Recycling

On this page we are trying to give as much information as possible on the materials we use and how to recycle our greeting cards and stationery. We are continually changing and improving the way we make our cards and stationery. New materials and processes seem to be appearing regularly and this page was last updated in November 2019.

1% for the Planet

In February 2020 we committed to giving 1% of our turnover to tree planting and environmental causes through the organisation 1% for the Planet. You can read more about this on our dedicated blog here.

Paper Shakies

In the summer of 2019 we introduced our Paper Shakies range which does not contain any plastic at all, is 100% paper based and is 100% recyclable. The cards are sold unwrapped by default and a paper clasp label holds the envelope in place. If customers request the cards to be wrapped we are continuing to use recyclable polyurethane bags so but far most of our customers are requesting these to be unwrapped. We have also sourced an outer bag for units of 6 made of waxed paper

Older glitter based Shakies now use biodegradable glitter

In June 2018 we started sourcing biodegradable glitter for our Shakies range of cards.and confetti made from paper which can be recycled. In May 2019 we started using a eucalyptus leaf based glitter which biodegrades completely in 28 days. At the end of its use it should can be home composted, incinerated (it will burn cleanly) or added to landfill. If added to landfill it will still biodegrade but it will take longer depending on how much moisture, organisms and heat there is.

Printing with Glitter

We will not be printing glitter on any new ranges in the future.

Envelopes

All of the envelopes within the range are fully recyclable.

Bags

As from November 2019 a large part of our range is sold unwrapped by default but when wrapping is required we use a plastic with the Resin Identification code “5” and recycling facilities for this vary from area to area. recyclenow.com provides an excellent guide for plastic film recycling in the UK which you can read here. We are now using a glassine waxed paper material for outer bags which is fully recyclable and compostable.

Cards

Click on the following links below to find out how to recycle your specific card. If you are not sure which range your card is from, please check the back of the card for code in the bottom right hand corner that you can match to one of the ranges below.

Peachy Range (Codes beginning L2)

Kids Range (Codes beginning HC3)

Shakies Range (Codes beginning B60, B69, B105, B109, B113)

Ups & Downs Range (Codes beginning K2)

Red Balloon Range (Codes beginning HE)

Mini Packs (Codes beginning MC)

Christmas Mini Packs (With codes beginning R2 and R3)

Peachy Range (codes beginning L2)

Card: UK council guidelines are now saying that foiled cards can be recycled if the foiled coverage is less than 30%. These are therefore fully recyclable.

Kids range (codes beginning HC3)

Card: UK council guidelines are now saying that foiled cards can be recycled if the foiled coverage is less than 30%. These are therefore fully recyclable.

Shakies cards (Codes beginning B60, B69, B105, B109, B113)

We now have two types of Shakies cards. Our new Paper Shakies do not contain glitter and the image is printed on to tracing paper. These are 100% recyclable.

Our older Shakies cards that contain glitter are made from multiple components most of which are recyclable. Once you have finished with the card you should disassemble it. Follow the visual guide here:

Step One: Take your Shakies card and open it up. You should be able to lift an edge of the card on the left hand side and pull apart to reveal the cellophane bag containing the cards illustration and glitter.

Step Two: Carefully cut through the double sided tape to reveal an edge of the cellophane bag, you should then be able easily pull this part away from the white card. The white (or sometimes red) card can then be fully recycled.

Step Three: At the top of the cellophane bag you should be able to open it to pull out the card featuring the illustration. This card can be fully recycled.

You should then be left with the cellophane bag containing the glitter.

The bag has been made from the plastic with the Resin Identification code “5” and recycling facilities for this vary from area to area. recyclenow.com provides an excellent guide for plastic film recycling in the UK which you can read here.

In our newer cards manufactured from June 2018 onwards we started using biodegradable glitter and confetti. These are easily identifiable as the information is printed on the reverse of the cards . The confetti is now made from paper which can be recycled. The glitter is biodegradable and conforms to EN-13432 standards. At the end of its use it should can be home composted, incinerated (it will burn cleanly) or added to landfill. If added to landfill it will still biodegrade but it will take longer depending on how much moisture, organisms and heat there is.

In our older cards from before June 2018. The glitter and confetti are made from the plastic with the Resin Identification code “1” which is the same polymer as plastic bottles and recycling facilities for this vary from area to area. recyclenow.com provides an excellent guide for plastic bottle recycling in the UK which you can read here.

Ups & Downs Range (Codes beginning K2)

Card: The raised image on the cards and other small sections in the background are glittered which can clog up paper recycling machines. These can be easily cut or torn off. The remainder is fully recyclable.

Red Balloon Range (Codes beginning HE)

Card: UK council guidelines are now saying that foiled cards can be recycled if the foiled coverage is less than 30%. These are therefore fully recyclable.

Mini Packs (Codes beginning MC)

Card: These cards are fully recyclable.

Christmas Mini Packs (With codes beginning R2 and R3)

Card: These cards are currently printed with glitter which is not recyclable. The glittered section should be cut out but the rest of the cards can be recycled. May 2019 update - the glitter we used in these cards didn't have a biodegradable alternative but we are investigating alternatives for the future.