

Remind me again why we use this product so much?

Not only does PVC use dangerous chemicals in production, it is also difficult to recycle (as mentioned above). Because of this, a large majority ends up in landfills where it does not easily decompose, releasing its toxic chemicals into the air for us to freely breathe in – yippee.

After everything we know about the harmful effects of PVC not only on the environment but also on ourselves, we really need to ask this question: Is PVC worth the risk? I understand for some of its uses it is the most effective option, but with all of the environmentally friendly options that are available (from binders to notebooks), why are we still using vinyl in so many aspects of our lives?

Take a stand. Go Vinyl Free.

Source: http://earth911.com/recycling/plastic/pvc/facts-about-pvc/

What They Think Review: No-Vinyl Binders

Low-Carb Binders have been reviewed again, this time by What They Think: Going Green Managing Editor, Peter Nowack. See what he had to say:

Read the full article.

Get more information about Low-Carb Binders.

How Serious Are You About Sustainability?

Traditional binders are made of multiple pieces of vinyl and PVC – some of the most environmentally harmful plastics. Sealed together with a heat press, the assembly of traditional binders makes recycling nearly impossible. As a result, most (if not all) vinyl binders end up in landfills.

Simply changing binder usage can have a significant impact on the environment.

Made of 98% recycled material, vinyl free and designed to be easily taken apart for recycling, the Low-Carb Binder immediately reduces your company’s carbon footprint. With prices comparable to vinyl binders, the Low-Carb Binder can help your company reach its sustainability goals with no investment or added cost.  

Take the first step. Go Vinyl Free.

Where does your vinyl go?

Binders are used every day by businesses of all sizes. They typically are used until they begin to fall apart at which point they are no longer useful. When the vinyl cracks or rips or the rings lose strength, it’s time to replace your binder – so what do you do with the old one? Most likely you toss it in your office wastebasket, not thinking about the ramifications of that action. When vinyl binders are thrown into a regular wastebasket, they will end up in a landfill. Since PVC is known to be one of the “worst” plastics for the environment and is not biodegradable, those vinyl binders will sit in that landfill, causing environmental damage for years to come.

Of course there is the alternative to recycle your vinyl binder, but have you ever tried? It would include a laborious process of ripping vinyl off three (yes, three) separate pieces of cardboard, and attempting to remove metal rings which were riveted with a machine (i.e. not intended for removal). And then the question arises of what to do with the vinyl once you’ve removed it. Who has the time, energy or patience to do that?

Vinyl binders are harmful to the environment and difficult to recycle and until now they were the only option for looseleaf paperwork or presentations.

Enter the Low-Carb Binder™.

The Low-Carb Binder is an innovative product that simplifies not only the production process of binders, but perhaps more importantly, the recycling process. Made of 100% recycled chipboard and recyclable metal rings that can be attached upon receipt, the Low-Carb Binder changes the face of binders forever. They ship flat, are designed for easy disposal and can be customized to fit any brand with unique (and eco-friendly) spine wraps and labels. And you’re not sacrificing quality – Low-Carb Binders are just as durable as those harmful vinyl binders you’re currently using. See for yourself. Order a sample.

Reduce your carbon footprint. Go Low-Carb today.