When I think of greeting cards I think of waste -- all that paper, all that cliche. Hallmark Business Expressions, a subsidiary of Hallmark Cards Inc., recently announced a line of green holiday greeting cards that's making me rethink my initial thoughts on the subject. The nine eco-friendly cards are made from from 50 percent sugar cane pulp and 50 percent recycled paper. "Businesses can truly make a lasting impression this holiday season with these business holiday cards while reflecting their company values," said Marc Wagenheim, product marketing director for Hallmark Business Expressions. "We are pleased to provide the opportunity to collaborate with our customers to be responsible stewards of the planet."

Hallmark, the largest manufacturer of greeting cards in the US., is not alone in this emerging trend. Independent greeting card manufacturers are getting in on the act as well. From Sustanableisgood: "Brynne Cogorna, owner of Backward Prints is one such innovator. 'I started an eco-friendly greeting card line using paper that is tree-free and grows flowers once watered and planted.'" And GoodHumans also has Grow-A-Note greeting cards. "The perfect way to send a heartfelt thank you to someone special! Besides your note, each grow-a-note seed embedded card is a gift that can be planted."

There's nothing cliche about that.

[Image: GoodHumans]