enviricard FAQs

2. What are enviricard cards made of?

enviricards are constructed from Invercote paperboard, which is made from virgin fibres. This FSC-certified material is probably the most environmentally friendly material of its type available today. Invercote is mechanically and environmentally the best option and offers superior quality and strength, making it perfect for card production.

Virgin fibres are vital for recycling, and Invercote can be recycled up to 20 times. Making paperboard from virgin fibres uses less energy than recycling paper. To make the cards compatible with existing DTC dye sub printers, we apply an EN 13432:2000-12 Certification scheme, compostable bio* material. The adhesive we use to construct the multi-layer sheet is a water-based PVA. 
*Our coating is derived from renewable resources [plants]. not from oil.

3. Are enviricard cards compostable and biodegradable?

Yes, enviricard cards are both compostable (EN13432) and biodegradable, making them ideal for businesses with ESG and CSR goals. Independently certified to meet industry standards, these sustainable cards help reduce carbon emissions and support broader sustainability initiatives across sectors. 
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4. What certifications does enviricard have?

enviricard holds a number of key environmental certifications. Our cards are FSC-certified and manufactured with a low carbon impact. Our products also comply with international standards such as EN13432 standards, ensuring our sustainability claims are backed by third-party verification.

DS Smith confirms enviricards are recyclable in line with CEPI Harmonised Test Methodology V2 and 4evergreen Recyclability Evaluation Protocol to evaluate the recyclability of fibre-based packaging and suitability for recycling in standard paper mills.

5. How durable are enviricard paperboard cards compared to traditional plastic?

enviricard cards are engineered for strength and durability, and are ideal for short to medium (1 use to 24 months but will last much longer if used in a card holder). Our high-quality paperboard goes through rigorous quality testing and includes a protective coating to ensure it stands up to wear and tear, rivalling traditional plastic cards in many use cases while being better for the environment. However, we are always 100% transparent - enviricard is not a replacement for every plastic card application. 

Our cards are water-resistant when our bio coatings are applied, but they are not waterproof and will, in some cases, not remain intact if run through a washing machine cycle, for example. Our cards are designed to be a direct replacement for multiple applications from single or limited use through to 2 years of use. Ultimately, it depends on how the cards are treated. 

6. Can enviricard cards be customised?

Yes, enviricard cards are fully customisable. We can pre-print cards on the Ricoh Pro C9500 digital press, which is compatible with our bio coating and then be overprinted on direct-to-card (DTC) desktop printers such as Magicard, Evolis, Zebra, Matica and more.

Whether you need branded gift, membership or loyalty cards, event passes, or secure ID badges, our customisable eco-friendly cards are the ideal solution. You can personalise enviricard cards while staying aligned with your sustainability goals.

7. Can enviricard be used in full-colour dye sublimation printers?

Absolutely, enviricard cards are optimised for dye-sublimation DTC  printers. Both CMYK(O) and mono resin ribbons work effectively on plain white or pre-printed enviricards, delivering the same flexibility plastic cards offer. You may need to adjust your printer settings to achieve the best results. enviricards are made from natural materials and look a little off white when compared to a plastic card. This is because the plastic cards are overtly white, with more bleach in them.

8. What printers can I use with enviricard?

enviricard cards are compatible with a wide range of dye sublimation DTC printers, including Magicard, Zebra, Matica, Evolis and other DTC systems. Most DTC card printers use the same dye sublimation thermal transfer processes, print heads and ink ribbons, so enviricards work on a wide range of machines.

We suggest avoiding large solid coverage when printing on plain white cards, as this is a limitation of the dye sublimation DTC process, which also applies to plastic cards.
Whether you're printing in-house or on-demand, our plain white or pre-printed cards are designed to work smoothly with most commercial and direct-to-card printing technologies. If in doubt, we can send samples for you to test in your printer. 

9. Can enviricard cards have technology in them?

Yes, enviricard offers biodegradable cards with embedded technology such as RFID and NFC. These sustainable RFID cards are perfect for loyalty programmes, access control, and contactless payments, combining innovation with environmental responsibility. We currently offer the most popular NXP MIFARE and DESFIRE capabilities, and for enviriPay, we offer JCOP5 EMV P71 MOB6. Our cards don't feature 'technology stickers', our antenna is 'drawn' onto the paper's surface, and the chip module is affixed to the antenna.

10. Who can use enviricard?

Any organisation that issues cards on demand as a single or multiple cards, or payment card issuers who offer restricted or closed-loop scheme Private Label cards, can use enviricard and enviriPay cards/sheets with embedded technology or magnetic stripe.

enviricard is a versatile solution that can be used across industries, including payment, travel, cruise ship ID cards, retail gift cards, loyalty and membership cards, event badges, security and ID programmes and more. Whether you're a global brand or a small business, our cards can be tailored for your specific use case while maintaining sustainability and security.

11. How do enviricard cards compare in cost to so called 'green plastic' cards?

Recycled products involve a number of secondary manufacturing steps - take-back of used plastic materials, converting them to 'nurdles' and manufacturing new products. This is why recycling is often more expensive than the creation of 'virgin' products. 

While sustainable cards can have a slightly higher cost compared to cheap Chinese-made cards, enviricard offers competitive pricing compared to so-called 'green plastic' alternatives. Our FSC paperboard card costs are in line with these plastic cards, balanced by long-term environmental and brand value. Choosing paperboard over plastic supports sustainable card programmes without compromising on quality or branding.