What do I do about cards?✉

Have you ever seen cards in a shop? Well, I know I have. But, have you ever seen cards that haven't got a plastic wrapping? I definitely have. When I used to go to Paperchase in London I would always see these brownish cards that were Eco-friendly. I would get so happy seeing them there, thinking there was a chance someone might buy them. They also had very cute and nice things on the front which made them very appealing to get.

However, as much as I would like to get rid of those little plastic wallets that surround most cards, I know they have a reason for them:

Why shops use plastic wrapping:

• So the cards don't get damaged during shipping
• If someone with dirty fingers touches it, the card doesn't get dirty or wet
• It insures you can take it home in perfect condition

But...why you should avoid plastic wrapping if you can:

• It is bad for the environment (obviously)
• You can't recycle them so they go to landfill
• Like the one before, you can't use them to create things like crafts out of them like you can with wrapping paper

This is why I'm struggling to think whether the plastic sleeves are good things or not.

However, there is a solution to not getting into all this, and that is to make your own cards! I love designing the front of cards and all you have to do is: get a piece of paper/card; fold it in half equally (or cut it to make it smaller); get out some colourful pens or pencils; start drawing and writing!! If you feel like you need an envelope to go with it, but you have none that fit or are lying around your house, you could make one! (You could even make it to reuse that wrapping paper that you have😉) Here is a step by step image to show you:👆

You may be asking now: what do I do with cards I've received that can't be recycled? Well, you could either:

1. Cut the left side off (the one with the front on it) if there is no writing on it. Then, write a message on it to someone and use it like a large postcard!
2. Cut out one of the pictures or writing on it and hole punch the end, then write someones name on it and use it as a name tag on a present!

Thank you for giving your time to read this and hope to see you next week for another Eco tip!

Violet
           xxx