enviricard Pioneering Transparent Sustainability in Event Badges and Beyond

Introduction

In an era where environmental claims are scrutinised more than ever, Enviricard stands out as a beacon of authenticity. As the world's first independently verified plastic-free alternative to traditional PVC cards, Enviricard is transforming industries like events, membership, ID, and loyalty programs.

This case study explores how Enviricard leverages rigorous, third-party validations—such as DS Smith's Recyclability Evaluation Service (RES) and CarbonQuota's product carbon footprint assessments—to combat greenwashing and empower brands to make informed, eco-conscious choices. Through strategic partnerships and innovative materials, Enviricard demonstrates that sustainability can be both practical and proven.

The Challenge: Tackling Single-Use Plastic Waste

The events industry exemplifies the problem of single-use plastics, with millions of PVC badges discarded annually after brief use. These fossil-fuel-derived items contribute to long-term environmental harm, including ocean pollution, landfill overflow, and high carbon emissions. Traditional PVC cards take centuries to decompose, exacerbating issues like "floating garbage islands" and habitat degradation.

Brands face mounting pressure to meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) targets, but many "green" alternatives lack verifiable credentials, leading to accusations of greenwashing. Enviricard addresses this by offering a like for like replacement that maintains durability and functionality while prioritising validated end-of-life recyclability.
 

The Enviricard Solution: Materials and Innovation

At the heart of Enviricard is Holmen Board and Paper's premium Invercote Duo paperboard, sourced from responsibly managed, regenerative forests. This FSC-certified material is coated with a specialised blend of polylactic acid (PLA), derived from plant extracts like corn starch or sugar cane, replacing fossil fuel derived coatings. The result is a biodegradable, compostable (under EN13432 standards), and recyclable card that performs like plastic but aligns with circular economy principles.

Enviricard's compatibility with nearly all ribbon-based dye-sublimation printers, such as Zebra models, ensures seamless integration into existing event workflows. Base printing occurs on energy-efficient Ricoh Pro™ C9500 digital presses, followed by on-demand overprinting. This process keeps production efficient and minimises waste, contributing to the product's low overall environmental impact.

Independent Verification: Building Trust Through Data

Enviricard prides itself on full transparency, subjecting its products to independent expert evaluations to substantiate all green claims.

Recyclability Validation with DS Smith Recyclability Evaluation Service (RES): Enviricard has undergone multiple assessments using the CEPI Harmonised European Laboratory Test Method (Version 3, February 2025) and the 4evergreen Fibre-Based Packaging Recyclability Evaluation Protocol (Version 1, January 2025). The latest RES report, completed in November 2025, evaluated Enviricard at three stages: blank cards, preprinted cards (using Ricoh toner inks), and fully printed cards (including Zebra ribbon inks for on-demand applications like Cvent's event services).Despite more stringent criteria in the updated methodologies, Enviricard achieved a recyclability score of 45/100, classifying it as "Suitable for Standard Mill Recycling." This means post-event badges can be recycled in conventional paper-for-recycling (PfR) mills via household or commercial waste streams—no specialised take-back schemes required. The previous assessment in December 2023 (using Version 2 methodologies) also scored 45/100 for blank cards, but the new report's inclusion of printing processes underscores Enviricard's real-world recyclability. DS Smith's RES testing and expertise helps brands demystify product impacts, providing laboratory-emulated mill conditions to assess pulping, screening, yield, and more, ensuring claims are rooted in science.

Carbon Footprint Assessment with CarbonQuota: A cradle-to-manufacturer-gate plus end-of-life (EoL) analysis reveals Enviricard's carbon footprint is 57% lower than equivalent PVC cards (8.70 gCO₂e per trade unit vs. 20.07 gCO₂e for PVC). The substrate alone offers an 88% reduction. This study, based on a production run of 500,000 cards (90/10 trade/retail split), used verified data from Holmen and secondary sources for PLA. It includes intermediate transportation within the cradle-to-gate boundary, where transport between various production sites and upstream material shipments emerges as a key carbon hotspot, making it a major contributor to overall emissions. Downstream transport (post-manufacturing) was excluded as an unknown variable, but Enviricard's lighter weight could reduce those emissions compared to heavier PVC cards. Its biodegradable nature also avoids the long-term environmental costs of plastic decomposition. Ricoh's impressive ESG credentials, including low-energy printing, further reduce the overall footprint.

These validations position Enviricard as the only independently certified alternative to plastic cards, enabling users to confidently replace PVC without compromising quality or efficiency.

Strategic Partnerships: Amplifying Impact

Enviricard's collaborations amplify its sustainability mission:
Cvent Partnership: Announced in October 2025, this global alliance integrates Enviricard into Cvent's event technology platform for check-in, on-demand printing, and attendance tracking. Following a successful U.S. launch at Cvent CONNECT, the partnership debuted in Europe at IMEX London, helping event professionals reduce plastic waste while aligning with corporate responsibility goals.
Holmen and Ricoh: Holmen's leadership in low-impact paperboard production—through forest management and reduced manufacturing emissions—sets an industry benchmark. Ricoh's sustainable printing technologies ensure Enviricard's production remains eco-friendly from start to finish.