Can Greeting Cards Ever Be Sustainable?

Let's address the elephant in the room: can a greeting cards business ever truly be sustainable? It might seem contradictory, since cards are a short-lived product. They are bought, displayed for a few weeks and - often - dropped into the recycling bin. 

So how can we claim to be an eco-friendly business while producing a product that seems disposable by its nature?

This question touches on a broader issue of sustainability and waste in our society. Overconsumption is undoubtedly harmful to our planet. But for most people, it isn't a realistic option to cut out consuming everything that isn't strictly necessary for survival. We have to find a balance and make choices that we are comfortable with. 

A story I'll never forget

Earlier this year, I worked with a customer who had recently been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

She had a nine-month-old baby.

Knowing she wouldn't be there for many of his future milestones, she bought birthday cards, Christmas cards and cards for life's biggest moments so she could write messages for him to open throughout his childhood.

It's impossible to think of greeting cards as "just paper" after experiences like that.

Sometimes they're simply birthday cards. Sometimes they become something far more precious.

Cards as a sustainable choice

At Wild Lines, we believe that sustainability isn’t just about making things that last forever - it’s also about making things that matter.

We’ve designed our cards to have as little impact on the environment as possible, using recycled and biodegradable materials. By choosing eco-friendly cards, we hope that you can still celebrate those special moments without compromising your environmental values.

In addition, when you purchase a card from a company that is committed to sustainability, you are supporting a larger movement toward responsible production and consumption.

We believe that businesses - no matter how small - can make a difference when they prioritise eco-friendly practices. We are showing other companies - like our paper producers and packaging suppliers - that environmentally-friendly credentials matter to their customers.

Bringing wildlife into the limelight 

Wildlife is at the core of everything we do, and it’s vital to us that our products reflect a deep respect for the natural world. Our hand-drawn animal illustrations capture the beauty of popular animals like sloths and gorillas, as well as more unusual and endangered species like pangolins and aye ayes. 

Our designs are made for people who are passionate about the natural world. They are perfect cards for conservationists, zoologists and ecologists.

I don't just draw a birthday gorilla card; I draw a birthday western lowland gorilla card, with its characteristic brow ridge!

The names of the species featured on our cards are printed on the backs. It’s our way of bringing the wonders of the wild into your everyday life, while also reminding us all to take care of the environment they depend on.

Making cards sustainably

Our eco-friendly cards are all made of FSC certified recycled board and packed with recycled envelopes, either naked (just put straight into the postal packaging) or in compostable, biodegradable sleeves. They are all recyclable (even the luxury gold foil collection). The cards are designed by hand in-house (by me!) and printed by a professional printer here in the UK.

We don't use any plastic in our packaging. Our orders are posted in paper-based, recyclable packaging; everything - from the boxes and envelopes to the stuffing and tape - is recyclable. This is true for our wholesale orders, too.

Even our business card was designed with sustainability in mind! All orders include a bookmark made of recycled board and printed with a beautiful lemur design on the front, so you can keep it and cherish it - or even gift it to the recipient of the card or gift.

Why choosing eco-friendly cards matters

There are plenty of reasons to opt for eco-friendly cards, and it’s not just about reducing your carbon footprint. By choosing sustainable products, you’re actively supporting businesses that are part of the solution. You're contributing to the demand for ethical, environmentally responsible practices and helping shift the market towards a greener future.

Choosing eco-friendly options has a positive impact:

• Reduced waste: By using recycled and biodegradable materials, you help reduce the waste that ends up in landfills.

• Lower carbon footprint: Sustainable production methods emit fewer greenhouse gases, helping to combat climate change.

• Preserving wildlife habitats: Responsible sourcing of paper helps prevent deforestation and protects habitats that endangered species call home.

It frustrates me that so few greeting card companies opt for recycled materials. The vast majority of card publishers in the UK use FSC certified sustainably sourced - but not recycled - boards.

There is an extra cost to choosing recycled boards, but it is very small. And you are more limited on the types of board you can use (annoyingly, there aren't any luxury textured boards available that are made of recycled materials yet!) but it's a small price to pay and the boards that are available are still beautiful and high quality.

A future of sustainable cards and gifts

At Wild Lines, we believe that creating beautiful products and caring for the planet can go hand in hand. We’re always looking for new ways to improve our sustainability efforts and expand our range of eco-friendly cards and gifts, including art prints, stationery, colouring books, and calendars - all made with the same dedication to the environment as our cards.

As more people make the shift to eco-friendly products, we’re excited to be part of a growing movement toward responsible, ethical consumerism. We’re grateful for our customers who share our passion for protecting wildlife and the planet, and we promise to continue providing eco-friendly cards, always.