Green Business Cards That Grow With Your Business

Business card may have started out as early as in 15th century China, but today they are essential tools of trade. Consider business cards as an extension of your business when you are not present. More businesses may be sprouting online, but as long as human socialisation exists so too will the business card. Online social networking may be a great way to spread the word of your business, but the old faithful business card still works wonders at cocktail parties. With green consciousness growing it seems the popularity of green business cards, are growing too, literally. But just how green would you go to grow your business? Take a look at these green business cards that even grow.

The Grow Card By Thijs Biersteker image:www.allgraphics.com

Pictured above is green card by London Designer Jamie Wieck

His concept was “to design a business card that a prospective client would want to keep on their table rather than in their pocket.“-www.jamiewieck.com

The result was a business card would function as a miniature house-plant, growing alfalfa or cress when dipped in water.

The second green business card is THE GROW CARD concept created by designer Thijs Biersteker (left).

As wonderful as the concept of a card growing business card may be, you would have to rely on the client to ensure that plant stays alive on the other hand it will stand out from all the other cards since this one has to be kept out on the desk.

Perhaps the bloomin card could last longer of the two since this card has the logo also cut into a ’seed stencil’ that allows the logo to be grown on either earth or lawn, this way your company’s logo is guaranteed green presence, but both options will definitely depend on the clients care of the plant.

So What does make a Business Card a Green Business Card?

When it comes to growing your business I’m afraid the colour of your business card alone will not guarantee the success of your business.After all going green is a way of life and not just a colour or a theme.So in opting for a green business card, you don’t have to jump onto the green bandwagon by growing plants or colour your card green, but do try to incorporate the big R into your business card for a long term sustainable business promotion tool.This will benefit both your business and the planet.

Think green then think REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE not just in terms of the material of your business card but also its function. The more useful the card is, the more frequently it is used- then the more frequent will word of your business spread through the usefulness of your business card.

Other crucial elements to your green business card include;

• TYPE OF PAPER- Recycled ,biodegradable
• TYPE OF INK-Nontoxic inks, vegetable based products.
• YOUR PRINT COMPANY- What are they doing to reduce their carbon footprint? Do they have ethical work practice and low energy consumption or perhaps using alternative energy sources to power their operation?

Below are a few examples of eco conscious cards making use of recycled or biodegradable material and business cards with purpose.

When it comes to reducing your paper trail, i.e. opting for business card options which do not include paper, then you are spoilt for choice. Hmm, lets see well,there’s laser cut leaves, yes you read right , leaves!

Tatlin Design

The Design Firm Tatil Design of Brazil won the Bronze Award for the 2009 International Design Excellence Awards in Eco Design for their “Designing Naturally” workshop in Natural Medium, which is what they call their amazing laser cut leaves. (Featured in inhabitat.com).

Looks like they may have started a trend, with autumn on its way, we could see alot more leafy cards making their way around. Charming as they are, leaves are a short term solution for promotions, without the introduction of preservatives your leaf business card could end up as compost.

This make work if your’e promoting garden supplies,if not then you may want to look in the direction of eco tech for a more sustainable solution to promote your business.Here are a few fun and useful alternative business cards with a purpose;

Eco Tech

• THE USB BUSINESS CARD-M++CARD is a Business card which includes memory storage on the rear side of the card. similar to the Sony M2 Card.
• Two slits on the card make it possible to snap on a USB adopter, through which this card can be accessed.
• Related data can be stored on this card making this your ultimate business card. Company info card, website card, and product info card the potential uses are endless.

Multi Functional Business Cards

A plastic bottle opener or toothpicks may not seem appropriate business cards, but whether you are in the restaurant business or not, both these tools can come in handy to just about anyone

It may appear like the ice age commeth right now as tempeartures reach below freezing, but  Spring is just around the corner and you may want to take a look at these fantastic plastic Dopie Sandals to give you  a spring into the new season and tread lightly on the planet.

Designed by Matthew Harrison, Dopie Sandals are undoubtly the lighteste soles around.Made by  Tera Plana , Dopie Sandals were the result of a search for a sandal in a simpler and pure form. It is  a single shape sole which prtects the foot whilsts comfortably fitting between the toes for a firm fit. An optional strap is provided to add extra functionality to DOPIE beginners.

The Dopie Sandal is light and flexible.The combination EVA and rubber construction provides the perfect balan

ce of comfort and flexibility.As if they don’t seem too good to be true the Dope Sandals are also affordably priced at $30 per pair from a number of sellers including amazon, a small price to pay for comfort and the planet.

www.schiavello.com

Houseplants are truly a breath of fresh air to any environment home or work. Besides literally cleaning the air by taking in the carbon dioxide we expel and turning it back into Oxygen. Indoor houseplants are also easy on the eye and caring for them can even help to relieve stress.Do keep in mind that indoor houseplants also require , care, water and sunlight in order to thrive. If you are a novice at growing indoor houseplants then here are a few tips how to choose indoor houseplants that suite your lifestyle.

SUNLIGHT

Determining how much light is available may be the first consideration you should make when you choose indoor houseplants.

All plants require some sunlight in order to grow, but some are shade lovers while others need several hours of strong light each day. Spend a few days observing windows and skylights in order to determine how much direct light beams through and at what time of day.

Most plants feature information regarding how much light is required, so choose accordingly;

• High Light: areas within four feet of large south-east or west facing windows.
• 
  Medium Light: locations in a range of four to eight feet from south and east windows and west windows that do not receive direct sun.
• Low Light: areas more than eight feet from windows as in the center of a room, a hallway or an inside wall. Northern exposures often fall into this category, even close to the window. Many locations that receive only artificial light are also low light situations.

TIME

Everyone, these days has a busy schedule.One of the most important factors in selecting indoor houseplants is time. Consider how much time the plants you select will require relative to how hectic your schedule is. Some plants require a constant level of pH and moisture, and may need watering at specific times of day.So i you work a 9-5 job 5 days a week you are more likely to spend most of your time tending to your indoor houseplants on the weekend then you should try houseplants like cacti which can live several weeks without water. I can testify this is true.I have one catii which I’ve had for over a year now and it still looks as good as it did last year.