What do recyclable, biodegradable and compostable really mean

12 Aug 2025 • 2 minute read

Ever found yourself at the recycling bin, holding a yoghurt container labelled "eco-friendly" and wondering where to throw it? You're not alone. The terms "recyclable", "biodegradable", and "compostable" are often used interchangeably, creating confusion and leading to improper disposal — which sometimes results in a dreaded yellow sticker on your recycling bin.

This situation not only makes your yoghurt container the centre of street talk but also frustrates you, undermining the environmental benefits these labels aim to promote.

At Green Gift Cards, we speak to brands who come to us for our green credentials — which is why we believe in clear, transparent communication. This post will demystify these key terms and show you how our sustainable gift cards offer a truly eco-friendly solution that can help your brand achieve its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.

Breaking Down the Labels

Understanding the differences between these three terms is crucial for making informed choices and be able to explain their benefits to your customers:

  • Recyclable: This term means a material can be reprocessed and converted into new materials or objects. For a product to be truly recyclable, a functioning recycling system must be in place. Unlike traditional PVC cards, which are not commercially viable to recycle, Green Gift Cards are made from Invercote Duo paperboard. This virgin paperboard is fully recyclable card and contains no coating chemicals, making it highly recyclable in standard paper recycling streams.

  • Biodegradable: A biodegradable material can be broken down by microorganisms into natural elements over time. It's a broad term with no set timeframe for degradation. The process can sometimes leave behind harmful residues. The Invercote Duo that Green Gift Cards are made from, is a biodegradable card that does not leave any harmful chemicals behind.

  • Compostable: This is the most stringent of the three terms. A compostable material breaks down completely into nutrient-rich soil (compost) under specific, controlled conditions. All compostable materials are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable materials are compostable. 

Green Gift Cards are considered compostable under industrial conditions, meeting the European standard EN13432. This means that it will compost at the end of your garden, but it will be more effective to compost it in an industrial composter.

How Green Gift Cards Fit In

Green Gift Cards are designed to provide the ultimate sustainable solution by fitting all three of these categories:

  • Recyclable - Made from plastic-free Invercote Duo card, a material composed of ethically sourced fibres, our cards can be easily recycled in your home recycling.

  • Biodegradable -  The Invercote Duo material is biodegradable, meaning it will naturally break down over time.

  • Compostable - Our cards are also certified compostable to EN13432 standards, meaning they can be industrially composted to become a beneficial soil additive.

The Guilt-Free Green Gift Card

A major benefit of Green Gift Card is our ability to reduce the "guilt effect" often associated with product disposal. We know that even with the best intentions, a product might not end up in the correct recycling or composting bin but our card will still biodegrade naturally without harming the environment. However, with traditional PVC cards, this means a piece of plastic that is not commercially viable to recycle will sit in a landfill for up to 500 years, contributing to plastic pollution and releasing harmful chemicals.

The core to Green Gift Cards design is to have a minimal environmental impact at the end of their lifecycle. Since they are both biodegradable and compostable, they will break down naturally regardless of where they end up. Unlike PVC, which poses significant environmental challenges. This gives your customers peace of mind, knowing that even if the card isn't properly disposed of, it won't contribute to long-term plastic waste.

Empowering Your Brand with GGC

Choosing Green Gift Cards is more than just a product switch; it's a powerful statement about your brand's commitment to sustainability.

  • Boost your ESG story - By using Green Gift Cards, you can tangibly contribute to the "Environmental" pillar of your ESG strategy. Our cards have a carbon footprint that is 91% lower than traditional PVC cards. This is achieved through the use of eco-friendly materials and a production facility in the UK that runs on 100% renewable electricity.

  • Enhance your marketing campaigns- You can use this information to build an authentic and compelling environmental story. Use transparent messaging, highlighting that your sustainable gift cards are "100% plastic-free" and can be "recycled or composted." This not only educates your customers but also builds trust and loyalty. CarbonQuota’s report has also provided certified carbon labels and product or service statements that you can use in your own marketing strategy to communicate this effectively.

Making the switch to Green Gift Cards is an easy yet impactful step toward a more sustainable future. It's a choice that benefits the planet, aligns with consumer values, and strengthens your brand's reputation.

Ready to make the switch and start building your brand’s green story today?

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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Customers

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