Best Eco-Friendly Birthday Cards to Celebrate Sustainably
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Celebrate your friends and family members’ big day sustainably, with this guide to the best eco-friendly birthday cards. I’ve found the best of the best – from recycled and plastic-free cards to plantable cards, and more.
According to Exeter University, the average greetings card has a carbon footprint comparable to having two cups of tea. I can understand why some people prefer to send e-cards.
For others, it is important to put pen to paper and send a physical card.
I have to admit, I do love sending physical birthday cards. I like taking a little bit of time out to pick a thoughtful card and write a message to the recipient. Especially when it comes to family and friends that live further away.
I feel like if I’m not able to spend time with them on their birthday, then sending a birthday card is the next best thing to being able to have two cups of tea with them in person!
Likewise, I get really excited on my birthday when I see a handwritten card from a loved one land on my doormat. It’s such a simple and easy way to show we care, in a way that e-cards don’t always achieve.
The good news is that there are ways to send sustainable and eco-friendly birthday cards with people and the planet in mind.
In particular, look out for glitter-free cards, those that shun plastic wrapping, recycled cards, and FSC-certified cards printed in Britain. I’ve even found some beautiful cards that can be planted in your garden.
The Best Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Birthday Cards
Here are the best eco-friendly cards I’ve come across to help spread sustainable joy to your loved ones on their birthday. These are all glitter-free, easily recycled, and plastic-free:
- Stormy Knight
- Little Trinkets Studio
- Emily Nash Illustrates
- Erika’s Whimsical Art
- Little Green Paper Shop
- VIDA Naturals
Stormy Knight
Stormy Knight (available at John Lewis for £4.25) is a Bristol-based eco-friendly greeting card company that designs and prints illustrated greetings and occasion cards.
All of Stormy Knight’s cards are printed in the UK on FSC-approved or 100% recycled cards. And as well as being completely plastic-free and glitter-free, these beautiful cards are printed with vegetable-based inks. What’s more, they are fully recyclable.
Some Stormy Knight cards even come with biodegradable seed sticks inside that will blossom into flowers when planted, for that little extra touch.
I’ve bought some of these cards before, and they’ve always been so well received by the recipients!
Little Trinkets Studio
Little Trinkets Studio (from £3.30 on Etsy) sells plantable birthday cards and standard birthday cards, from their Glasgow-based design studio and online shop. Whether you pick a standard birthday card or a birthday card made from seed paper, these stunning hand-illustrated cards will surely bring a smile to your loved one’s face.
The seed paper cards, when planted and cared for using the included instructions, should bloom into beautiful wildflowers.
What’s also to love is that Little Trinkets Studio has a no-plastic policy for all of its products. So this means that all of their products come in fully compostable bags made from vegetable starch.
Emily Nash Illustrates
Looking to have a stash of eco-friendly birthday cards ready to go? Emily Nash sells a bundle of 10 FSC-certified cards (£20 on Etsy) that are fully recyclable, and come with recycled envelopes. These are all designed and printed in the UK.
What’s also to love is that you can pick any 10 cards of your choice from Emily’s wide selection. This means that you won’t be left with any cards that aren’t suitable.
If you don’t need as many as 10, look out for smaller bundles. Or there’s always the option to buy individual cards for £2.99.
As well as having strong sustainability credentials, what’s also to love is that your cards will be delivered plastic-free, without cellophane sleeves. Instead, your chosen designs will be wrapped in tissue paper and sent in a postal box.
Erika’s Whimsical Art
Erika’s Whimsical Art (£4 on Etsy) sells tree-free eco-friendly plantable birthday and greetings cards.
Instead of paper, these cards are made from 100% pre-consumer recycled cotton that degrades naturally in the soil. The seeds include Sweet Alyssum, Poppy, Baby’s Breath, and Basil. These are non-invasive species that can be grown in pots and left outside for bees and other pollinators.
Simple planting instructions are printed on the back of the card so that after the recipient is done, the card can transform into beautiful flowers.
Do note that the card comes in what looks like a plastic bag. This is actually a compostable cornstarch bag, that ensures your card arrives in the best condition.
Little Green Paper Shop
Little Green Paper Shop (from £3.95 on Etsy) sell beautiful plantable birthday and greeting cards. All the seeds in their cards are on the approved Royal Horticultural Society’s list of Plants for Pollinators. This means your card will support bees, butterflies, and all other pollinators.
Planting instructions are printed on the back of every card, and a recycled and recyclable kraft paper envelope is included with every card too.
Cockahoop
Cockahoop’s cheery range of birthday and greeting cards (from £2.50 on Etsy) are all printed on plantable wildflower seed paper. These have clear instructions on the back for the recipient.
In keeping with Cockahoop’s eco-friendly ethos, all their cards ship plastic-free. Each card also comes with a recycled and recyclable brown kraft paper envelope.
VIDA Natural
Finally, VIDA Natural cards (from £3.65 at Not On The High St) is a UK-based greeting cards company, that makes natural and handmade plastic-free greeting cards made from 100% recycled paper.
What makes them extra special is that the eco-friendly birthday cards are embedded with various types of seeds. This means the whole card can be planted by the recipient when they are done with it.
To grow the seeds, simply place the card in a pot with compost and water well. These will then grow into beautiful wildflowers or herbs. To make life easy, full instructions are illustrated on the reverse of every card.
Also included is an additional seed envelope. This contains extra seeds specifically selected with the butterflies and bees in mind, that can be planted as well.
Whilst we are on the subject of birthdays, don’t forget to check out my guide to eco-friendly gift ideas and eco-friendly wrapping paper ideas in case you need any extra inspiration!
I’ve got a handy guide to sustainable stationery that might come in handy too. And when the time comes, don’t forget to check out my guide to charity Christmas cards.
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