Eco-Friendly Gift Cards

If you have spent any time over the past few months paying attention to retail news, you’ve no doubt heard that gift card sales have been on the rise lately. 

They’re easy to get in a pinch and always seem to be appreciated by anyone who receives one.

With the increase in gift card sales, though, comes an increase in garbage.  More often than not, gift cards are made using plastic cards (over 17 billion were created in 2006) that usually end up in landfills instead of recycling bins.  Now, a few companies have started recycling and creating more environmentally friendly gift cards.

Earthworks Systems, a company we reported on a few weeks ago, began a recycling program aimed at keeping plastic cards out of landfills.  They melt down the used plastic cards to be remade into other items.  Other companies, though, are now taking things one step further.

Bioplastics are beginning to make their way onto the gift card scene.  Bioplastics are made from renewable sources like cornstarch or vegetable oil instead of petroleum.  Most bioplastics that are currently being developed are also fully biodegradable and help reduce greenhouse gases. 

Target has hopped on the bandwagon and has begun using the bioplastic Mirel in 129 stores nationwide.  Whether other retailers begin to use bioplastics is yet to be seen, though it is clear their popularity is growing.  Hopefully the trend continues as companies keep moving towards greener means of operation.