In The News- June 2018

GLITTERED CARDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT – OR NOT?

by Sue Charlier, Account Executive, J.S. McCarthy

Most greeting card publishers consider their environmental impact when making decisions regarding production specifications. FSC, post-consumer waste content, Rainforest Alliance Certified, vegetable-based inks and wind power…are just a few of the options that come to mind.

However, many individuals are not aware of the fact that there is a biodegradable glitter option available in the U.S.

Concern over the impact of glitter on the environment has recently become a newsworthy topic in the UK. The biodegradable glitter option provides publishers, particularly those with distribution in the UK, an option to address these concerns.

The manufacturer of Bio-Jewels™ glitter (Meadowbrook Inventions, Inc.) states that the sustainable, water-soluble, biodegradable glitters are made from two substrates; either cellulose or polylactide. The cellulose is made from wood pulp, the polylactide is made from corn.  They are both biopolymers. They are compostable, meaning they will break down when introduced to the ground where microbes are present, and carbon is biodegraded into CO2.

However, Meadowbrook Inventions, Inc. is also quick to note that regardless of the glitter used, the cards are recyclable. Waste Management, an industry leader in the recycling of paperboard, removes polyethylene coatings when re-pulping.  Therefore, consumers in the U.S. can place glittered cards in the same recycle container as paper waste.

The glitter application process is the same for biodegradable glitter as it is for traditional glitter. The Bio-Jewels™ glitter looks and feels nearly the same as traditional glitter. There are several biodegradable colors and sizes available. See them for yourself, contact J.S. McCarthy for samples by sending a request to me at scharlier@jsmccarthy.com.

Calypso Cards birthday card with Bio Jewels™ Bio-Crystalina RR biodegradable glitter