ONE STEP IN A “BROADER” SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY
By eliminating the production, distribution and disposal of physical name cards, companies can significantly reduce their paper consumption, energy usage and waste generation, said Singapore Environment Council executive director Jen Teo.
However, she pointed out that this is “just one step in a broader journey toward sustainability”.
Some other measures that firms can take to further reduce their carbon footprint include adopting energy-efficient technology, implementing effective waste management systems such as recycling and composting programmes, and promoting the use of reusable products among employees, said Ms Teo.
“Ultimately, it is crucial to understand that sustainability is a whole organisation effort that encompasses social, economic and environmental considerations,” she added.
Nevertheless, two printing companies said they have been receiving more orders for physical business cards in recent months. One has been getting more orders than before the COVID-19 pandemic struck in early 2020.
A spokesperson from Gogoprint said its orders declined 75 per cent in March 2020. Orders picked up again last year when borders reopened and are now at 30 per cent more than pre-COVID levels, she added.
The company has launched NFC cards due to demand from customers requesting “innovative solutions” for business cards, she said.
“During COVID, there was an increasing importance of networking and a growing need for contactless solutions. (NFC cards) are eco-friendly and reduce paper wastage. They also offer a convenient and hassle-free way of exchanging contact information,” the Gogoprint spokesperson said.
Ms Fatin Aris, sales coordinator at Print Market, said demand for printed cards has risen since the pandemic “ended”. The printing firm mainly received orders for stickers during that period due to the rise in home-based businesses.
“I hope it continues to stay this way,” she added.