Small steps add up to big changes and that’s the plan behind Earlybird Designs’ Small Acts of Sustainability project that gives people simple ideas about what they can do to upcycle their greeting cards, giftwrap and foil balloons once the celebrations are over.
The Small Acts Of Sustainability project has seen the publisher and retailer create a window display at its Stoke Newington store, create posters of explanations of how to continue the lifecycle of greetings products as well as launch a social media campaign.
Earlybird’s upcycling tips, which have been shared on Instagram, inspire people to turn used greeting cards into gift tags, cake toppers, origami birds, and paper leaves, while spent foil balloons can be used as gift wrap and used giftwrap can be reused to jazz up plant pots.
Heidi Early, co-owner of Earlybird, told PG Buzz: “We’ve had a lovely response from customers so far, and I think it’s something other small businesses could easily replicate for their customers too.
“We are all aware of the need to reduce our environmental impact and these fun upcycling ideas and sustainability facts are just small steps in this.”
For easy cake toppers, all people need to do is cut out the image from the card, tape a tooth pick or skewer to the back, and top cupcakes or cakes with this easy decoration. And the classic of framing a lovely card for beautiful – and cheap – interior décor is also an idea shared.
With sustainability an important part of the company’s ethos, Earlybird has also been working with Hartgraph Print in Amersham to launch new eco packaging for its small thank you card packs. The plastic-free boxes use FSC-accredited recycled board that’s carbon-balanced, and can be seen at PG Live on Earlybird’s stand 162.
