Eco news

Belly Button dreams of an eco-friendly Xmas

Over the past 10 years, since Belly Button Designs’ collections have incorporated ‘planet friendly’ as they like to call it, the quality of recycled board has improved incredibly. Belly Button says it was the first greeting card manufacturer to use board made from recycled coffee cups and make it an affordable proposition by working with the supplier. This year, all collections will be available either nested or card clasped. For Christmas, Electric Dreams is packed in a specially-designed paper jacket, and Mobius comes in a luxury box. Both of these initiatives replace the need for plastic bags or over-packaging. Pictured is the new luxury Meadow collection, which is made from 100% postconsumer waste.

BEAUTIFUL GREETING CARDS For samples and our catalogue, email helen@dysondesign.com

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The Art File focuses on gift wrap and bags

The Art File has been making headway into eco-friendly card production for some time - in 2019 it introduced naked cards, then in 2020 and 2021, it completely redesigned its Christmas product packaging.

The newest update comes in the form of gift wrap and gift bags, which have apparently proved more of a challenge than cards in terms of improving sustainability. The new bags will all be laminate-free, meaning the product will be able to be recycled fully alongside other paper products. One of the biggest challenges has been the cello that surrounds roll wraps, but after much trialling with key retailers, the roll wrap is now cello free.

And for Christmas, a fully recyclable glassine band has been added to the Art File’s Christmas charity packs. It goes around the pack of six cards and envelopes to keep the product together, with the charity logos featured on the glassine. This means that all of The Art File’s Christmas boxed and packaged product will be plastic-free, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly.

Glitter goes eco

Northwest-based Ronald Britton continues to develop and expand its range of Bioglitter products.

Dubbed the world’s only certified fresh water biodegradable glitter brand, Bioglitter is designed to biodegrade quickly and safely in the natural environment. Made from ethically and sustainably sourced natural raw materials, it also has additional benefits when used in packaging and print. As a result, Deco Bioglitter products are now starting to be used on paper and board products, packaging and other materials.

Being cellulose based, Ronald Britton says the product is chemically like paper. This, coupled with its other eco credentials, increases the number of benefits when used in print: • Improved compatibility with recycling equipment: unlike plastic glitter, which melts, Bioglitter burns like paper to ash. • Reduced print waste: Bioglitter is applied as a pigment either within an ink or onto an adhesive ink, so it‘s only printed where needed. • It also allows for alternative paper recovery methods: • De-inking: removed along with de-inking compatible inks. • Biomass Incineration: it’s a renewable source of energy. • Composting: Bioglitter is certified freshwater biodegradable, a performance level significantly higher that composting, and will therefore quickly degrade. • Re-use & re-purpose: Products printed with Bioglitter can be re-used or re-purposed, for example in crafting.

To provide end-users with a clear differentiator, Ronald Britton gives printers permission to use its registered Bioglitter logos on product, packaging, gift wrap or other materials.

Lydia Scamponi of the Unique Paper Company, said: “Christmas is a time to have fun and celebrate, and it would be such a shame to do so without sparkly glitter! We are delighted to be working with Bioglitter, a truly environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastic glitter, to create a fabulous set of wrapping paper, which is bringing the glamour back for Christmas and beyond.”

Danilo helps plant 55,000 trees

Danilo and its customers have now helped to plant 55,000 trees!

Danilo teamed up with Ecologi in the autumn of 2020, for a scheme that sees a tree planted for every £5 spent at danilo.com. Find the virtual Danilo forest at ecologi.com/danilopromotionsltd

M&G targets single-use plastic

Every Museums & Galleries’ (M&G) card range is available in the company’s clever ecoband, a recyclable folded paper strip that securely locks card and envelope together while giving branding prominence. The bands have had five years’ exposure in highimpact retail environments and have proved their reliability. M&G is committed to eradicating single-use plastics from its entire product chain, right down to the glues used on notecard boxes. Last year the company introduced plastic-free calendars and this year gift packaging products are receiving the plasticfree makeover, with gift tissue boxes being phased in. M&G uses recycled materials for packaging, and the company’s new headquarters in Corby runs on green power.

Paperlink saves forests

Paperlink is helping to save critically-endangered tropical forests across the world by teaming up with the World Land Trust. Already this year, it has helped to protect 4,942m2 of irreplaceable forest.

Paperlink is taking a firm stance on climate change and constantly looking to innovate and help make the world a better place for the future. Every card it produces is 100% recyclable.

“We’re on the hunt for new innovations in the market. The card industry is here to help people celebrate, and it’s our responsibility to help them do that guilt-free and with a clear conscience. We believe in a world where celebrations should help, not damage the earth,’’ said MD Emma Young.

Cutting back on cello

Protection of the environment and reducing single-use cello in the product chain is a continued goal for Caroline Gardner Publishing. Over the past couple of years, a transition from individually cello wrapped cards to naked cards using the InFold Card Corner and the use of the Eco Bag (made from recycled bottles) for Christmas card packs are just a few of the measures implemented as part of the company’s environmental pledge. Both solutions were designed in house. As part of the continued eco initiatives, roll wrap from Christmas 2022 will be cello free, with new rolls boasting 5m length and an extra 10cm added on for trimming. Further trials to expand cello free within other categories are also being explored for S/S22.

Plantable card collection expands

Love Country has expanded its Plantable Seed card collection (a finalist in the Gift of the Year Awards). The new range consists of 24 colourful designs including new dogs, flowers and a host of other animals painted by Sarah Reilly. They are larger in size and are now completely plastic free.

Each card will have its own paper belly wrap to show customers these are a special type of card. Full planting instructions will be printed on the reverse.

The seeds will grow into beautiful flowers that will support bees and pollinating insects.