As greater numbers of both tattoo artists and their customers become more aware of the issues facing our environment, we’ve seen a greater need for excellent tattoo supplies that won’t cost the earth!

While most tattoo components are one-use only - unavoidably so, for very important health and safety reasons - there are ways to make your workstation a little better for the environment.

Here are a few of our favourite eco-friendly tattoo supplies, available now on the Killer Ink shop!

Magic Moon Biodegradable Cartridges

We love Magic Moon cartridges, and were so pleased when they came up with this clever innovation that takes the needles we know and love, and puts them in an environmentally-friendly cartridge.

By switching from plastic to biodegradable cartridges, Magic Moon has managed to cut the plastic consumption for these cartridges by a huge 98%. They’ve also replaced the standard plastic blister packaging with paper blisters, and all their packaging is made without varnishes or acrylics.

These cartridges have everything you’d expect from a modern tattoo cartridge, including an impermeable but soft safety membrane to protect your machine, and a needle indicator window. They’re compatible with all machines and grips that work with universal, Cheyenne-type cartridges, and are available in Round Liner, Round Shader, Magnum, Soft Edge Magnum, Straight Round Liner and Round Liner Bugpin configurations.

ECOTAT Collection

When it comes to protecting your equipment, machine covers and barrier wraps usually mean a lot of plastic going straight in the bin!

The ECOTAT range aims to fix that by replacing plastics with plant-based alternatives, making all of their products compostable and biodegradable.

The primary ingredient in these naturally-derived, plant-based and sustainable products is Cornstarch PLA. Compared to plastic, the manufacturing process for PLA uses 65% less energy and generates 68% fewer greenhouse gases. Plus, once they’re put into the incinerator they won’t emit toxic fumes, and will emit much less harmful gas.

The ECOTAT range includes barrier grip and clip cord sleeves, surface protection sheets, bottle covers, and cartridge trays made from paper pulp.

Paper Ink Cups

Another product that replaces plastic with paper are our paper ink cups! These are made from paper pulp which is both waterproof and environmentally-friendly, and available in 11, 15 and 18 mm options.

BIOTAT Eco Packaging

BIOTAT has a huge selection of numbing tattoo supplies that are made with all-natural ingredients - but what we’re highlighting here is their packaging!

The natural numbing green soap from BIOTAT is available in eco-friendly plastic pouches which use 60% less plastic than the usual plastic bottles.

BIOTAT concentrated, ready-to-use and sample packs of green soap are available in these pouches, but no matter what you buy from the BIOTAT range you’ll receive a product with recycles, degradable and tree-free labels attached!

Reusable Materials

One way to minimise your impact on the environment is to use reusable rather than disposable items. Of course, you can’t reuse your needles or anything like that, but you can replace disposable tattoo aprons with fabric versions!

Black n Gold’s Legacy Set of aprons come in Canvas, Denim and Waterproof options, all with high-quality grommets, clips and straps, plus extra large pockets.

Choose the heavy duty waxed canvas apron, the denim apron, or the water-resistant Oxford fabric apron with a vegan leather strap!