Helpful tools in a needs-oriented, high-quality and unbeatably affordable way
The elephant, the largest living land animal on earth, is a social creature that lovingly cares for its own kind. In this sense, the giants, which (as the African elephant) can reach a shoulder height of up to four metres, are clearly the role model for the Elephant® brand, which supplies tattoo artists with hygiene products and consumables as well as practical and helpful tools in a needs-oriented, high-quality and unbeatably affordable way.
However, Elephant® does not follow its namesake in one respect: some herds of elephants wander through the jungle on the same paths for decades ... Elephant®, however, with its environmentally conscious, biodegradable products, is energetically treading new paths that can lead to a sustainably better future.
It is undeniable ...
We live in a world full of plastic waste, everywhere in the fields and meadows, in the rivers and seas or on the beach we are confronted with the consequences of the thoughtless consumption of plastic.
And the tattoo industry has a very special problem: whether you like it or not, for hygienic reasons you have to wrap your equipment in protective foil again and again for each customer and thus inevitably produce a lot of waste. Whether in hospitals, doctors' surgeries or other medical facilities, whether in beauty salons or tattoo studios: Wherever special attention is paid to hygiene, a lot of waste naturally accumulates.
Our hygienic standards, which are so good and essential for the protection of human beings, unfortunately lead to an enormous burden on the environment. This is a real dilemma for ecologically conscious tattoo artists!
You may be able to dispose of the paper towels that accumulate in your studio as easily degradable with a clear conscience ... But what about your clipcord sleeves, pen covers or machine bags? These are usually produced on the basis of the increasingly scarce raw material crude oil and are then made of materials that are almost impossible to decompose for centuries. But this does not have to be the case! Because something is happening in the tattoo industry ...
Eco-friendly, in practice: New, biodegradable hygiene products put the brakes on the waste avalanche
More and more companies in the field of tattoo care and tattoo accessories are starting to rethink, look for and offer eco-friendly alternatives. Elephant® Professional Tattoo Products is leading the way: Elephant® has not only chosen recycled paper for the packaging of its products, but now also offers you Machine Bags, Pen Covers, Clipcord Sleeves and Washbottle Bags made from the bioplastics Polylactide Acid (PLA) and Polybutylene Succinate (PBS). This combination of materials degrades to water and carbon dioxide in the soil or compost within one year.
What are bioplastics?
Bioplastics are plastics that are produced on the basis of renewable raw materials on the one hand and biodegradable plastics on the other.
Biobased plastics are produced on the basis of agricultural products such as starch or sugar and thus reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. In addition, less CO2 is emitted during production than with petroleum-based plastics. However, not all bio-based materials are then also biodegradable.
However, the materials used by Elephant®, polylactide acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS), meet the two "big Bs" for the environment because they are both bio-based and biodegradable. Under the right environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.) and through the action of microorganisms or moulds, they decompose up to 90% into water, CO2 and biomass within a given period of time.
What is polylactide acid (PLA)?
"Polylactide acid" simply means lactic acid or polylactic acid. This is obtained from the starch that maize, sugar cane or potatoes provide. Products made from PLA are then biodegradable. Under ideal (industrial) composting conditions, this happens within a few months; in the garden at home, you will probably have to wait a little longer.
What is polybutylene succinate (PBS)?
Polybutylene succinate, which is also bio-based, is produced from succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol. The latest biotechnological processes make it possible to obtain succinic acid from renewable raw materials such as glucose and sucrose. 1,4-butanediol, a liquid, colourless di-alcohol, is produced by fermentation of renewable raw materials. The plastic PBS then belongs - like cellulose, proteins or chitin - to the group of biolopolymers.
Polybutylene succinate is very flexible and heat-resistant. It can be processed together with other biodegradable plastics to make multilayer films and improve their properties. PBS even degrades in seawater. It meets the criteria for biodegradability according to the EU standard DIN EN 13432.
Every contribution counts!
Compared to oil-based plastics, PLA and PBS win the environmental cup hands down. So Elephant® Professional Tattoo Products' high-quality biodegradable PLA-PBS-based toiletries give you the chance to express your ecological conscience in a practical way. Start small and avoid environmentally harmful plastic waste wherever there are good alternative options!
We at Tattoosafe are happy to walk this path with you without compromise. All Elephant® biodegradable products at a glance:
Elephant® Machine Bags
- biodegradable disposable product
- protects tattoo machines from liquids and cross-contamination
- high elasticity
You want maximum hygiene in your studio? Of course you do. But why use disposable products that are made from fossil fuels and are not biodegradable? Go for the better alternative!
Elephant® has developed machine bags made from the renewable raw materials polylactide acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS), which counteract the littering of our planet. These bags prevent cross-contamination of any kind and protect your work equipment.
Elephant® Machine Bags are available individually in handy dispensers of 100 or on a roll. The only difference is the format.
Elephant® - Machine Bags
- Format: 13 cm x 14 cm
- Quantity: 100 pieces
Shop Elephant® - Machine Bags now
Elephant® - Machine Bags on roll
- Format: 13 cm x 14 cm
- Quantity: 300 pieces
Shop Elephant® - Machine Bags on roll now
Elephant® - Pen Cover
- protects against contamination and cross-contamination
- high elasticity
You prefer to work with a tattoo pen? Then you need pen covers that protect your machine from contamination. Use the environmentally conscious, biodegradable Elephant® Clipcord Sleeves made from renewable raw materials!
Elephant® - Pen Cover
- Format: 6 cm x 16 cm
- Quantity: 200 pieces
Shop Elephant® - Pen Cover now
Elephant® Clipcord Sleeves
- biodegradable disposable product
- protects clipcords from contamination and cross-contamination
- high elasticity
Clipcord sleeves are also essential if you want to create a really clean working environment in your studio. Instead of using disposable products that pollute the environment, you can demonstrate ecological awareness and opt for the biodegradable clipcord sleeves made from renewable raw materials by Elephant®. These sleeves prevent cross-contamination of all kinds and protect your work equipment. Just give them a try!Elephant® Clipcord Sleeves are available individually in a practical dispenser of 100 pieces or on a roll. The only difference is the format.
Elephant® - Clipcord Sleeve
- Format: 6 cm x 80 cm
- Quantity: 100 pieces
Shop Elephant® - Clipcord Sleeve now
Elephant® - Clipcord Sleeve on roll
- Format: 6,5 cm x 300 cm
Shop Elephant® - Clipcord Sleeve on roll now
Elephant® - Washbottle Bags
- protects bottles from contamination and cross-contamination
- high elasticity
Of course you also protect your bottles from contamination. It's eco-friendly! Take a look at the bottle covers made from renewable raw materials by Elephant® in our shop. These bags help you to maintain maximum hygiene. They prevent cross-contamination of any kind and protect your work equipment.Elephant® Washbottle Bags are available individually in practical dispensers of 100 pieces or on a roll. The only difference is the format.
Elephant® - Washbottle Bags on roll
- Format: 12 cm x 20 cm
- Quantity: 200 pieces
Shop Elephant® - Washbottle Bags on roll now
Elephant® - Washbottle Bags
- Maße: 12 cm x 20 cm
- Quantity: 100 pieces
Shop Elephant® - Washbottle Bags now
More ideas? Yes, of course!
The Tattosafe team has been thinking about what else tattoo artists can do beyond using Elephant® sustainable hygiene products to help the environment while working effectively and inspired. Our ideas so far:
Recycling: you can opt for products that come in sustainable packaging like Elephant® products or are compostable, such as biodegradable cups, wooden mouth spatulas, the Inktray X or Ecotat products.
Cleanup: With The Inked Army organic all-purpose cleaner, you will not only clean your studio effectively, but also in an environmentally friendly way, even for the most stubborn contaminations.
Paper: At Tattoosafe we save our oxygen donors, the trees, by saving paper. You now only receive your invoice by email. We have been implementing this idea since August 2021. Would this also be something for you?
I'm sure you can think of more ideas to protect the environment in your tattoo studio! Then write a comment on this post and share your ideas with our community!
