You’ve seen Blue Planet, right? We all know that we shouldn’t be using plastic straws and disposable plastic cups. I’m sure we’re all trying to do a bit here and there to make a difference. Well here at cardsandgiftwrap.co.uk we’re going one step further and going naked!
Should you avert your eyes if I’m going naked?!
It’s ok, no censorship required. Here at Cards and Gift Wrap we have been trying to cut down on plastic for a few years now. It’s a long time since I sent out any greeting card orders in cellos. There is just no need. When you buy a box of cards I will wrap them in reused bubble wrap where they do need some protection. But the Naked Cards challenged has made me think bigger. Even now, I’m looking at how to send the cards in cardboard instead. Most of my orders now go out in a cardboard box. This protects the cards but sometimes there does need to be something wrapped round the cards to stop them being damaged in the post as they shoogle about in the box. (I do love the word ‘shoogle’, don’t you?!).
Packaging is something I’m still working on. I’ll continue to use bubble wrap as long as I receive it with deliveries. However, I will never buy bubble wrap for packaging.
What about cards in baskets and at events?
Another aspect of my selling is through baskets in workplaces. I would love to go cello free here too but I know from experience that baskets get dropped. There have been a few times I’ve collected baskets with the entire contents in disarray and upside down, clearly after someone dropped everything out of it. Accidents happen. That’s fine, I’m not complaining. But because accidents happen the cards need to be protected. However, I would be quite happy if people took cards out of the baskets and left the cellos for reuse. Where I use celloed cards to fulfil an order I remove them from the cellos and reuse the cellos where possible. If you’ve ever had one of my baskets in your work place you will probably have seen the odd dog eared cello on a card. It doesn’t always look good but know that it’s because I’m trying to do my bit for the environment; the turtles and the whales, and reduce my use of plastic.
We have just launched a new range of pocket notebooks. These will not go in cellos. If people buy packs of notebooks I’ll wrap them in a paper sleeve.
I would love to hear more suggestions of what I can do to save our beautiful blue planet. Comment below or contact me with your ideas.