Government-funded programme Envirowise is calling on companies in the East Midlands to help cut the region’s annual Christmas card waste – by sending their business Christmas cards electronically.
This call comes as Envirowise calculates that one billion (1) Christmas cards, weighing 20,000 tonnes (2), will end up as waste this Christmas. And many of these cards could still be with us 30 years on as there is evidence landfill sites can actually ‘preserve’ paper items, rather than letting them degrade.(3)
These startling facts have prompted Envirowise to develop a free e-card system accessible via their website at www.envirowise.gov.uk/ecard - exclusively for use by businesses.
Envirowise Regional Manager for the East Midlands, Julie Adams, explained: “An enormous amount of paper waste is generated over the Christmas period as businesses circulate their season’s greetings. However, we understand how important it is for firms to acknowledge their customers and suppliers at this time of year.
“We wanted to give companies easy access to something they could use to help cut down on seasonal waste, without dampening the Christmas spirit! An e-card system is the ideal solution.”
Envirowise is offering users a choice of ten exclusive designs which can each be personalised by selecting a preferred image and then adding a company logo and message.
Julie Adams continued: “Not only is this e-card system easy to access and use, it also allows businesses to demonstrate their commitment to the environment – and make cost savings too.”
Businesses wishing to use the Envirowise Christmas e-card system should visit www.envirowise.gov.uk/ecard. The system is free to use, but businesses are encouraged to make a donation to a charity of their choice. Envirowise supports WaterAid.
Notes to Editors:
(1) Defra
(2) Assuming the average weight of a Christmas card to be 20g
(3) Evidence from ‘Project Garbage’, a pioneering archaeology project that excavated landfill sites in the US, suggests that most materials do not biodegrade normally in landfill, largely due to a lack of oxygen and water. Amongst a wide range of items, the project unearthed 30 year old newspapers that were perfectly legible and showed no signs of biodegradation.
Issued on behalf of Envirowise by Harrison Cowley. Media contacts: Kate Sturley or Rod Dennis on 0117 929 2311 / kates@harrisoncowley.com / roderickd@harrisoncowley.com
About WaterAid
Envirowise supports WaterAid, as water shortage is not just a national issue, but also a global one. WaterAid is an international charity, dedicated exclusively to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world's poorest people. Just £15 is enough to give a person access to these basic human rights for life.
To support WaterAid this Christmas please go to www.wateraid.org
About Envirowise
Envirowise delivers a valuable programme of confidential advice to UK businesses. This advice enables businesses to improve profitability and reduce environmental impact.
Independent, practical and proven guidance is available through the Envirowise Advice Line, information resources and on site visits (Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales only) delivered by a national team of expert advisors. Each solution is driven by the specific needs of individual firms to genuinely improve their business practices, profitability and competitiveness. Since 1994, Envirowise has helped UK industry save over £1 billion.
The Envirowise programme is available to any UK business, completely free of charge. For more information visit www.envirowise.gov.uk or call 0800 585 794.