Greeting Cards: Facts and Tips

Regardless of what time of year it is, birthdays, anniversaries and holidays are just a few of the many occasions where greeting cards play a part. These cards are most often made from cardstock and can include dyes, textiles and even electronics.

This industry is so large that the Greeting Card Association reports 90 percent of all U.S. homes buy greeting cards. These gift-giving traditions have American consumers purchasing approximately seven billion greetings yearly. Where does this age old tradition come from?

Take it the History Books

Some say that ancient Egyptians were the first to create greetings by placing symbols on papyrus and sending them via messenger. It has also been claimed that the ancient Greeks recorded heartfelt rhymes or notes on scrolls. By the late Middle Ages, greetings via letters were all the rage throughout Europe.

It was made official in 1846 by British businessman Henry Cole, who created the first commercially produced greeting card for Christmas. The concept caught on quickly and holiday cards were in mass-production by the 1860s. The larger American-based card companies, some of which still exist today, were founded in the early years of the twentieth century.

Modern Twist

There are some toxins related to greeting card production, and with more than 3,000 greeting card publishers in the U.S. alone, cleaning up the printing process is becoming more of a priority. This is where soy ink has taken center stage.

The use of soy ink can decrease solvent disposal problems that face printers. It does not release a large amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like traditional dyes. Though soy ink is not completely biodegradable, it is an improvement over its oil solvent-based competition.

If buying greeting cards are on your to-do list, going for recycled paper, with soy-based ink, is a step in the right direction.

What to Do When the Greeting is Done

On most special occasions, you can expect some sort of greeting when you get to your mailbox. Though some are avid collectors of such mementos, others take it all in and then head for the trash. Think twice before tossing that memory and consider other ways to dispose of it.

1. Recycle! Most curbside programs accept greeting cards, just like they accept mail or paperboard. Some restrictions will apply for metallic coatings or electronic parts. Double-check with your local recycling company or use Earth911’s recycling location search to find a drop-off near you.
2. Reuse! Most cards come with awesome graphics or fun textiles that can be used for collages, making art or folded in half and sent on as a smaller greeting card. Some make great ornaments, or can be laminated for coasters, earrings or tiny picture frames.
3. Reduce! Make it a holiday rule that e-cards are all you send out. Send your friends links or buy the avid card buyers in your family a subscription to an online e-card shop.  Make sure to practice what you preach and by an e-card sender as well as a receiver.