The benefits of eco-friendly gift cards to businesses

25 Sep 2025 • 3 minute read


When considering sustainability, it is often presented as a moral choice. But what if “going green” could also mean saving money and strengthening your brand? Eco-friendly gift cards go far beyond reducing environmental impact—they can unlock financial benefits of sustainability and enhance customer loyalty at the same time.

In this article, we’ll explore the dual benefits of making the switch to sustainable, plastic-free cards, and why it makes smart business sense.

The Financial Case for Eco-Friendly Gift Cards

Smarter print runs, reduced waste

Traditional plastic card orders often require large print runs, leading to unused stock when branding changes or campaigns end. With Green Gift Cards, you can print shorter runs thanks to advanced digital printing technology. This means less waste, lower storage costs, and the flexibility to refresh designs quickly.

Lower logistics and transport costs

Our cards are made from responsibly sourced paperboard, which is lighter than plastic. That translates to reduced shipping costs and a smaller carbon footprint—a financial and environmental win.

Driving repeat business and redemption

Gift cards are proven tools for customer retention. Adding eco-credentials increases their appeal to today’s eco-conscious consumer, boosting uptake and redemption rates. In other words, your customers are more likely to choose and use cards that align with their values.

Long-term ROI

Sustainability isn’t just a short-term trend. As businesses embed ESG strategies, eco-friendly cards offer a consistent long-term return on investment. They future-proof your gift card programme against rising expectations from regulators and consumers alike.

The Brand Case for Eco-Friendly Gift Cards

Meeting consumer expectations

According to Deloitte’s Global Sustainability Report, more than half of consumers are increasingly actively choosing brands with strong eco credentials. By switching to sustainable gift cards, you meet these expectations in a tangible, visible way.

Differentiation in a crowded market

The retail and hospitality sectors are fiercely competitive. Offering plastic-free cards sets you apart from businesses still using outdated materials, signalling leadership in sustainability.

A story worth sharing

Eco-friendly gift cards aren’t just functional—they’re marketing tools. They give you a powerful story to share in campaigns, press, and on social media. Switching to Green Gift Cards helps you showcase real sustainability action, not just words.

Building loyalty and trust

Trust is the foundation of brand loyalty. Customers are more likely to support businesses whose actions align with their personal values, and eco-friendly cards are a simple but effective way to demonstrate that alignment.

The Green Gift Cards way of living

At Green Gift Cards, sustainability is built into everything we do. Our cards are made from premium, FSC®-certified paperboard from the Holmen Mill in Sweden, ensuring both durability and environmental responsibility.

Working with Ricoh, we use cutting-edge digital presses like the Ricoh Pro C9500 to deliver high-quality, short-run print solutions—minimising waste while maximising flexibility. The result? Cards that are beautiful, functional, and aligned with your brand’s sustainability goals.

Why It Matters Now

The shift to eco-friendly cards is no longer just a nice-to-have. With new sustainability regulations on the horizon and rising consumer expectations, acting now positions your business as a leader rather than a follower.

Switching to sustainable cards is a small change, but one with a disproportionately large positive impact on your finances, your brand, and the planet.

Ready to Make the Switch?

Explore the difference that eco-friendly plastic free gift cards can make for your business. Request a sample pack today, or get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements.

Greener

Greener

Compostable and recyclable

Cheaper

Cheaper

Save up to 40% compared to plastic

Quicker

Quicker

Turnaround average 20 working days

Introducing our range of plastic-free cards

Since 2006 we have been innovating and disrupting in the card market to develop what is a leading range of environmentally-friendly card solutions. So what sets us apart?

Well that’s the thing, there’s a number of reasons why Green Gift Cards are renowned in the world of card production. It is the material we use for our cards and the certification that the cards come with. It is also the compelling environmental story (we urge you to watch the video) that is behind all of our cards and the fact that, once finished with, our cards are compostable and can be recycled in normal household waste streams. Oh and we’ll say it again – being environmentally-friendly doesn’t mean they are more expensive. In fact they offer great value compared to plastic cards.

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If you would like to talk to us about your next card order or would like to know more about what makes our products so unique, call us on 01794 725 454 or request a call back.

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White paper

Read our latest white paper to find out one simple change organisations can implement today to help tackle the issue of single and limited use plastic.

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Request a sample pack

If you would like to actually feel and see the quality of our Green Gift Card, we will happily send you some samples.

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Customers

Green Gift Cards works with a diverse range of customers, from global brands to independent retailers, all committed to reducing plastic waste.