Sustainability
In a hotel's plastic reduction programme the key card is a small but highly visible item — guests hold it every day. This page sets out what each material actually solves and what it does not, as decision information rather than a marketing promise.
- Natural bodies
- Wood, bamboo, paper, bioboard
- Circular
- Recycled PVC, re-encoding programmes
- Plant-based
- PLA — needs industrial composting
- Packaging
- Kraft boxes, paper banding, plastic-free
1. Raw material
Wood and bamboo: renewable sources with a body that breaks down after use. The choice only carries weight when the source can be documented as responsibly managed.
Recycled PVC: keeps the familiar card feel without producing new plastic. It does not remove plastic — it recirculates it. PLA: plant-based bioplastic that needs industrial composting; it will not break down in domestic conditions.
Recycled paper and bioboard: the lowest material load, but limited resistance to moisture and repeated use — best for short stays and events.
2. Production
We use laser engraving on wood and bamboo: no tooling, no ink or solvent, viable at low volumes. UV print is used where colour artwork is required.
Whatever the body material, the antenna and chip inside remain electronic components. That is why we do not describe any card as fully biodegradable — the accurate statement is that the body is made from a natural material.
3. Packaging and transport
Cards can ship in kraft boxes with paper banding; plastic shrink wrap is not required. Consolidating orders reduces transport impact noticeably compared with frequent small shipments.
4. After use
The most effective way to extend a card's life is reuse: cards collected at check-out can be re-encoded and stay in circulation for years. Wood and recycled PVC bodies suit this cycle best.
At disposal the chip and antenna need separating. We recommend setting up a collection routine that matches your property's waste management process.
What you can put in your report
Write verifiable sentences: 'key card bodies produced from FSC-sourced wood', 'cards shipped in kraft packaging', 'cards collected at check-out and re-encoded'. Avoid unmeasured carbon-neutral claims.
On request we provide the material and packaging details of your specific order in writing so they can be attached to your report.
Frequently asked questions
+Is an RFID card fully biodegradable?
No. The body can be wood or paper, but the antenna and chip are electronic components. The accurate claim is that the body is made from a natural material.
+Does a PLA card really compost?
PLA breaks down under industrial composting conditions. Without such a facility nearby the benefit is limited, and wood or recycled PVC is the more consistent choice.
+Does recycled PVC still count as plastic?
Yes, rPVC is plastic. The difference is that it recirculates existing material instead of creating new, with the same durability as a conventional card.
+Do you hold a carbon-neutral certificate?
We do not publish unverified carbon-neutral claims. We do provide documented information on material source, production method and packaging for each order.
Related pages
Material comparison sample
We send a comparison set so you can see wood, bamboo, paper, recycled PVC and PLA bodies side by side.