Making gift cards sustainable

Monadnock Paper Mills, headquartered in Bennington, New Hampshire, recently introduced the Envi PC 100 card, an alternative to traditional plastic gift cards.  

According to the company, this product is made entirely from 100 percent postconsumer recycled content, offering a solution that functions like plastic without the environmental impact.  

The Envi PC 100 card is available in calipers ranging from 14 to 28 points, with the option for Velvet 24 point. In addition to standard features such as magnetic stripes, scratch panels, bar codes and signature panels, these cards can be customized with embossing, foil stamping and lamination, ensuring brand identity is maintained along with eco-friendly standards. 

"Continuing to rely on plastic for gift card production is almost irresponsible at this point, especially considering their brief life cycles,” says Julie Brannen, Monadnock Paper Mills director of sustainability solutions. “There’s a pivotal opportunity here to rethink how we create these products and make a meaningful impact on our environment.”  

The company says more than 70 percent of gift cards are used and discarded within six months, quickly becoming part of the estimated 53 million tons of plastic waste that either accumulate in landfills, undergo incineration or require energy-intensive recycling processes.  

“The market response to our Envi PC 100 card has been incredibly encouraging,” says Lisa Taylor, Monadnock sales and marketing vice president. “The card’s functionality, printability and durability have shown retailers and consumers alike that gift cards don’t need to be made of plastic. Since the release of our paper card substrate, we’ve increased the [recycled] content from zero percent to 100 percent, contributing to a total production of more than 10 billion cards to date. As more brands recognize the importance of making eco-conscious choices, we're expecting to see increased adoption moving forward.”  

The Envi PC 100 card is manufactured with FSC-certified recycled fiber. According to the company, this Forest Stewardship Council certification provides peace of mind for consumers and supports retailers in demonstrating their commitment to eco-conscious values. 

Monadnock says its Envi PC 100 card is customizable, accommodating a wide array of branding requirements across industries and enables retailers to align with modern consumer expectations and drive sustainable commerce.