Eco-friendly Glitter and Metallic foil that won’t cost the earth!
To celebrate #EarthDay and distract ourselves from all things Covid – I’d like to distract you with information on glitter and foiling!
It’s no surprise that we are attracted to all things pretty and shiny.
You may have added a bit of sparkle to your make up to compliment that perfect outfit; or thought about adding a shimmer on the final touches of your wedding day.
Glitter was the fun and cool best friend that you had called when you wanted something extra. But you did not know then what you know now.
Countless recent research, articles and documentaries have shown that a large percentage of marine life caught in the ocean contains micro plastic particles, including glitter.
David Innes from an environmental group called 38 Degrees said,
"Glitter might look lovely but, because it's plastic, it sticks around long after the sparkle has gone - often in the stomachs of fish and birds."
The big question is, what are the options for eco-conscious couples opting for a greener wedding?
Within the last two decades, we have been fortunate to live in an era of accessible information on the World Wide Web. But sometimes information won’t come to us if we don’t seek it out. We have been moulded across the world to accept plastic in our every-day lives since the early 20th century, however we now understand more about plastic pollution and micro-plastics.
Standard glitter is made from etched aluminium bonded to polyethylene terephthalate - a form of micro-plastic that can find its way into the oceans. In simpler terms,
“glitter is typically made from layering reflective pigment onto sheets of plastic, which are then broken into pieces as tiny as 0.15 millimetres”, writes Amy-Laure Richards for Beauty of Fashion article on glitter.
You can find many alternatives and ‘biodegradable’ glitter products in the modern market, but the variety of options can be quite overwhelming. Some brands and companies take advantage of the sales opportunity and may advertise their products as “biodegradable” however it may not decompose in nature or be safe for the environment. You can read more about the difference between bio-glitter types in this article below:
https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/beauty/big-beautys-giant-glitter-problem-sustainability
Foiling is another issue.
Did you know that you can’t recycle Christmas wrapping paper that contains metallic foiling?
Some foiling procedures uses plastic components which makes it hard for recycling mills to separate paper from un-recyclable elements. Modern couples getting married are increasingly more conscious and choosing decor and stationery that will not harm the earth.
Saying no to glitter and foiling which includes plastic content is the first step in paving the way.
But what is life without a bit of sparkle? The best alternative to foiling is to use real metals such as gold, silver, copper and other natural elements. By using hand applied metals, you can add extra shine to make your stationery more special. Disposing these papers will also be less stressful- the natural metals will decompose back into the earth with 100% no plastic content.
Luna & Sol commits to this ethos. We offer hand applied metals to the finishing touches or print designs using 100% recycled organic paper with embedded silver & gold specks. Check out our newest collections that feature natural metals such as gold, silver and copper.
Great invitation design doesn’t have to be compromised or cost the earth.
Written by Cat Nguyen-Walker
Co-Founder at Luna & Sol