Membership cards

16 Dec 2021 • 3 minute read

If you open your wallet today, you’ll probably find multiple membership and loyalty cards. These cards serve several purposes beyond just holding personal information; they are a gentle reminder to the holder to take advantage of their membership and keeps the brand at front of mind.

If correctly used, membership programmes increase customer loyalty, drive footfall, provide a revenue stream, and increase referrals. Nearly every business has products and services that can be packaged into a membership program.

Lots of membership and loyalty programmes now operate solely online. However, a physical indicator not only improves effective data tracking but serves as a reminder to the holder of their privileges. An online-only scheme can be a barrier to entry as not everyone has a smartphone. The physical card represents value. 

Today customers are looking for brands to lead the way in environmental and social responsibility. Research reveals that 47% of internet users worldwide stopped buying products and services from brands that conflict with their personal ethical and moral values. Reducing our impact on the environment is at the top of that list. And more than 28% of consumers have stopped buying certain products due to ethical or environmental concerns.

So, when it comes to your Membership programme that utilises a physical card, can you afford to ignore this customer sentiment? Yes, plastic lasts forever; in fact, a plastic card will outlast its user many times over. But unfortunately, we have no way of easily recycling plastic cards today. In most instances, they will likely end up in landfill, where they will remain for decades until they break down into microplastics. It’s been well documented, and we already know how damaging microbeads of plastic are for the planet and our health. Or they will find their way into incineration, where they emit harmful toxins into the atmosphere.

In most cases, Membership cards spend most of their lives in our wallets or purses, only being pulled out to be presented when we visit the gym or collect points with a purchase. So, do they need to be plastic? The answer is absolutely no.

For your Physical Membership card, go plastic free; your customers will love you for going green.

Choosing a sustainable card says a lot about a brand; not only are they looking after the planet by limiting the use of plastic. In addition, they are opting for something that has 95% less carbon footprint than its plastic alternative.

Plastic has a huge climate impact; it is a linear product. On the other hand, paperboard is circular, sustainable process; it is inert and compostable, and is harmless to the environment.

With advances in manufacturing processes, more options are available on paperboard cards, including some unique features that make them compatible with thermal and dye sublimation desktop printers.

No matter what your membership card requirement, we have the most environmentally friendly alternative to plastic for you.

Contact us to discuss how we can help you on your journey to plastic free membership cards and increased loyalty from your customers. Call us today on 01794 725 454.