Are Gift Cards Recyclable?

The culture of purchasing and using gift cards has been gaining popularity around the world. According to a recent survey, close to 80% of the general American population planned to purchase gift cards during the holiday season, with an estimated net spend of $163 per household. The growth of the gift card trend, begs us to address the fundamental question “Are Gift Cards Recyclable?” 

The overall aspect of convenience offered by gift cards is the primary contributor to this rising trend. Both retailers as well as customers receive significant benefits with the utilization of gift cards. Some of the primary benefits of gift cards are:

• Allows customers to purchase a wide range of products within a specific budget.
• Enables users to capitalize on a wide range of deals, offers, and additional benefits.
• Gift cards are not paired with an expiration date.
• Retailers and established businesses stand a chance to attract more eyeballs by issuing gift cards.
• The notion of customer retention is considerably enhanced.

Gift cards are now acknowledged to be a formative marketing tool by the majority of businesses as they generate immediate results, boosting sales and revenue in the long run. However, from an ethical standpoint, physical gift cards are not entirely sustainable. Let us now explore the realm of gift cards to find relevant answers to the fundamental question “Are Gift Cards Recyclable?”

What are Physical Gift Cards Made of?

To effectively answer the “Are Gift Cards Recyclable?” question, we must gain complete knowledge about the manufacturing process of physical gift cards. PVC is the most common and preferred material that is used during physical gift card production.

As a base material, PVC is not ideal for conventional household recycling. Individuals interested in recycling gift cards need to mail the used commodities to a special recycler who specializes in reusing gift cards by incorporating sustainable measures. Certain retail stores also employ gift card disposal points through which used vouchers are ethically recycled.

With the growing environmental concerns, several brands have switched over to a more sustainable production method involving the use of wood and biodegradable paper. The most feasible measure of maintaining a balance would be to opt for digital gift cards issued by premium platforms such as Send Credit.

Purchasing digital gift cards serves the same purpose as physical vouchers without being dependent on tangible materials. Ensure to conduct thorough online research to learn more about this aspect.

The Benefits of Recycling Gift Cards

Recycling gift cards offer various benefits as it allows us to build a more sustainable future. Some of the foremost benefits of gift card recycling are:

1. Building a Sustainable Environment

The overutilization of natural resources and plastic to manufacture gift cards has adversely impacted the environment. According to credence research, in 2022, the global gift card market was valued at $818 billion; it is expected to reach $1897.46 billion by 2030. Given the mammoth scale of the industry, special considerations should be made to manage gift card wastage.

Adopting alternative eco-friendly products to manufacture gift cards is the primary solution. Moreover, with the advancement in the field of information technology, global brands should aim to issue only digital gift cards that are independent of any raw material usage.

2. Reduction in Plastic Pollution

Physical gift cards are primarily made up of polyvinyl chloride [PVC] which is considered to be a substitute for plastic. PVC is not entirely eco-friendly as the material is classified as toxic and is difficult to manage while initiating the recycling process.

PVC takes hundreds of years to naturally decompose. Moreover, burning PVC waste is not an ideal solution as harmful gasses are released into the environment when the material is ignited. Adopting sustainable alternatives such as paperboard to manufacture gift cards makes them 100% compostable and recyclable.

3. Addressing the Carbon Footprint Challenge

The utilization of paperboard gift cards exerts a significantly lower impact on the carbon footprint scale. A single PVC gift card generates 21 grams of carbon when disposed of into the environment. Compared to that standard, paperboard gift cards only produce 0.66 grams of carbon making them the perfect alternative for gift card production. 

According to the reports shared by the International Card Manufacturers Association, close to 10 billion plastic gift cards are produced annually. A simple alteration in the manufacturing process can help us manage heavy carbon emission levels.

4. Controlling Cost of Production

Opting for plastic-free gift cards will also allow businesses to minimize production costs as they are comparatively cheaper than PVC. Moreover, paperboard gift cards are lightweight, making them ideal for shipping. The overall logistics and transportation costs can also be managed with the effective incorporation of plastic-free gift cards.

Choosing plastic-free gift cards will also enhance production time as the procedure becomes fairly straightforward. Conventionally, PVC gift cards require a total period of 4 weeks to be manufactured. On the flip side, paperboard gift cards only need 15 days on average to complete production.

5. Positive Impact on the Brand

Using sustainable materials to produce gift cards creates a favorable image in the minds of the general audience. The overall brand reputation is enhanced as the business concerned sets an example by prioritizing the environment.

This allows the business to gain more attention and attract new customers who share a similar belief. Moreover, the thickness of paperboard gift cards makes them extremely durable and immune to physical damage.

Gift Card Recycling Alternatives

The popularity of gift cards around the world is unparalleled. According to a survey, more than half of the Canadian population prefers to purchase gift cards during the holiday season. However, the popularity of gift cards is significantly hampered when the fundamental question “Are plastic gift cards recyclable?” arises.

To maintain sustainability, businesses issuing plastic gift cards should consider opting for alternate solutions. Here are some effective options that businesses must acknowledge:

• Established companies such as Starbucks and Amazon have now entirely shifted from issuing physical gift cards. Reputed brands now prefer working with digital gift cards which are paired with unique codes, serving the same purpose.

• Additionally, recyclable gift cards have also gained a fair amount of popularity among general shoppers. These cardboard vouchers are easy to dispose due to their low carbon emission properties.

• Opting for e-gift cards that can be easily shared through emails and other digital mediums should be encouraged.

• The introduction of rechargeable gift cards serves to be a game changer in maintaining the ethical manufacturing process. Here users are allowed to add balance to their gift cards for effective reusage. Established brands such as Walmart and Starbucks have incorporated this strategy.

Conclusion

These were some of the foremost aspects that allowed us to address the question about gift card recycling. Individuals around the world should make a conscious effort to only purchase gift cards that are manufactured sustainably.

Businesses should also acknowledge their corporate responsibilities and stimulate a culture that is driven by eco-friendly practices. Adopting alternative solutions in gift card production will help us to successfully manage carbon footprint constraints.

Be sure to visit the official Send Credit website to purchase digital gift cards at affordable pricing points. Embrace the change by initiating an e-gift card purchase from Send Credit. Ensure to conduct thorough online research to learn more.