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Tis the Season of Holiday cheer. With that comes Holiday greeting cards from loved ones near and far. And, as many of us prepare to give one of our own, one question on conscious shoppers’ minds is “How can I have an eco-friendly Holiday season that is still full of cheer?” The answer lies in zero waste gifts. When it comes to Christmas greetings, plantable cards are the zero waste gift that keeps on giving. These beautiful cards are not only a gift of Holiday greetings, they can also be planted to create compost or blossom into a flower after use.
Reducing our waste from Holiday cards is needed. According to one study by Exeter University in the U.K., one card sent produces 140 g of CO2. Considering that in the U.S around 1.3 billion Holiday cards are sent yearly, that CO2 output is equivalent to charging 22,000 homes for a year. Adding to this impact is that fact that every year around 700,000 trees are cut down to produce Holiday cards.
Deforestation accounts for 20% of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
World Bank
These statistics aren’t much of a warm greeting. So, we’ve found Holiday greeting cards that use recycled paper and can be planted instead of becoming waste. That means that zero trees were harmed in the making of these cards and they sprout into new plants that can sequester CO2 emissions. Now, that’s a reason to be cheerful.
Paper Culture Eco Friendly Holiday Cards
Celebrate the Holidays with Paper Culture’s wide selection of cards. Print out your favorite family photos to create your own customized template or choose from their wide selection of designs that range from minimalist to more festive styles.
Every order plants a tree where reforestation is most needed. We’ve planted 1,000,000 trees and counting.
Environmental Impact: Eco friendly Holiday cards aren’t the only items packing sustainable credentials from this paper products company. From ‘save the date’ to photo books, this retailer promises that every one of their paper items are sustainable. Each of their cards come with the promise that no trees were cut down in the making of them. Instead, each is made from sustainable materials like recycled paper or bamboo (which is one of the fastest growing plants in the world). Adding to their company mission to protect forests, each purchase plants one tree.
* 50% off Holiday Cards through 11.23
Uncommon Goods Plantable Wish Cards
Give the gift of a wish and a flower. Each of these cards are meant for a wish that you can write down for you or your giftee. Then plant them and watch as wildflowers bloom within a few weeks in spring.
Environmental Impact: These zero waste cards are made from 100% recycled paper stock and turn into plants and compost instead of waste. Each is handmade by a local Boulder, Colorado artisan and sold by Uncommon Goods, a founding B-Corp.
Package Free Plantable Greeting Cards
These plantable cards from Package Free are gits that keeps on giving. They’re made from biodegradable paper that can be planted to sprout one of seven different types of wildflowers.
Environmental Impact: Package Free is a zero waste company that focuses on everyday items that not only minimize waste, but are also shipped to your home with minimal packaging that is made from recycled materials and meant to be recycled. These greeting cards are made from post consumer waste, are biodegradable and contain non-GMO seeds that won’t leave harmful residues in the soil.
Paper Source Sending Hugs Plantable Card
Send the gift of a hug. These cards are a thoughtful gift for the Holidays or those moments when you want to let someone you love know that you’re thinking about them. These eco friendly Holiday cards are made from 100% biodegradable seed paper so they can be planted after use.
Environmental Impact: Paper Source has made strides to reduce their environmental impact over the last few years. In an effort to go green the company has partnered with sustainable forestry mills and has begun recycling or reusing their scrap paper while also implementing post-consumer waste materials into their colored paper products. They’ve also made the switch to use sustainable packaging materials and chlorine-free colors for most of their envelopes and cards.
Etsy Holiday Plantable Seeds Cards
These handmade cards are each crafted by artisans using recycled materials and wildflower seeds. Depending on which design catches your eye, you’ll support craftspeople in the highlands of Nepal by purchasing cards made from their paper which uses 50% recycled materials or a Washington-based manufacturer using crafting greeting cards made from 100% recycled paper.
Environmental Impact: Etsy supports small businesses. The company has grown as a marketplace for handmade goods from artisans based around the globe. Staying to their original commitment of doing good, the marketplace has also made efforts to support the people and planet behind their goods through carbon neutral programs, sustainable packaging and supporting social justice and reform.