Ecology and sustainability: how digital business cards cooperate with the environment

Digital business cards are both ecological and economical communication tools, thus becoming very useful resources for companies and professionals.

Raquel Medeiros

By 

Raquel Medeiros

Published 

March 7, 2023

Ecology and sustainability, environment protection support image

The concern with the preservation of the environment has become more and more urgent all over the world. The search for sustainable solutions to reduce the environmental impacts caused by the production and consumption of materials has been one of the main agendas of today's society. In this context, digital business cards emerge as a modern and ecologically correct alternative to meet these needs.

Digital business cards are a virtual version of traditional printed cards. They can be shared through applications or online platforms, allowing professional information to be always up to date and accessible at any time.

By opting for digital business cards, you are contributing to reducing the consumption of paper, ink and electricity used in the production of printed cards.

In addition, eliminating the disposal of these materials is also an important benefit for the environment.

Second data from Organics News Brasil (2023) , world paper production consumes about 4% of the electricity generated on the planet and is responsible for 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

It is estimated that 50% of the paper used in the world is destined to the production of disposable papers, such as business cards .

In addition to the environmental issue, digital business cards have other advantages over printed ones. Check out some of them:

  • Real-time update: With just a few clicks, you can update professional information on your digital cards;

  • Greater convenience: No need to carry multiple physical cards in your wallet or purse;

  • More security: The data stored on your digital cards are protected by passwords or biometrics;

  • Ease of sharing: It is possible to share your professional contacts with others through your cell phone or computer.

Another ecological solution on the market for the use of sustainable technology in networking is the NFC card as a contact sharing tool .

Two professionals sharing digital business card through NFC tool

NFC card as a networking feature

According to a research carried out by Statista in 2021, it is estimated that by 2024 there will be more than 2 billion users using mobile devices compatible with NFC technology worldwide. This means that more and more people will be able to receive information via the NFC Card.

Furthermore, according to a research conducted by Printsome in 2019 , around 88% of physical cards distributed are thrown away within the first seven days of being received. This shows that physical cards are often not effective when it comes to keeping in touch with potential customers or business partners.

the use of NFC card as a digital card sharing tool is an increasingly present trend in today's market. It also brings innovation and modernity to the way we relate professionally.

The NFC Card is a smart card that uses Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to transmit information wirelessly. With it, you can share your personal and professional data with other people just by bringing your card close to their device .

In addition to being practical when sharing information, the NFC Card offers other advantages:

  • Sustainability: when using a digital card, you avoid wasting paper and contribute to the preservation of the environment by not having to make copies of it;

  • Economy: instead of spending money on constant printing of physical cards, you can invest in a single durable and reusable NFC Card;

  • Personalization: You can customize the design of your NFC Card with your company or personal brand colors and logos.

To share your data through the NFC Card, just bring your card to the other person's device.

The cell phone or tablet needs to support NFC technology for the transmission to take place.

When bringing the two devices together, a notification will appear on the screen asking if she wants to receive the information contained in her NFC Card. If she accepts, the data will be transferred automatically in New Contact format with all fields already filled in and ready to be saved in her phonebook.

If your connection does not have a device with the NFC feature, with ClickCard you can request your card model with the QR Code of your digital business card attached to the back . In this way, people who use cell phones that do not have the tool can scan it and access their digital business card in the same way.

Ecobag as an example of Green Design

Green Design Principles used in digital cards

With the growing concern for the environment, many companies are adopting sustainable practices in their businesses. One of the ways to do this is through green design, which consists of using ecologically correct materials and processes in the production of products and services .

You Digital business cards are an excellent option for those who want to adopt sustainable practices in their business . In addition to being more practical and modern than traditional cards, they are also much more environmentally friendly.

Here are some green design principles that can be applied to digital business cards:

1. Minimize non-renewable energy consumption

When creating a digital business card, it is important to minimize the consumption of non-renewable energy. This can be done by choosing servers and providers that use renewable energy sources such as solar or wind energy.

2. Use environmentally friendly materials

Use ecologically correct materials in the production of digital cards. This includes choosing sustainable sources of paper or biodegradable plastic.

3. Optimize the site's potential

When creating a digital card, it is important to optimize the potential of the website where it will be hosted. That is, ensuring that the website is easy to use and accessible to all users, regardless of their geographic location or technical skills.

4. Ensuring product durability

Finally, it is important to ensure that digital cards are durable and can be used for a long time without having to be replaced frequently. This can be achieved by choosing the best materials available on the market.

At ClickCard the above principles are used for digital business card and NFC production.

Person sharing his contact information through his digital business card on mobile phone

Ecological and economic advantages for companies to adopt digital business cards

Business cards are an important tool for any company, as they help create connections and expand the network of contacts.

However, traditional paper business cards have a negative impact on the environment and can be costly for businesses . Therefore, more and more companies are adopting digital business cards as a more sustainable and economical alternative.

Learn about some benefits of using digital cards for corporations:

Ecological advantages

While paper cards end up piling up in drawers or getting thrown away, digital ones can be easily shared via email or message.

Furthermore, they do not require the use of natural resources like trees and water for their production.

According to a study by the University of British Columbia , annual global paper production consumes about 4 billion trees.

By opting for digital cards, companies can make a significant contribution to preserving the environment.

Economic advantages

Have you ever stopped to think about how much your company spends annually on printing business cards? In addition to the financial cost, there is also the environmental impact caused by wasted paper and ink. But don't worry, there are solutions to reduce these expenses and still contribute to a more sustainable world.

In addition to the environmental advantages, digital business cards also offer economic benefits to companies. First, they eliminate the cost of printing paper cards; second, they allow information to be updated easily without having to print new cards.

According to a survey carried out by the Conquest Graphics , the average cost to print 500 custom business cards is around $50. This value can increase significantly depending on the quantity and quality of the materials used. Since many times the cards end up being discarded or forgotten in drawers, becoming an even greater waste.

In addition, it is important to remember that other areas of the company may also be generating unnecessary costs. For example, excessive printing of documents or reports can be a huge financial and environmental waste.

Investing in technologies that allow the electronic management of these documents can be an efficient solution.

In summary, adopting digital business cards is a smart choice from both an environmental and economic point of view. They are more sustainable because they do not require natural resources in their production and avoid unnecessary disposal in the environment.

If you haven't already adopted this practice in your company, consider making this change right now by contacting ClickCard!

Team in company discussing ecological methods and solutions for the future of the company

Strategies to implement sustainable practices when using digital business cards in companies

With growing environmental concerns, it is important that companies adopt sustainable practices in their operations . One of the ways to do this is through the use of digital business cards, which, in addition to being more practical and modern, are also a more sustainable option than traditional cards printed on paper.

According to a recent survey, around 50 million tons of electronic waste are generated annually in the world. This includes materials such as cell phones, computers and other electronic devices.

By using digital business cards, companies can contribute to reducing that number and help preserve the environment.

But how to implement this practice in your company?

Here are some tips:

1. Use online platforms to create your cards

There are several online platforms that allow you to create personalized digital business cards. Many of them offer free or affordable options. By opting for this alternative, you will be saving financial resources and contributing to the reduction of paper use.

2. Encourage your employees to use digital cards

In addition to creating the company's own digital cards, it is important to encourage employees to use this option instead of traditional cards printed on paper. For this, you can offer training on the subject and explain the benefits of this practice.

3. Disclose your sustainable option to customers

When using digital business cards in your company, it is important to disclose this option to your customers and business partners. This not only demonstrates its commitment to the environment, but can also be a competitive advantage in the market.

4. Monitor your results

Finally, it is important to monitor the results of implementing this practice. You can track metrics such as the number of digital cards created and used by employees and customers, as well as the environmental impact of reducing paper usage.

By adopting these strategies to implement sustainable practices when using a digital business card in your company, you will be contributing to a more sustainable and conscious future.

Person accessing the ClickCard app to create their digital business card

How to create a digital business card with ClickCard

Digital business cards are increasingly popular and are a modern and sustainable alternative to traditional printed business cards.

With ClickCard, you can create a personalized digital business card and easily share it with your contacts, without negatively affecting the environment.

ClickCard is an application that allows the creation, sharing and analysis of digital business cards. Through the App, you can customize your card with your professional information such as name, photo, position, company, phone, email and social networks.

Creating a digital business card at ClickCard is very easy! Just follow the following steps:

  1. Download the ClickCard application ( Android or Iphone ) and register;

  1. Fill in your personal and professional information in the indicated fields;

  1. Choose your card design from the available options;

  1. Add your photo or company logo;

  1. Customize your card colors and background;

  1. Add links to your social networks.

  1. Click "Save" to finish.

Ready! Your digital business card is ready to be shared with your contacts.

If your registration data is linked to the domain of a corporation, the template will be the default for the entire company, including you. Therefore, the professional information available for editing is that which the administrator manager gives access to change.

That is, the company has full control of the data of its employees and their digital business cards, thus being able to standardize their personalization for all holders.

Creating a digital business card with ClickCard is a great option for anyone looking for practicality and sustainability.

The platform offers several customization options to make your card even more professional and attractive, in addition to covering many sharing features.

Try creating your own template right now on the ClickCard platform or contact our creative team to request a template!

Improve your company's image and communication without having to affect the environment.

Stay in the know

Get the latest product and management insights.

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.