Ethan Clarke
Plastic gift cards are extremely popular, with billions sold in the United States alone. However, they are also a significant source of plastic waste, with many cards being discarded without ever being used. The production and disposal of plastic cards also involve toxic chemicals, posing risks to human health and the environment. As a result, some companies are switching to paper or cardboard cards, which are more environmentally friendly, cheaper, and fully customisable. Others are opting for digital gift cards, which have zero waste.
Are gift cards plastic 1 or 2?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Environmental impact | Plastic gift cards are typically single-use, creating unnecessary waste. |
| Plastic waste | 200,000 plastic gift cards produce plastic waste the height of a two-story building. |
| Plastic waste worldwide | 26 billion cards currently in use worldwide. |
| Plastic waste per year | 5.7 million tonnes of plastic waste created by physical cards every year. |
| Plastic decomposition | Can take up to 500 years to decompose. |
| Alternative materials | Paperboard, paper or cardboard cards are renewable, recyclable, and compostable. |
| Plastic production | Vinyl chloride, a toxic chemical and human carcinogen, is a key component in plastic card production. |
| Alternative card types | Digital or electronic gift cards are waste-free. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic gift cards are wasteful and environmentally hazardous
Plastic gift cards are a significant source of plastic waste, contributing to the growing environmental crisis. With a short lifespan, these cards often end up in landfills, taking up to 500 years to decompose and creating a long-lasting impact on the planet. The issue is not limited to post-consumer waste, as the production and disposal of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, a key component in gift cards, pose risks throughout the card's lifecycle.
The production of PVC involves toxic chemicals, such as vinyl chloride, which has been classified as a human carcinogen. This toxic chemical is released into the environment during manufacturing, putting people at risk of exposure. The improper disposal of PVC plastic further exacerbates the problem. In Turkey, for example, tens of thousands of unused gift cards from U.S. and U.K. retailers have been illegally dumped in agricultural fields, creating an environmental hazard.
The impact of plastic gift cards extends beyond their physical waste. Each card and its accompanying letter generate unnecessary paper waste, and when mailed, contribute to carbon emissions. This hidden cost of plastic waste and carbon emissions takes a serious toll on the environment, often going unnoticed by consumers.
To address this issue, environmentally conscious consumers and businesses are increasingly turning to digital and paper-based alternatives. Digital gift cards, such as prepaid Mastercards, offer flexibility and autonomy while reducing plastic waste. Paper-based gift cards, on the other hand, are recyclable, compostable, and often cheaper to produce than their plastic counterparts, making them an attractive option for small brands and companies seeking sustainable solutions.
As the world moves towards more sustainable practices, the pressure to eliminate plastic gift cards intensifies. California has taken the lead by passing legislation to prohibit the issuance of plastic gift cards after January 1, 2027, encouraging a shift towards environmentally friendly options.
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Paperboard gift cards are a greener, cheaper alternative
Plastic gift cards are a significant contributor to the global plastic waste crisis. They are typically single-use, creating unnecessary waste, and they can take up to 500 years to decompose. Vinyl chloride, a toxic chemical and human carcinogen, is a key component in plastic card production, and it poses risks throughout the card's lifecycle, from production to disposal.
Paperboard gift cards offer a greener and more affordable alternative to traditional plastic gift cards. They are made from recycled paper and are Forest Stewardship Council Certified, manufactured carbon-neutral, and produced using 100% renewable Green-e certified wind-powered electricity. Paperboard cards are also lighter and faster to produce, resulting in a lower price point than plastic cards. Despite being more affordable, they do not compromise on quality or durability, offering a luxurious premium feel.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, paperboard cards are highly customisable, with full-colour double-sided printing, different coatings, and custom shapes and sizes. They can be used for membership cards, loyalty cards, and ID cards, and are equipped with features such as barcode and QR codes, magstripe encoding, and scratch-off security labels.
With the growing concern over plastic waste, businesses can benefit from switching to paperboard gift cards. Not only does it demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, but it also provides a cost-effective solution without sacrificing quality. By choosing paperboard cards, companies can appeal to environmentally conscious consumers and foster loyalty through their eco-friendly practices.
California's pending decision to ban all plastic and PVC gift cards by 2027 highlights the urgency for businesses to seek sustainable alternatives. Paperboard gift cards present a compelling option that is not only greener but also cheaper and fully customisable, making them an attractive choice for companies seeking to reduce their environmental impact.
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Digital gift cards are waste-free and flexible
Plastic gift cards are typically single-use, creating unnecessary waste. They are made from PVC and contain vinyl chloride, a toxic chemical and known human carcinogen. Plastic cards can take up to 500 years to decompose, and the carbon emissions associated with their postage are also environmentally costly.
Digital gift cards are a waste-free alternative. They are sent via email, which saves on paper waste and carbon emissions, and they can be forwarded to the recipient at a later date. They are also flexible, allowing the recipient to shop online or in-store and choose from a range of brands.
Some companies offer paperboard gift cards, which are a more environmentally friendly option than plastic. They are fully recyclable, compostable, and durable, although not entirely destruction-proof. Paperboard cards are also usually cheaper than plastic cards, making them an attractive option for small brands or limited editions.
Digital gift cards are a waste-free and flexible option for gift-giving. They eliminate the environmental impact of plastic and paper waste, and their instant delivery makes them a convenient choice for both the purchaser and the recipient. With digital gift cards, the recipient can often choose from a range of brands and has the flexibility to shop online or in-store.
Digital cards can also be easily personalised with a message or photo, making them a unique and thoughtful gift. They are a safe and secure way to give a gift, with no risk of losing the card or it being stolen. Digital gift cards are also a convenient option for businesses, streamlining employee expenses and improving operational efficiency.
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Plastic gift cards are made from harmful chemicals
Plastic gift cards are made from a variety of harmful chemicals, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a toxic and potentially carcinogenic material. The production of these cards generates carbon dioxide, contributing to global warming, and the cards themselves are incredibly difficult to recycle. As a result, the majority of the 26 billion plastic cards in circulation wind up in landfills, slowly releasing toxic chemicals that contaminate the soil and groundwater, or are incinerated, releasing a cocktail of pollutants into the air.
PVC is a key component in plastic card production, and it's also found in PVC pipes, windows, flooring, packaging, furniture, car parts, children's toys, and shower curtains, among other consumer goods. However, it is particularly problematic in the creation of plastic cards due to the challenges it presents in recycling. PVC cards are not accepted by most recycling programs, and even when they are, the embedded metals and other components make the process extremely difficult.
One of the most concerning chemicals used in PVC card production is vinyl chloride, a toxic chemical known to cause liver cancer and associated with lymphoma, leukaemia, and cancers of the brain and lungs. It has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Additionally, pregnant women exposed to high levels of vinyl chloride are at an increased risk of miscarriage and birth defects.
The environmental and health impacts of plastic gift cards are significant, and the short lifespan of these cards often results in unnecessary waste. Businesses are among the top users of plastic, and plastic gift cards are a common choice for employee rewards, adding to the waste generated. The impact of this waste is far-reaching, with physical gift cards contributing to the approximately 5.7 million tonnes of plastic waste produced annually, which can take up to 500 years to decompose.
Fortunately, there are more sustainable alternatives to PVC plastic gift cards, such as paper cards or e-cards, which produce zero waste. These options not only reduce plastic waste but also streamline processes, improve employee satisfaction, and provide greater flexibility and autonomy for recipients.
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Plastic gift cards are popular, but paper and electronic cards are more sustainable
Plastic gift cards are popular, but they contribute significantly to plastic waste. With the rise of sustainable alternatives, such as paper and electronic cards, consumers and businesses can make more environmentally conscious choices without compromising convenience or functionality.
Plastic gift cards are typically made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, a material known for its durability. However, this durability comes at a cost to the environment. PVC is a toxic and potentially carcinogenic material, with vinyl chloride, a key component in its production, classified as a Group 1 human carcinogen. The production and disposal of PVC gift cards create environmental concerns throughout the card's lifecycle.
The shift towards paper gift cards offers a robust and eco-friendly alternative to plastic. Paper cards are significantly more recyclable than plastic cards and can be produced from recycled materials. They are also more cost-effective, with a lower price point than plastic cards, making them an attractive option for businesses. Paper cards can still include features such as magnetic stripes, barcodes, variable data, and QR codes, ensuring they maintain the same level of functionality as their plastic counterparts.
Electronic or digital gift cards are another sustainable option that eliminates plastic waste entirely. These virtual cards can be instantly issued to recipients via email and offer flexibility and autonomy, making them a desirable reward or incentive for employees. By transitioning to digital cards, businesses can also reduce paper waste associated with physical cards and their accompanying letters, contributing to a more sustainable planet while improving operational efficiency.
As consumers and businesses become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, the popularity of sustainable gift card options is expected to grow. With compelling environmental benefits, cost-effectiveness, and functionality comparable to plastic cards, paper and electronic gift cards offer a more sustainable future for the multi-billion-dollar gift card industry.
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Frequently asked questions
No, plastic gift cards are not environmentally friendly. They are typically single-use, creating unnecessary waste. Vinyl chloride, a toxic chemical and human carcinogen, is a key component in plastic card production. Plastic cards can take up to 500 years to decompose.
Paper or cardboard cards are a greener and cheaper alternative to plastic gift cards. They are made from renewable sources and are easier to recycle. Electronic gift cards are another option that produces zero waste.
Plastic gift cards are popular because they are durable and fully customisable. They are also lighter and faster to produce than paperboard cards.
