Did you know that a lot of erasers on the market today are made from plastic? Many contain PVC, a type of plastic known as polyvinyl chloride. According to NonToxU, the first erasers were made from natural latex rubber from the Hevea brasiliensis tree and later mixed with additives to make them more shelf stable, starting back in 1839. Since then many new products have been introduced to the market.
According to Citizen Sustainable, the production of plastic erasers can have significant negative impacts on the environment and global warming as the raw materials are heavily mined. “Approximately 4.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions are from plastic production.” Additionally, since PVC plastic is not renewable, it is tapping into these limited resources and creating plastic particle waste as the erasers are used and breaking down into microplastics. Unlike pure rubber which is biodegradable, PVC erasers are not recyclable or reusable since the combined materials to create them are difficult to separate.
On the wellness side, PVC can contain phthalates and heavy metals, which raises additional concerns for individuals using those types of erasers. Through the process of creating PVC items, additional chemicals and compounds can be added to enhance shelf life stability and more. Eco-friendly eraser alternatives are a healthier choice for kids and school projects.
In 2010, FLOMO introduced their non-toxic eco erasers as part of the mission to provide safe products and expand offerings in a sustainable and ethical manner. The erasers were developed using only latex-free and PVC-free materials, to create a product that is environmentally friendly and safe for consumers. In fact, the eco erasers are made from TPE or thermoplastic elastomer which is latex-free and made from non-toxic recyclable plastics. TPE also uses less energy during the manufacturing process than other materials because of a shorter processing time. You can read more about our erasers here.
As a company, under the “E” of ESG framework, we want to highlight our commitment to sustainability, responsible material sourcing and reducing our operational impacts. By creating new products that fall under these parameters and adjusting our existing product line, we are continuously working to improve.
At FLOMO we have a commitment to use only PVC-free products, where our non-toxic eco erasers are currently PVC-free and latex-free. In our facilities we will additionally implement non-toxic processes for products & packaging to create a more sustainable future.