Sustainable and Responsible Cable Ties
EEverything we do at FibreStrap aims to reduce our impact on the planet. Plastic cable ties are made to last for hundreds of years, yet most are used only once. FibreStrap offers a fibre-based alternative, produced in Sweden with fossil-free energy.
Change is good.
FibreStrap zip ties will make a change
By choosing FibreStrap instead of conventional plastic cable ties, you reduce the amount of fossil plastic your organisation puts into circulation. The FibreStrap cord is made of paper, which reduces the risk of long-lasting plastic litter in nature and the oceans. Replacing plastic zip ties with FibreStrap brings substantial sustainability benefits without compromising quality or endurance.
Compared with a conventional 200 mm Polyamide (nylon 6/6) cable tie, FibreStrap has more than 85% lower climate impact and more than 80% lower water use, according to a third-party life-cycle assessment. A minimum of 85% of the material comes from renewable sources.
Lower environmental impact with a responsible cable tie
FibreStrap is designed to use as many plant-based materials as possible and to minimise the environmental footprint throughout the product life cycle, including materials, manufacturing, supply chain, waste and material use. FibreStrap cable ties are produced locally in Sweden, under union-regulated working conditions and with fossil-free energy.
The sustainability benefits include
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More than 85% lower climate impact*
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More than 80% lower water use*
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A minimum of 85% of the material from renewable sources
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Material reduction: lengths can be customised, so you only use the material you need. FibreStrap's flexible cord also allows stitching, which can mean fewer ties per application than with plastic zip ties.
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Reduced use of fossil plastic
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Product packaging without plastic bags, and the option to use hanger cards instead of boxes for in-store display
*Compared with a conventional 200 mm (8 inch) Polyamide (nylon 6/6) cable tie, based on a third-party life-cycle assessment.
Second life with reusable cable ties
If not too short when mounted together with a product, FibreStrap can be reused by the end-user – your customer. They can use it for binding e.g. bushes, small trees, cables and other objects at home. FibreStrap is designed to have a second life with the same purpose as in the first life – to gather and bind products.
The recyclability of a paper cable tie
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End-user recycling: The finished FibreStrap FS-A cable tie, including its locking head, is certified as technically recyclable in conventional paper recycling mills (PTS, 4evergreen protocol). Where local sorting rules allow, it can be recycled together with fibre-based packaging. In the recycling process, the paper cord is recovered as fibre, while the locking head is separated out.
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Factory recycling: When a product is fastened, the operator cuts off the end piece of the cable tie. With FibreStrap, this piece is paper cord and can go straight into paper recycling at the factory.
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Production recycling: all bio-composite residues are reground and reused in production, and all paper waste goes to paper recycling.
End-of-life options
FibreStrap is designed for temporary use. The paper cord breaks down considerably faster than a nylon cable tie. The bio-composite in the lock is designed for industrial composting and does not fully break down in nature, so a used FibreStrap should always be recycled.
Compostability
The bio-composite material in the lock meets the requirements of EN 13432:2000 for industrial composting. The finished FibreStrap is not yet certified as compostable, and industrial composting of bio-based packaging is not available in many countries. Recycling is therefore the recommended end of life.
Cable ties made with paper from Nordic forests
The FibreStrap cord is made from kraft paper produced from Nordic wood fibres in integrated mills.
EVLR International AB, the company behind FibreStrap, is FSC® Chain of Custody certified (FSC-C201516). This means our handling of FSC®-certified material is independently audited, from purchase to sale. Ask us about FSC®-certified FibreStrap.
The strong FibreStrap zip tie cord
The FibreStrap cord is made from 99.9% kraft paper from Nordic wood fibres. To prevent abrasion, the cord is treated with a small amount of polyethylene wax (0.1%).
The reliable FibreStrap zip tie lock
The lock is made from a bio-composite of 50% polylactic acid (PLA), 20% hemp fibre and 30% polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT*), together with a small metal clip.
The PLA is 100% bio-based and made from sugar cane grown in Thailand that meets the Bonsucro Code of Conduct. The hemp is grown in the EU and certified according to ISCC PLUS. The bio-composite meets the requirements of EN 13432 for industrial composting and is REACH compliant.
*PBAT is a polyester commonly used in, for example, compostable bags and food packaging. Under suitable conditions, it biodegrades through hydrolysis and biological activity in soil and compost environments.
Cable Ties Made With Sustainable methods
At FibreStrap, we are not only supporting our customers in their transition to sustainable materials and solutions, but we are also making sure that we, as a company, are doing everything we can to ensure sustainability throughout the whole process.
FibreStrap cable ties are designed with the intent to utilise as many plant-based materials as possible and minimize the environmental footprint in the product's life cycle. This includes materials, manufacturing, supply chain, waste, and material usage. Sustainability is the core of everything we do here at FibreStrap.
Transporting our zip ties in a sustainable fashion
Transportation is a challenge. We try to push out air and optimize our transports as much as possible – from packaging to pallets. We carefully consider the type of packaging materials we use. For smaller shipments, we are using Green Choice alternatives if possible. For bulk, we pay extra for “green transportation”.
Cable ties produced with fossil-free energy
In the production of FibreStrap cable ties, we only use fossil-free energy. We take our share of responsibility for countering climate change seriously. The world has to move on from harmful fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas.
Cable ties with sustainable waste management
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100% Bio composite recycling: all bio-composite residues are ground and looped back into production.
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100% paper recycling: if we generate any paper waste material, it goes straight into paper recycling.
Materials used in our paper cable ties
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The FibreStrap cord: we have selected the best material for performance and sustainability. The cord is made of kraft paper from Nordic wood fibres, produced in integrated mills.
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The FibreStrap lock: the lock is made from a bio-composite of PLA from sugar cane, hemp fibre and PBAT. The bio-composite material meets the requirements of EN 13432:2000 and is REACH compliant.
Traceability in every part of FibreStrap cable ties
We track and document all of our raw materials, parts, and finished goods throughout our manufacturing process. This way, we know that we can take full responsibility for the impact the production of FibreStrap has on the planet. And we also know what parts can be improved as soon as there is a more sustainable option available.
A cable tie with zero water consumption in production
No water is used in the production of FibreStrap zip ties. Water is consumed when producing the raw materials, see our life-cycle assessment, available on request.
Chemicals used in production of FibreStrap cable ties
The bio-composite in our cable ties is REACH compliant. Apart from a 0.1% polyethene wax treatment that prevents abrasion, the paper contains no additives.
FibreStrap promotes a sustainable workplace
We have created a workplace that safeguards the health, safety, and welfare of our employees. FibreStrap cable ties are produced in Sweden, and the workplace is union regulated.
Produced under an ISO 9001-certified quality management system
Produced under an ISO 14001-certified environmental management system
FibreStrap cable ties are
certified and sustainable
FibreStrap cable ties are produced under management systems certified to ISO 9001 (quality) and ISO 14001 (environment).
Our machine runs on fossil-free energy.
We are in this together – secured by cable ties!
Saving the planet is not a one-man job. We are all in this together and our journey with the paper cable tie started from a place of pure inspiration from the many cool, powerful, and sustainable initiatives.
So, drop us a line if you have ideas on smart, fruitful, and sustainable collaborations.
team@fibrestrap.com
