Choose Zero Waste Greetings Cards (and gift wrap)
Little Difference is a fantastic company that produces greetings cards on recycled card (the company is co-founded by an artist from Isle of Wight). Although now based in New Zealand, the cards for UK shipping addresses are printed in Kent, to save on air miles.
This company does not include ‘seeded cards’ (some can be pet-toxic anyway so should not be sent to homes with pets) because some companies send cards with seeds of non-native species that could do more harm than good.
Instead, this company uses profits to help fund tree-planting projects in deforestation-risk countries like Madagascar, home to more unique species than anywhere else on earth.
You can shop by occasion (including Christmas – read our post on keeping pets safe at Christmas) along with birthdays, anniversaries, any occasion (!), sympathy, new baby, new home, children, father’s day, weddings and thank you cards. Multi-packs are also sold, to stock up!
All are designed by our Isle of Wight native, and all the ‘boring stuff’ is done her husband (accounts etc). Another couple have also come on board, so this is a real ambitious project, to change the plastic-wrapped, tree-chopping-down, not-doing-much-but-make-profits greetings card industry (which often includes glitter that can’t be recycled and contains microplastics).
Wholesale orders are also available, so cards printed in Kent can be sold in independent shops. It can also offer custom designs and wedding stationery on request.
Little Difference also offers lovely calendars and fun art prints for children’s walls (both printed on recycled card and sent in compostable packaging).
Plus there are standard recycled cards (not reusable) but still use up waste paper.
Greentings (post-consumer reusable greetings cards)
Greentings offers cards with removable inserts, so the recipient can send them to someone else. Each one even has a unique serial number inside, so you can follow its journey around the world. Each card includes three inserts and envelopes. They are also made in England from post-consumer waste.
Stephanie Cole’s Eco-Friendly Greetings Cards
Choosing zero waste greetings cards helps cut down on single-use waste and skips the plastic, foil, and glitter that can harm the environment. These eco-friendly cards use recycled or post-consumer paper. And are sold without plastic wrap and avoid toxic inks and glitter.
Stephanie Cole Designs offers really nice greetings cards, all made from recycled card and sent in recycled envelopes. When their cellophane protective packaging runs out (recycle at kerbside or supermarket bag bins), cards will all be sent ‘naked’ (without packaging).
Avoid sending plantable cards to homes with pets, as most wildflowers are unsafe near pets. Also read tips to keep pets safe at Christmas.
These beautifully illustrated sets of greetings cards are all by a US artist, a best-seller on Etsy.
Choose your favourites, then stock up so you always have an inspiring card to send, which also supports a local artist, and helps to get the word out on the wonder of birds! Packed in handsome brown kraft paper gift boxes.
Choose from:
Shorebirds (sandpiper & whelk, herring gull, Arctic tern, ruddy turnstone and piping plover).
Winter Birds are blank inside. Each bird is labelled on the back: a mourning dove, mountain bluebird, dark-eyed junco, red-breasted nuthatch and barn owl (the last two local!)
For other cards, avoid sending plantable greetings cards to homes with pets, as most wildflowers are unsafe near animal friends.
Scandi-inspired Recycled Greetings Cards
These Scandi-inspired recycled greetings cards are perfect to stock up on, so you can buy a set and pick one to send to someone you love, whenever it’s a birthday or special occasion.
These cards are hand-painted and printed onto eco-fleck card in an A6 size. The cards are blank inside for your message, and are sold with 100% recycled brown Kraft envelopes.
A Pack of Recycled Botanical Christmas Cards
These botanical Christmas cards are not just lovely to look at and supports an indie artist.
Did you know that many Christmas plants are toxic to pets, including mistletoe, holly and poinsettia (the three featured here)? Read more on keeping pets safe at Christmas.
The cards offers 2 cards of each designed, printed on high quality 350gsm recycled white card, and sent with a recycled kraft envelope.
The cards are A6 and blank inside for your own message, and sent wrapped in tissue, and packaged plastic-free in a hardboard envelope or postal box for protection.
Artist Rachel Mahon paints from her garden studio in Nottingham. All her designs use carefully considered colour palettes, inspired by the plants grown in or around her home.
Vintage-Style Christmas Cards (on recycled card)
This set of vintage-style Christmas cards is ideal to stock up on, to send a tree-friendly Christmas card to someone you love. The cards are hand-painted and printed onto eco-fleck card in an A6 size.
The cards are blank inside for your message, and are sold with 100% recycled brown Kraft envelopes.
Choose from a pack of 5 (one of each design), a pack of 10 (2 of each design) or a pack of 20 (four of each design). The artist also offers a a festive stamp design. And a retro-style pack of recycled Christmas cards.
Hedgerow Christmas Cards (on recycled card)
This set of recycled ‘folk art’ Christmas cards features lovely folk art of some of our favourite species. The cards feature 5 cosy images, featuring squirrels, fox, owls, badgers, frogs, mushrooms and starry night skies.
Each card is A6 size, blank inside and includes a recycled brown envelope. Lovingly designed by a talented artist, stock up to send out during the festive season, raise a smile and save some trees at the same time!
Arthouse Unlimited (cards by makers with complex epilepsy)
Arthouse Unlimited is listed, as the charity gives jobs to people with complex epilepsy, who may not otherwise be able to find fulfilling work. They make fun art, to sell these lovely greetings cards, that are sure to bring a smile to someone’s face.
Usually we only list cards on the site made from post-consumer waste. And it would be great if this company progressed to this. But they are in biodegradable wrapping.
The makers can attend art sessions that are held six days a week, with two sessions per day. Each session has up to seven artists, plus a shop assistant placement. There are fewer artists, where higher levels of support are needed, to ensure personal attention and emotional support.
Many of the makers are unable to speak, so displaying their emotions and fun side through art, it a wonderful way for them to feel appreciated by society, and make a difference!
Alice Palace (artistic eco gift cards & wrap)
We love Alice Palace! This artist creates gorgeous personalised cards and gift wrap, made with green energy and printed on recycled paper or card.
England is in danger of becoming a boring monotone, and this company offers just the opposite. Quirky, fun and a little bit ‘English eccentric!’ The greetings cards are all blank inside.
Whatever the occasion, Alice Palace has a gift card or wrap for you, usually printed on recycled card. From happy couples to pet parents, you are sure to find something you like to stock up on!
You can even order a personalised tin for your pooches’ dog treats!
For other cards, avoid sending plantable cards to homes with pets, as most wildflowers are unsafe near animal friends. Also read our post on keeping pets safe at Christmas.
Eco Friendly Cards
Eco-Friendly Cards uses mostly 100% post-consumer content, recycled envelopes and zero-waste packaging (cards are made with green energy, with no glitter or foil). The cards use vegetable inks.
England is a nation of community shops, farmers’ markets, volunteers and befrienders. But it also is a country of office workers, who especially at Christmas and other times, hold office parties and other events, which unfortunately can result in not-so-good things like balloon releases, plastic food packaging and noise pollution.
There’s nothing wrong with a having a party! But if you run an office do (or events planning business), here are some simple affordable swaps, to make your event greener and safer for all concerned.
How We Gather Matters is packed with stories and case studies from major festivals around the world, this is required reading for anyone in the events industry. Leor Rotchild is a pioneer in the sustainable events industry.
Read up on food safety for people & pets. If animals are nearby, learn of pet-friendly flowers and read up on pet safety at Christmas. Never face indoor foliage to gardens, to stop birds flying into windows.
Pick a Venue with Green Values
If booking an outside venue, choose one with strong eco credentials including recycling systems, and energy-saving lights and solar panels.
Send Paperless Invites and Materials
Rather than waste trees, send out invites digitally to save on paper and postage. Avoid sending plantable invites to homes with pets, as many wildflowers are not safe near animal friends.
Include info on the invite about how the event is sustainable, and ask people to use the recycling facilities, when they arrive.
Plan for a Zero Waste Event
- Use reusable name badges. Ask guests to hand them back at the end.
- Offer tap refill water stations with glasses or refillable bottles instead of giving out single-use plastic bottles. If you’re ordering catering, ask for pitchers and crockery, not plastic kits.
- Skip goodie bags unless they offer something useful and plastic-free. If you include gifts, keep them practical (like reusable water bottles), rather than promotional pens or mugs.
Opt for Plant-Based and Organic Menus
Offer plant-based menus that use local organic and seasonal food, for a lighter impact on the planet. This also helps to support local farmers, which surely is what good business is all about?
Also serve up filtered tap water and artisan vegan sodas, beers and wines, again to support local business. Include plenty of gluten-free and nut-free options, to cover common allergies.
The Goodness Project offers corporate hampers including vegan wines, beers and chocolates, in sustainable packaging. You can also include personal messages, for each recipient.
The range includes Booja Booja luxury artisan vegan chocolate boxes, sold in many flavours like Hazelnut Crunch, Midnight Espresso, almond salted caramel, cherry cognac, cherry Bakewell and Yuletide spice.
Avoid Balloons, Fireworks, and Loud Noises
Many corporate events still are not aware of the harm that balloon releases do (they take six months to biodegrade, and meanwhile explode and fall to mostly to the sea, where they are eaten by endangered sea turtles, who think they are their favourite food of jellyfish).
If balloons land on the ground, they can cause belly ulcers in cattle, or choke wild horses (including balloon string).
Read our post on fun balloon alternatives, like recycled paper garlands. Also read up on reasons to avoid releasing fire lanterns (again they harm wild creatures and can cause fires).
Fireworks again may seem ‘fun’, but they are not fun for birds, pets and wildlife, all of whom are terrified of these polluting items that cause acid rain and again are fire hazards. If you do use them, tell everyone beforehand, and choose ‘quiet fireworks’ that are less harmful.
Also be considerate of local people and wildlife, by avoiding loud music to all hours. Keep the noise to a sensible level, and turn it off past a reasonable hour.
Traditional sticky tapes again can’t be recycled, so invest in plastic-free packing tape, which you can also use in the office.
This adhesive paper tape is sold in a narrow size. Easily recycled, it’s made by a family business in Lancashire, also available in a floral design.
Avoid sending plantable gift wrap and cards to homes with pets, as most wildflowers are unsafe near animal friends. Read our post on keeping pets safe at Christmas.
Plastic-Free Washi Tape
Sarah Frances Washi Tape is a more decorative option, made from easy-to-recycle paper adhesive.
Natural Twine and Ribbon
If choosing to wrap gifts with ribbon, choose biodegradable versions made from paper, or use natural twine that is easily chopped and composted, or breaks down naturally in the bin.
This thick and chunky paper ribbon is a much more eco-friendly and safer alternative to plastic ribbon, to wrap your gifts. And at end of use, you can just safely compost it.
Most ribbons and bows in shops are not just plastic, but often contain metallic plastic parts, that can pollute our waterways.
Or use natural twine, which is biodegradable, and adds a rustic charm. Just bin or recycle twine or string (don’t leave it in garden as it could harm wildlife).
Good Tuesday Gift Wrap is printed with green energy and sent in plastic-free packaging. Sold in folded sheets in packs of 5 or 10, these colourful designs are suitable for any time of year.
Cut up old recycled calendars to use as gift tags.
Also read about plastic-free paper tape (and paper ribbon). Also read our post on keeping pets safe at Christmas.
Although FSC-certified paper gift wrap is better, it still involves growing fast-growing plantations of monoculture trees, often with pesticides. These (unlike old-growth trees) don’t provide homes, shelter and food for native wildlife, and don’t absorb carbon dioxide, to help prevent climate change and floods.
Using post-consumer recycled materials instead helps to close the loop, and is also more creative. Eco gift wrap also avoids glitter, which usually can’t be recycled and contains microplastics.
For other brands, avoid sending plantable gift wrap (and cards) to homes with pets, as most wildflowers are unsafe near animal friends.
Cute and Pretty Recycled Gift Wrap
It’s All Eco offers lovely recycled gift wraps, sent in plastic-free packaging. Choose from Flowers and bees or Pink floral.
Also read about plastic-free paper tape. Also read our post on keeping pets safe at Christmas.
Although FSC-certified paper gift wrap is better, it still involves growing fast-growing plantations of monoculture trees, often with pesticides. These (unlike old-growth trees) don’t provide homes, shelter and food for native wildlife, and don’t absorb carbon dioxide, to help prevent climate change and floods.
Using post-consumer recycled materials instead helps to close the loop, and is also more creative. Eco gift wrap also avoids glitter, which usually can’t be recycled and contains microplastics.
Use with recycled paper gift tags.
Eco Gift Wrap (made from grass!)
Grass-paper gift wrap is indeed made from grass fibres, and easily compostable after use. So pretty you can use as place mats or table runners.
Also read about plastic-free paper tape. Read our post on keeping pets safe at Christmas.
Although FSC-certified paper gift wrap is better, it still involves growing fast-growing plantations of monoculture trees, often with pesticides. These (unlike old-growth trees) don’t provide homes, shelter and food for native wildlife, and don’t absorb carbon dioxide, to help prevent climate change and floods.
Using post-consumer recycled materials instead helps to close the loop, and is also more creative. Eco gift wrap also avoids glitter, which usually can’t be recycled and contains microplastics.
Alice Palace (artistic eco gift cards & wrap)
We love Alice Palace! This artist creates gorgeous personalised cards and gift wrap, made with green energy and printed on recycled paper or card.
England is in danger of becoming a boring monotone, and this company offers just the opposite. Quirky, fun and a little bit ‘English eccentric!’ The greetings cards are all blank inside.
Whatever the occasion, Alice Palace has a gift card or wrap for you, usually printed on recycled card. From happy couples to pet parents, you are sure to find something you like to stock up on!
You can even order a personalised tin for your pooches’ dog treats!
For other cards, avoid sending plantable cards to homes with pets, as most wildflowers are unsafe near animal friends. Also read our post on keeping pets safe at Christmas.
Fabrap (Japanese-inspired fabric gift wrap)
Fabric wrap is inspired by the Japanese method of wrapping gifts, using decorative tea towels or fabric scraps. You can use fabric wrap to everything from books to bottles. The giver or recipient can then pop the wrap in a drawer, and use it again the next time a gift is given.
It’s ideal for in-house giving (say family and friends), with no scissors or tape required.
Fabrap offers beautifully illustrated organic cotton gift wraps, packed in recycled paper envelopes, with notecards to keep or give back the wrap, once gifts are opened. Some wraps are reversible, so you can choose from two patterns.
HappyWrap is a company that also produces beautifully designed gift wrap, in organic cotton. Use to wrap bottles to books to jewellery. The brand was inspired by Dick Whittington, who would carry all his belongings in a fabric bag on a stick!
This fabric gift wrap features a beautiful sea turtle print, sure to inspire friends who love our endangered marine creature friends.
The naturally coloured fabrics have lovely weight, so need for lining and your gifts remain nicely hidden. The orders include cotton cord and a recycled card gift tag with cotton twine.
Sent in zero waste packaging with an illustrated guide to get you started, choose the correct size:
- Small is good for wine, gloves, books, DVDs, bracelet or watch boxes, aftershave, clutch bags or iPads.
- Medium is good for shoe boxes, board games, shirts, boxed gadgets and portable radios.
The company also sells recycled paper gift wrap and sustainable Lokta paper (from a bark that sheds naturally each year in Nepal and provides jobs).
Battle Green’s Festive Reusable Gift Wrap
Battle Green Reusable Gift Wrap is in bright red or green, made with organic cotton. Ethically made in India. £1 from each dale is donated to a small non-profit that helps care for abandoned, abused and unwanted domestic/farm animals and sick/injured wildlife.
Fabric wrap is inspired by the Japanese method of wrapping gifts, using decorative tea towels or fabric scraps. You can use fabric wrap to everything from books to bottles. The giver or recipient can then pop the wrap in a drawer, and use it again the next time a gift is given.
It’s ideal for in-house giving (say family and friends), with no scissors or tape required.
The Soul of Gift Wrapping: Creative Techniques
The Soul of Gift Wrapping is a book that combines inventive wrapping designs with inspiring personal essays by sustainable gift wrap artist Megumi Inouye, drawing on the gift-giving traditions of her Japanese heritage.
Keep small parts (like buttons) and glue – even natural versions) away from children and pets (toxic, and can expand in the stomach). Also read about plastic-free paper tape.
Avoid sending plantable gift wrap and cards to homes with pets, as most wildflowers are unsafe near animal friends. Read our post on keeping pets safe at Christmas.
Using repurposed materials (like old maps and sheet music), her approach inspires readers to think intentionally about the presentation of every gift.
Learn how to make tape-free folding techniques, paper and fabric bows, clever message tags and unique approaches for odd-shaped items. And how to wrap a book without tape.
About the Author
Megumi Lorna Inouye was born in Los Angeles, but her culture of thoughtful gift-giving comes from her Japanese parents. She often uses recycled and found materials, giving a second life to things that otherwise might be overlooked or discarded.
She believes that living in the midst of a fast-paced consumer age, there is something to be said about rethinking our relationship with gift exchanges and wrapping.
Here are a couple of her creations (not from the book), both made from recycled paper:
