Promotional Products from Recycled Plastic - Some Facts

David Platt • 26 June 2019

The world has enough plastic, and we want to help keep it that way.

recycled-plastic-promotional-products

Recycling plastics is at the forefront of the battle to prevent the current 8 million tonnes of plastic entering the Earth’s oceans per annum. Unless plastics are created with additives which can help in biodegrading, they will take around 500 years to breakdown. Putting additives into plastic is not a ‘silver bullet’ because it creates some issues with the other properties of the plastic which can render them unusable - more on that below.

Types of Plastic

In principle all plastics can be recycled however the chemical composition of the various plastics make some considerably easier than others. As consumers we are familiar with the recycled sign in most plastics as follows:

types-of-plastic

PET - polyethylene terephthalate

Water bottles, soft drink bottles, pots, tubs, over ready trays, jam jars.

HDPE - high density polyethylene

Chemical drums, Jerry cans, carboys, toys, picnic ware, household and kitchenware, cable insulation, carrier bags and food wrapping material.

PVC - polyvinyl chloride

Window frames, drainage pipe, water service pipe, medical devices, blood storage bags, cable and wire insulation, resilient flooring, roofing membranes, stationery, automotive interiors and seat coverings, fashion and footwear, packaging, cling film, credit cards, synthetic leather and other coated fabrics.


LDPE -low density polyethylene
Squeeze bottles, toys, carrier bags, high frequency insulation, chemical tank linings, heavy duty sacks, general packaging, gas and water pipes.

PP - polypropylene

Buckets, crates, toys, medical components, washing machine drums, bottle caps, and battery cases.

PS - polystyrene
 Toys and novelties, rigid packaging, refrigerator trays and boxes, cosmetic packs and costume jewellery.

Separation of Post Consumer Waste

Most plastic re-cyclers do not rely on the Code (shown above) now; they use various sorting systems to identify the resin, ranging from manual sorting and picking of plastic materials to mechanised automation processes that involve shredding, sieving, separation by rates of density i.e. air, liquid, and complex spectrophotometric distribution technologies. Some plastic products are also separated by colour before they are recycled.

The plastic recyclables are then shredded. These shredded fragments then undergo processes to eliminate impurities like paper labels. This material is melted and either extruded into the form of pellets (PP and LDPE) or spun to create fibre as in the case of PET which are then used to manufacture other products.

The products that are sold within the promotional products industry are either the rigid Frisbee or ice scraper type made from LDPE or the spun fibre of PET.

Recycling Methods

Currently, plastics being recycled by either one of the two ways:


  • Mechanical recycling – This involves mechanically treating the waste (e.g. grinding) to reduce it into smaller particles. The resulting granules, called re-cyclate, can be melted and re-moulded into different products, usually the same product from which it came.
  • Feedstock recycling – Chemical processes such as pyrolysis, hydrolysis and heating are used to convert the waste into its chemical components. The resulting products – sodium chloride, calcium chloride, hydrocarbon oil products and heavy metals to name a few – are used to produce feed for other manufacturing processes or as fuel for energy recovery.

Clearly for promotional products we are talking about mechanical recycling of the plastic back into similar products. This is fine for the HDPE, PP and indeed for spun PET but can be an issue for PVC. PVC products, depending on their application, contain different additives. For example, rigid PVC is unplasticised whereas flexible PVC is added plasticisers because this additive increases the plastic’s fluidity and thus, its flexibility. Even products used for the same application may still differ in composition if they have different manufacturers.

PET Recling

The main use for PET is for carbonated drinks bottles and one use for this recycled PET is to create fabrics.

The fabrics are created by spinning the PET flakes into thread and yarn. This is done just as easily as creating polyester from brand new PET. The recycled PET thread or yarn can be used either alone or together with other fibres to create a very wide variety of fabrics. Traditionally these fabrics are used to create strong, durable, rough products, such as jackets, coats, shoes, bags, hats, and accessories since they are usually too rough for direct skin contact and can cause irritation. However, recent developments in technology have improved these types of fabrics under environmental pressure.

There is now a range of polyester t-shirts made from recycled PET including product from Under Armour. Polyester has fantastic wicking properties which makes it ideal for high performance sportswear.

Some Key Recycling Statistics

It is common to see plastics as a story of doom and gloom – but in truth recycling is making real progress. In 2000 some 13,000 tonnes of plastic bottles were recycled – the rate in 2018 was 350,000 tonnes.

Other key statistics:


  • 74% of plastic drinks bottles are recycled.
  • 46% of all plastic packaging is recycled.
  • 31% of all plastic is recycled (this is a European figure).

Sources

Share this blog:

Ultimate Guide to finding an Eco Promotional Product

by David Platt • 27 July 2025
Searching for a branded gift or promotional product? Finding it hard to discover something new, something different? This post will give you a different way of finding what you are looking for by explaining how the industry works and why endless browsing may not be the right approach - or you can watch the video here 1. Understanding how the promotional products industry works a. Promotional Products Distributors The web sites you see on Google are numerous – indeed there are 2,873 distributors in the UK, each selling branded merchandise and each with a website. The web sites vary from the aesthetically pleasing to the overcrowded. BUT you will see the same products on many different web sites – why? b. Promotional Products Manufacturers The number of actual manufacturers is relatively small – a few hundred – each making a single product line, whether that be bags, notebooks, pens or clothing. But the vast majority of the manufacturers will only sell to the Trade – you will find it difficult to access them without the distributor. c. Merchandise Wholesalers In addition to the manufacturers, there an even smaller number of ‘wholesalers’. These Trade only suppliers will stock a huge range of products from many different sources and brand the product with your logo. They may also allow electronic feeds of their products to the distributor websites. d. Images of products So, as you search the myriad of websites presented by Google, you are looking at distributors with potentially the same product lines. ‘But they appear different’ – I hear you say. Yes, that is because each distributor, ourselves included, chooses what we believe to be the best promotional products for a particular price and quality, and the best images. Three problems We may have chosen the wrong products We may have chosen the wrong image The products constantly change so it is really tough to keep the website updated But, remember all the distributors buy from the same sources and virtually all could supply ANY of the products you see….. 2. I don’t know what I am looking for but will know it when I see it! This is true for 95% plus of everyone searching. You do however have some basic parameters: Rough cost per item Estimate of the quantity An understanding of who it’s for An understanding of your brand How the product will be used TIMING This last one is the ‘real kicker’ – you may find what you want but not be able to get it in time – in our experience this happens so often. 3. Alternative approach – a guide So, what is the alternative approach? Have the distributor do the work for you – for FREE We spend every day looking at products, attending industry exhibitions and meeting with manufacturers and wholesalers. We know what is available and when. We can help you clarify a brief and then present you with ideas. We can even quote on a product you have seen elsewhere. See us as your guide. OUR PROMISE – no pushy sales people – happy to chat by email or WhatsApp if you prefer.
Reversible Bucket Hat

The Top 5 Branded Merchandise items this Summer 2025

by David Platt • 24 June 2025
The top 5 most popular promotional merchandise for the Summer - let's look at what's hot!
Eco certification

Top 5 Certifications to Look for in Eco-Friendly Promotional Merchandise

21 April 2025
How can you tell which items genuinely meet environmental and ethical standards? How do you know your promotional merchandise is eco? One of the best ways is by looking for trusted third-party certifications. These certifications offer transparency, set rigorous criteria, and help ensure that your branded merchandise aligns with your sustainability values. Here's a quick guide to five of the most respected certifications to look out for when choosing eco-conscious products. 1. FSC – Forest Stewardship Council What it means: The FSC certification ensures that wood, paper, and other forest-based materials come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits. Why it matters: If you're sourcing promotional items made from wood or paper—like notebooks, packaging, or wooden gifts—FSC certification guarantees that the materials are sustainably harvested. Look for: Products marked with the FSC logo; and check the certificate number on the FSC Certificate Search. Visit FSC official site 2. GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard What it means: GOTS is a globally recognized certification for organic textiles. It ensures that fabrics like cotton are grown without harmful chemicals and processed in socially and environmentally responsible ways. Why it matters: Many promotional products, like tote bags, T-shirts, and towels, are textile-based. GOTS certification means these items are organic, safe, and ethically produced from farm to finish. Look for: A GOTS-certified label and supplier. You can verify through the GOTS Public Database. Visit GOTS official site What it means: Fairtrade certification supports better prices, decent working conditions, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in developing countries. Why it matters: Products like cotton bags, chocolate bars, or coffee mugs with Fairtrade-certified contents ensure ethical treatment of producers and sustainable farming practices. Look for: The blue and green Fairtrade logo on packaging or labels. Visit Fairtrade Foundation (UK) 4. OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 What it means: This certification verifies that textiles are tested for harmful substances and are safe for human use. Why it matters: Even "natural" fabrics can be treated with dyes or chemicals. OEKO-TEX® ensures that every component of the product—from threads to prints—is free from harmful levels of over 100 substances. Look for: The STANDARD 100 label and certification number for verification via the OEKO-TEX® Label Check. Visit OEKO-TEX® official site 5. Cradle to Cradle Certified® What it means: Cradle to Cradle certification assesses products for environmental and social performance across five categories: material health, circularity, clean air & climate protection, water & soil stewardship, and social fairness. Why it matters: This is especially valuable for innovative and multi-material products. It focuses on the entire lifecycle, not just sourcing or disposal. Look for: The Cradle to Cradle Certified® mark and specific level (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum). Visit Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute Why Certifications Matter for Your Brand Choosing certified eco-friendly promotional products isn’t just about ticking a box—it shows your customers, staff, and stakeholders that you care about ethical sourcing, sustainable production, and long-term environmental impact. These certifications offer peace of mind and add real value to your brand story. At Pavilion Earth, we’re proud to work with suppliers who prioritise sustainability and transparency. Want help finding the right certified products for your campaign? Get in touch with us — we’d love to help.
Show More