ESG reporting can feel like a daunting task, filled with acronyms and data points. For businesses, from agile startups to established corporations, the pressure to demonstrate environmental, social and governance accountability has never been greater. It's no longer just a "nice to have"; it's a critical tool for attracting purpose-driven investors, building brand trust with conscious consumers and demonstrating a genuine commitment to a sustainable future.
An ESG report is a comprehensive disclosure of a company's activities in the three key areas of Environmental, Social, and Governance. Its purpose is to go beyond financial metrics and provide a holistic view of an organisation’s impact on the world. But what, specifically, do you need to include in a credible ESG report? And how can a seemingly small detail, like the type of card you use, provide a powerful solution?
At Enviricard, we believe that every choice your business makes sends a message. That’s why we’ve developed a product that not only offers a high-quality alternative to traditional plastic cards but also comes with the precise data and accreditations you need to satisfy the most challenging parts of your ESG reporting.
The three pillars of ESG
To build a truly impactful report, you must understand the data and narrative required for each of the three pillars.
1. The environmental (E) pillar - measuring your ecological footprint
The environmental pillar focuses on your company's impact on the planet. This includes everything from carbon emissions to waste management and resource consumption. For many businesses, collecting this data can be a significant hurdle. They know they need to report on their carbon footprint, but they lack the tools or verifiable data to do so accurately.
This is where Enviricard provides a clear and compelling solution. Our products are not just "green"; they are "Carbon Measured." We have partnered with CarbonQuota, an independent third-party expert, to conduct a comprehensive life-cycle assessment of our cards. This study provides the exact, verifiable data points that are essential for a credible environmental report.
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Carbon Footprint - Our cards offer a carbon footprint that is up to 57% lower than their PVC plastic equivalents. This is not a rough estimate—it is a precise, verified figure based on a detailed study. For a typical production run of 450,000 cards, Enviricard products generated a carbon footprint of 3,917 kg CO₂e, compared to 9,031 kg CO₂e for the same number of PVC cards. That’s the carbon equivalent of boiling a kettle over 500,000 times.
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Responsible Sourcing - The study also revealed that the paperboard substrate alone, which is the core of our cards, has an 88% lower carbon footprint than its plastic alternative. This is because we use responsibly sourced paperboard from Holmen Iggesund, a company with an outstanding track record for sustainable forestry practices.
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Waste and End-of-Life - While traditional PVC cards can take hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to landfill waste and "floating garbage islands," our cards are designed with a more responsible end-of-life in mind. Comprised of a paperboard body and a bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) laminate, our products can biodegrade in a suitable industrial composting facility. This demonstrates a commitment to circularity and responsible waste management, two key areas of environmental reporting.
By choosing Enviricard, you are not just making a sustainable choice; you are acquiring an asset for your ESG report. The data from our CarbonQuota study can be directly integrated into your disclosure, providing clear evidence of your efforts to reduce your environmental impact.
2. The social (S) pillar - connecting with your stakeholders
The social pillar refers to a company's relationships with its employees, customers, suppliers, and the communities in which it operates. It covers everything from diversity and inclusion to labour practices and product safety. For many businesses, one of the biggest social challenges is demonstrating a genuine commitment to a cause beyond just corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Here, Enviricard serves as a tangible representation of your brand's values. A card for a business, whether it's an ID card, a loyalty card, or a gift card, is often a physical touchpoint with your customers and employees. In an era where consumers are increasingly drawn to businesses that prove they share their values, choosing a plastic-free alternative sends a powerful message.
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Tangible Commitment: Using an Enviricard shows that your company is actively working to reduce plastic pollution, a major global social concern. It signals to your customers that you care about the planet and are willing to take concrete steps to make a difference.
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Accredited Trust: Our cards are the first in the world to be awarded the Plastic Free Accreditation Mark on our products. This third-party mark is a badge of honour that provides immediate credibility and trust. Including this accreditation in your ESG report provides a straightforward and impactful way to demonstrate your social responsibility and efforts to combat the plastic crisis.
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Internal Values: For ID or employee access cards, using a sustainable product reinforces your company's values internally. It shows your team that you don't just talk about sustainability—you live it through your choices, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.
3. The governance (G) pillar - transparency and credibility
The governance pillar addresses how a company is run, including its leadership, transparency, and ethical practices. For your ESG report, this pillar requires a clear articulation of your processes for ensuring accountability and making decisions that are aligned with your values.
While our products don't directly influence board composition, the way we provide our data is a perfect example of strong governance. We don't just claim to be a lower-carbon product; we back it up with independently verified, third-party data from CarbonQuota.
This commitment to transparency and truth is a core element of good governance. By using a product with this level of independent verification, you demonstrate to your stakeholders that you prioritise honest, data-driven reporting over vague, unproven claims. This helps you avoid the risk of greenwashing and builds long-term trust.
The challenge of greenwashing and the solution of accreditation
In today's market, the risk of "greenwashing" (when a company makes misleading claims about its environmental practices) is a serious concern. However, there is a growing savviness among consumers and investors. Without credible evidence, your sustainability claims can backfire, eroding trust and damaging your brand reputation.
The solution is not to avoid talking about sustainability but to back up every claim with verifiable data and independent accreditations. This is the core of the Enviricard value proposition. We give you the ammunition you need to prove your sustainability claims in your ESG report. Our CarbonQuota certification and Plastic Free Accreditation provide a clear, third-party stamp of approval that your customers, investors, and stakeholders can trust.
A small change, a big impact
Your ESG report is more than just a document—it's a narrative that tells the story of your company's values and impact. Making that story compelling and credible starts with the right choices.
By partnering with Enviricard, you’re not just switching to a more sustainable card; you’re acquiring a tool for your ESG report that provides the verifiable data and accreditations you need to tell a powerful story. It's a small change that can have a dramatic impact on your brand's reputation, your connection with customers, and your journey toward a more sustainable future.
Ready to make your ESG report more robust and credible? Contact us today to learn how our plastic-free cards can not only elevate your brand but also provide the essential data you need for your next ESG report. Visit our website to explore our products and certifications.