Paper cards and environment

So far so good. But the problem is that the billions of cards we use every year need a lot of paper. Not too many manufacturers use recycled paper for their greeting cards, and other environmentally harmful practices are often employed to make paper greeting cards, such as toxic printer inks and fixing agents. Even if a few manufacturers choose less toxic options, there is still some level of pollution generated in the process. So instead of stopping buying and sending paper cards, we should at least find some environment-friendly ways to limit the damage.


Alternative options

As a means of giving some relief to environment, you can use e-greeting cards instead. Many online greeting cards are just as good as if not better than paper cards. E-cards are available in a variety of styles and themes. If you want a paper card and paper card only, buy only those cards that are made using recycled paper. There are different levels of recycled content, and the more the better. For disposal of paper cards you receive, find out if your locale has a mixed-paper recycling program. If you find one, just put your old greeting cards in with the newspapers and magazines.

There are some additional advantages if you buy your paper cards on the Internet. Many of the greeting card web sites offer you reminder services that let you specify who needs a card for what event and on what date. At certain sites, the reminder leads you to the site to get a card; at others, you'll receive a card already addressed, stamped, and waiting for your signature about a week before the designated occasion. All you need to do is sign the card and drop it in the mail.