A Deep Dive into 97% Greener

9 Jul 2025 • 4 minute read

Unpacking the Environmental Metrics of Green Gift Cards

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, sustainability has become a buzzword associated with words like 'green', 'eco' and ‘good for the environment’. Businesses often use it as a checklist without verifying credentials or real environmental impact. However, sustainability is not something to be merely ticked off a list. So, how does a business that also uses the eco buzzword demonstrate its worth and credentials to genuinely use it in a sustainable way that benefits the environment and our customers?

Sustainability has become a fundamental pillar of corporate responsibility and a key driver for consumer and employee engagement. As a result, businesses across the UK and beyond are actively seeking ways to reduce their environmental footprint, align with key ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals, and demonstrate a genuine commitment to a greener future. 

However, navigating the myriad of "green" claims can be challenging, often leaving procurement professionals and B2B buyers questioning the true impact.

At Green Gift Cards, we're proud to be at the forefront of eco-innovation in the UK gift card industry, offering a solution that doesn't compromise on quality or impact. You might have heard our bold claim, like our gift cards are "97% greener." But what exactly does that mean? How do we quantify such a significant environmental benefit?

This article aims to provide a transparent and detailed breakdown of the metrics behind our statements. We'll take a deep dive into two critical areas: our reduced carbon quota and our significant reduction in plastic waste. It is Green Gift Cards' intention to offer our customers the clarity and confidence needed to make truly sustainable procurement decisions.

Understanding our claim

When we say "91% lower carbon footprint," or “100% recyclable”, we're referring to a comprehensive comparison against traditional PVC plastic gift cards, the industry standard for decades. This isn't just a marketing slogan; it's a claim rooted in independent, rigorous analysis of our product's entire life cycle.

Our "greener" claim encompasses a holistic approach to environmental impact, considering everything from raw material sourcing and manufacturing processes to transportation and end-of-life disposal. While many factors contribute to a product's overall environmental footprint, our methodology is based on principles similar to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), providing a robust and verifiable foundation for our claims.

Carbon Quota (Reduced Carbon Emissions)

The carbon footprint of products is a growing concern and traditional gift cards are no exception. Although small, traditional plastic gift cards are causing a mighty problem. The production of conventional plastic gift cards, primarily made from PVC, is a process that consumes a significant amount of energy, resulting in substantial emissions of greenhouse gases. 

This is made worse by the pollution from transporting and disposing of them, often by burning or landfilling, which releases harmful gases.

Green Gift Cards offers a powerful solution to this problem by significantly reducing carbon emissions across the entire product life cycle:

• Material sourcing & production - Our gift cards are made from sustainable materials that naturally carry a lower embedded carbon footprint. This includes FSC-certified paperboard from Holmen Board & Paper, which responsibly manages its forests, earning an EcoVadis Platinum award and ranking among the top 1% of eco-friendly companies globally. All this innovation requires less energy and no fossil resources to produce compared to virgin PVC.
• Supply chain & logistics - We are always working to optimise our supply chain, focusing on efficient transportation methods and, where feasible, local sourcing to reduce the emissions associated with shipping our products.
• End-of-life - Unlike PVC cards that last for centuries, poisoning our oceans, plants and us, our cards are designed with their end-of-life in mind. Whether compostable, recyclable, or biodegradable, our materials break down responsibly. This is to prevent long-term environmental harm and avoid the carbon release associated with burning or the indefinite storage in landfills.

We are committed to transparency, and our data, backed by relevant certifications and audits, ensures that our carbon reduction claims are verifiable and trustworthy.

Reduced plastic waste

The global plastic crisis is undeniable. Single-use plastics are choking our oceans, polluting our landscapes, and entering our food chains. Traditional gift cards, typically made from PVC, are essentially another form of single-use plastic, destined to contribute to this monumental waste problem. Unfortunately, PVC plastic cards often end up in landfills, where they take hundreds of years to degrade, or worse, become environmental pollutants.

Green Gift Cards directly confront this challenge by offering products that drastically reduce plastic waste:

• Plastic-free materials - Our core commitment is to remove plastic from the gift card industry. We primarily use FSC-certified paperboard, a renewable resource that offers the functionality of plastic without the environmental burden. These materials are carefully chosen to minimise their impact.
• Biodegradability/compostability - Many of our cards are designed to be biodegradable and compostable, meaning they can naturally break down into non-toxic components, returning to the earth without leaving behind harmful residues. Ultimately, keeping our cards from contributing to long-term landfill issues.
• Recyclability - We also ensure that our cards are recyclable through existing waste streams. This allows the materials to be repurposed, closing the loop and preventing them from becoming waste.

By switching to Green Gift Cards, your business can help eliminate 380 tonnes of plastic waste per year, effectively reducing the plastic content by 97% compared to standard cards. Our commitment extends beyond the card itself; we also strive to minimise plastic in our packaging and associated materials, ensuring a truly comprehensive approach to waste reduction.

Why This Matters for B2B Buyers & ESG

For B2B buyers and procurement professionals, the choice of gift card supplier is more than just a transaction; it's a strategic decision that impacts your company's broader objectives:

• Aligning with ESG goals - Choosing Green Gift Cards directly contributes to your corporate ESG objectives. Our measurable reductions in carbon emissions and plastic waste provide tangible data points for your sustainability reports, demonstrating your commitment to environmental stewardship.
• Brand reputation - In an era where consumers and employees are increasingly conscious of a company's environmental stance, opting for sustainable gift cards significantly enhances your brand image. It signals a genuine commitment to eco-ethics, resonating positively with stakeholders.
• Consumer & employee expectations - There's a growing demand for businesses to act responsibly. Offering Green Gift Cards shows your customers and employees that you value sustainability, fostering loyalty and attracting talent who share these values.
• Competitive advantage - Stand out in your business in the market. By actively choosing sustainable suppliers like Green Gift Cards, you position your company as a leader in responsible procurement, appealing to a growing segment of environmentally conscious clients and partners.
• Future-proofing - Investing in sustainable solutions today prepares your business for tomorrow's challenges. As environmental regulations evolve and market trends shift towards greener practices, partnering with Green Gift Cards ensures your operations remain compliant and competitive.

Ready to make a tangible difference to your environmental footprint while delighting your recipients?

• Explore our products - Visit the Green Gift Cards website today to discover our full range of sustainable gift card options, tailored for corporate needs.
• Request a sample/consultation - Get in touch with our team for a personalised consultation or to request samples. Let us help you understand how our solutions can integrate seamlessly with your procurement strategy and ESG goals.
• Download the sustainability report of our suppliers - For a more in-depth look at the detailed metrics, download our suppliers' comprehensive Sustainability Report - https://www.holmen.com/en/sustainability/our-sustainability-work/reporting/

The "97% greener" claim for Green Gift Cards is not merely an aspiration; it's a reality. Through significant reductions in carbon emissions and a steadfast commitment to eliminating plastic waste, we offer a truly sustainable alternative to conventional gift cards.

By choosing Green Gift Cards, your business isn't just purchasing a product; you're investing in a greener future. You're making a tangible, measurable contribution to your ESG goals, enhancing your brand's reputation, and aligning with the values of a more sustainable world. Join us in building a greener future, one gift card at a time.