Holiday season is right around the corner, meaning it is time to start thinking about ordering holiday cards. My whole life I viewed holiday cards as a wasteful tradition, but I realized that a lot of people cherish these cards and they don’t always have to be wasteful. Plus, I discovered there are actually quite a few companies making eco friendly holiday cards a possibility. Check out the list below. 

Some affiliate links are used in this post denoted by an asterisk*. Click here for full disclaimer.

Did you know?

1. People Throw Away More Trash During The Holidays

Americans throw away 25 percent more trash than usual between Thanksgiving and New Year’s — about a million extra tons of garbage each week, according to the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) 

2. Billions of Cards Are Sold Each Year Each Year

Approximately 2.65 billion Christmas cards are sold each year in the U.S., which is enough to fill a 10 story high football field (NEEF)

3. Most Card Materials Are Not Recyclable

Glitter, foil, metal charms, felt cutouts, and/or ribbon cannot be recycled unless removed from the card. Foil lined envelopes also cannot be recycled. (Keep Truckee Green)

Where to buy eco-friendly holiday cards?

1. Paper Culture

All of Paper Culture’s cards and envelopes are made with 100% post-consumer recycled paper and they plant a tree with every order. Paper Culture works with domestic and international organizations to aid in reforestation. So far they have planted over 1 million trees. This is where I ordered my cards from. I personally loved buying from them because their designs are beautiful and they also have a free pre-purchase design assistance service.

2. Greenvelope*

Greenvelope is a Seattle-based company that provides beautiful interactive e-cards. Greenvelope helps save trees while also saving you time and money. Best of all, a percentage of every sale goes to a non-profit organization that maintains forests. 

3. Green Field Paper Company

Based in San Diego, Green Field Paper Company is known for their paper embedded with non-invasive wildflower seeds. Their plantable cards use 100% recycled ingredients, with no chemicals, dyes, or additives. They also have USA machine-made hemp paper products available.

4. Shop Your Home

Use what you already own and make a diy holiday card. This is a super sustainable option since you will not be buying anything new. Use cardboard, colored pencils, watercolors, buttons, ribbon, whatever you can think of. People will appreciate the time and energy you spent to make them a custom card. Click the link for some cute DIY holiday card ideas.

5. Thrift Stores

You may be surprised by how many unopened holiday cards you can find secondhand at your local thrift store. Buying secondhand holiday cards will save you money and help extend the life of the cards by deterring them from landfill. Click the link above for some of my favorite thrift stores.

6. Paperless Post 

Paperless Post has the most beautiful online invitations and holiday cards! These environmentally friendly holiday cards are actually ecards – so no trees are killed! The cards are customizable and can be sent instantly or scheduled in advance.

7. ForeverFiances

ForeverFiances offers a wide selection of premium, plantable, seed embedded holiday greeting cards. They also offer cards printed on 100% recycled paper. This company has pledged 1% of their revenues to several nonprofit organizations including World Vision and Monarch School. 

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Where do you like to shop for sustainable holiday cards?