Update: This giveaway is now over and closed to new entries.
With BlogHer right around the corner, I’ve been frantically trying to figure out if and where I should get business cards. Of course being a tree hugger, I’m not over the moon excited about the prospect of trees getting cut down just so I can promote my blog, but I also can’t imagine going to BlogHer without cards. I decided to justify it by considering that every new person who decides to visit my blog as a result of getting my card is another person who may choose to live a greener lifestyle. And so I compromised - I got business cards, but made sure they were as eco-friendly as possible.
Lucky for me, I found Uprinting - a company that makes eco-friendly business cards. The cards I got are made from 30% post consumer recycled stock, are uncoated and printed with vegetable-based inks instead of traditional petroleum inks. And the cards look good - really good. :) Hooray for eco-friendly online printing!
Here’s a little peek at the front of mine (this pic doesn’t do it justice):
The back is a pic of me and my kiddos. Corny? Probably, but I don’t care. ;P
Win It!
Now’s your chance to win some eco-friendly business cards of your own! Uprinting is offering a set of 500 eco-friendly business cards to TWO lucky Crunchy Domestic Goddess readers. All you have to do to be entered to win is subscribe to my blog (if you aren’t already) and leave me a comment with one earth-friendly tip. In order to insure that the winners have time to get her cards before BlogHer, the winners will be chosen using Random.org on Wednesday, July 15, at noon. Be sure to leave a valid email address so I can contact you if you win. Of course, you don’t have to be attending BlogHer to enter to win, I just figured I’d make an early deadline in case someone wants to get their cards in time for BlogHer. :) Oh, one more thing, Uprinting has asked that the winners pay for shipping on their cards. Good luck!
Stumble it!
Veronica says:
It’s still all about the reusable water bottles for me. Plus does everyone know you can get ‘mugs’ for all those fabu summer drinks we get at coffee shops or juice bars? Some are insulated enough to make your drinks last twice as long!
July 12th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Summer says:
Oh, I want to win!!!!! You know I’m already subscribed. :) My tip: Reusable shopping bags! No more plastic and paper mess, just get a good tote bag and fill it up.
July 12th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Scylla says:
I applaud your choice and thank you for finding it. I had a very hard time locating a solid eco-friendly card printing choice for my business cards, and will have to choose them for the next batch.
Hmmm… earth friendly tip… choose to give a donation to a land trust in lieu of a traditional present to that person who has everything this year. Southern Plains Land Trust is a good example of an organization that is saving the planet, one acre at a time. http://www.southernplains.org/?q=dedicate
July 12th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Hannah says:
My tip is to take a few extra seconds while at the store and ask yourself some questions before purchasing…
1. Is this something I really need to buy, or could I use something I already have, make something similar with materials I already have, or do without altogether?
2. What is the projected usage life of this item?
3. How will it be disposed of when we are no longer using it?
I find that I give in to more impulse buys for things I otherwise would not have purchased when my daughter is with me, so whenever possible, I shop alone. Then I can take the time I need to shop and consider before putting certain items in my cart. We save money as well as make it easier on ourelves from giving into the pressure to be mega-consumers, which the Planet really appreciates!
July 12th, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Penny Mudd says:
Herr’s a tip: see if you can beg, borrow or steal an old wine barrel. With $10 in new fittings from hardware store, you should be able (with a drill for new hole on the top) to jigger together a spout from one of your existing rain gutters on your house to empty into wine barrel. Result: 60 gal. extra water for gardening, outdoor shower or emergency reserve.
July 12th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Frugal Femina says:
Our Christmas tree each year is one that we can plant after the holiday. It brings back great memories seeing all the trees in the yard.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:54 am
Robin says:
If you can walk there, walk. Or bike. Use your car as little as possible. You’ll save money, get exercise, and you’ll feel a lot better doing it.
July 13th, 2009 at 4:56 am
Rachel says:
I’m already subscribed. :)
My tip: Buy seasonal local low chemical/organic produce as often as possible. You can find it at farmer’s markets and through community supported agriculture.
If you have the time, buy in quantity and can or freeze when it’s in season for better quality, tastier food throughout the year. I’m writing posts about preserving food on my blog - it really is easy and fun!
July 13th, 2009 at 6:25 am
kat says:
cute cards!
my tip: use a programmable thermostat. it helps save on energy and on bills!
July 13th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Joanne Dewberry says:
Ooooo So cute :)
Tip :- keep all the pre-paid envelopes that banks send you and open your mail and parcels carefully so that you can reuse envelopes, jiffy bags and wrapping paper … eco and WALLET friendly :)
July 13th, 2009 at 9:29 am
chelle says:
I already subscribe so for my eco friendly tip …. Use a push mower, not only are you kinder to the environment, you are not making noise pollution too!
July 13th, 2009 at 9:38 am
May says:
My tip is to unsubscribe from junk mailers! It saves thousands of trees, gallons of water and lots of landfill space.
July 13th, 2009 at 9:49 am
kia says:
My biggest eco-tip, vote with your dollar. Use your dollar to voice your conscience with the kinds of resources you feel comfortable extracting. It is small, deliberate, and something we can do with great frequency.
July 13th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Angela says:
Use concentrated cleaning supplies (such as Shaklee Basic H2) and mix up your own supply. The cleaners last much longer are safe for the environment and you are saving thousands of platic bottles from entering the landfills. Plus, you get the peace of mind knowing that your house is clean and SAFE for you and your family.
July 13th, 2009 at 10:33 am
* TONYA * says:
This couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. I’ve seen a few people showing off their business cards for BlogHer and was just thinking this morning that I am cutting it pretty darn close to get some for myself.
Yours are gorgeous and I’m all about making them as eco friendly as possible.
July 13th, 2009 at 11:51 am
hillary says:
I would love to win the business cards!
Already subscribed and my tip:
Give up the lawn and grow food! Yards are so much more fun and usable when used to grow gardens! Make hideaway path and sunflower hide-outs for the kids! Send them out before dinner to pick lettuce and veggies for the salad!
July 13th, 2009 at 11:52 am
* TONYA * says:
bugger, hit publish before adding my tip, I was way too excited I think ha ha
My tip: I refuse to use plastic plates and cutlery for parties or picnics. Instead I use a set that are dishwasher safe, yet unbreakable, they are called Preserve.
July 13th, 2009 at 11:54 am
robin says:
I need business cards! How serendipitous! I’m already subscribed :)
My tip: My daughter is turning 5 Wednesday and I’ve asked for NO STUFF; rather that each person contribute to a class for her, or take her out on a day outing. Doesn’t have to be expensive, a picnic and hike at the park is fine! I’d like to make this a regular thing, cutting back on our plastic intake, and encouraging our kids and extended family to bond.
July 13th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
Lil says:
Sweet! What a good giveaway!
My tip: Bike more. It’s better for everyone.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Michelle @ Find Your Balance says:
that’s cool! can you use your own artwork? very responsible of you to find an environmentally-friendly option!
July 13th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Green Me Alison says:
Sweet indeed! Literally! I may not be going to BlogHer, but I am hoping to seriously get my vegan cupcake business going for real after our move!
Tip: Close up your windows and shutters during the day and open them all up at night (shut them again around 6 am) to keep you house cool without turning on the AC!
P.s. Your cards are super cute!
July 13th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Evelyn Wenzel says:
my tip would be to do one load of laundry a day…it’s easier on your washer and dryer and you’ll need less clothes because they’ll always already be clean :)
July 13th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Jen Mueller says:
Very simple tip - think before buying. Do you need it? do you already have something that could do the job? could you borrow it? will this one last?
subscribing now.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Brekke says:
Oh man, I’ve never been to blogher, and after seeing noise about what to wear and business cards I think I am going to be in WAY over my head.
In light of that, I would love to win some cards.
I’m signed up to your RSS I hope that counts as being subscribed and my tip is to support local green businesses. Look around, I’m sure there are bakeries, grocery stores or just local organic farmers that could use your support.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Lynsey Peterson says:
I love me a good giveaway. :) My tip is rather dumb considering all of these good ones. :) A large, high powered fan placed at the bottom of stairs in an unfinished basement, pointed up the stairs, blows an amazing amount of cool air up to your main floor, thus keeping from having to run A/C.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Elliott - 21st Century Dad says:
There are some AWESOME tips here!
When my daughter was an infant, I used to sterilize the breast pump parts in boiling water I subsequently used to boil pasta, potatoes, or vegetables. The water is a bit starchy afterwards, but it’s still suitable to boil seitan after that.
I was subscribed via email, but once I set up my GMail/iGoogle, I switched it over.
July 13th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
N. says:
I’m already a subscriber and my tip would be wear it again- are your clothes really dirty or can they be worn again before washing, think about it.
July 13th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
DeAnna C says:
Amy,
Great idea. I have been waiting on business cards because…frankly all my other business materials are made from recycled materials (including the jewelry I produce and packaging) and I just didn’t see a lot out there. Sounds like you found a great source.
My “green” tip is just what you hit on here…. if you are a business owner there are so many ways you can go green and it is not always more expensive. If you are overwhelmed with where to start with something small like how much marketing materials you print for your customers. I am a wholesale artist and when I started out I printed these beautiful retailer and press catalogs. Now there is no reason you can’t go to a website or send things electronically. If someone wants something “in hand” I have small post cards with photos of my work and story behind my business. Way easier to carry as well. It’s what I use as a “take-away” for my retailers. Some just need to start with a recycle bin. Amazing what we discard that can either be reused or recycled. I even created a bracelet that has been a huge hit from water bottles that were being discarded by my church. Now, over 100+ (and counting) plastic bottles that would have been put into landfills are now wearable art available in galleries, LOL.
July 13th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Jennifer says:
I’m a subscriber already.
My tip: This year, we’re freezing local, in season foods to use for the winter. It won’t be everything we need but it will reduce both our food miles & the plastic / cans used to preserve foods.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Liz Jenkins says:
I am a subscriber already.
So many great tips already used-but here’s one: we produce less than 1 bag of garbage a week and most of that is cat litter because we recycle everything we can, and any food waste either gets eaten by the dog or composted. Our dog is super healthy, and so is our compost which feed our garden and plants.
I love these cards - I just realized I was down to just a few and was planning on ordering more this week.
July 13th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
April ~ EnchantedDandelions says:
Two words: cloth diapers. I think a lot of people don’t even consider them, thinking they are the “old school” type of safety pins and rubber pants, but modern cloth diapers are so easy to use, easy to wash, and OH so cute! Definitely worth looking into, as it is estimated that the average baby will create one TON of landfill waste in the form of disposable diapers. A ton. Yuck, uh?
Just subscribed via Bloglines. Would love to win these cards to promote my Etsy shop. :D
July 13th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Alexandra Velazquez says:
Hi! I’m already subscribed, so my eco-friendly tip is: Go vegetarian! Factory farms contribute greatly to global warming.
ps. I really enjoy reading your blog!
July 13th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
phyllis says:
i’m a subscriber.
my green tip (altho i didn’t read them ALL so i might be duplicating) - reusable grocery bags and water bottles. i definitely feel like i’m saving the earth:-)
July 13th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Brandie says:
You have just bumped The New Scientist down a notch on my reader :)
My tip is composting! I have two composters; a worm composter in the basement and a rotating barrel composter in the back yard for when the worms are overloaded. This is especially important around canning time.
Every day we make choices that impact the rest of our lives. What choices will you make?
July 13th, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Cate says:
Composting is one of the easiest green things you can do, and even did it as a single woman living in rentals!
Pick out a spot in the yard,and toss in your kitchen waste. If you want to get “fancy”, you can mix in yard waste too.
Fantastic for the garden, but even if you don’t end up using it, it’s eco-friendly.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:57 am
Jennifer Adduce says:
A tip to reuse buckets. I get cat food in 5 gallon buckets and recycle them but, instead of buying the topsy turvy tomato planters you can drill a hole in the bottom, fill with moss and dirt, plant your tomato and hang from the handle.
July 14th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
bouncy says:
Would love to win these.
My tip is to cook at home more and not be tempted by take-out dinners…all those plastic containers that go to waste make me feel guilty (even though I re-use them).
July 14th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Kellie @ Greenhab says:
I’m already a subscriber, but would love to win these cards!
My tip is to look at everything that passes through your hands and ask “What is the environmental impact of this?” Some things you can’t do without, some you can. You’ll start looking for eco-friendly alternatives to so many things in your life that way!
July 14th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Amanda @ Mom of Faith says:
I am a subscriber and NEED to win these cards! I just had to rebrand and now I must get new cards!!
Tip: Build a compost bin from repurposed wood and fertilize your garden with the natural stuff.
July 15th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Carissa says:
I just subscribed!!! Yeah!!!
I have twins and I cloth diaper them! I also use handmade wipes! While this was my first attempt at being more eco-friendly it was the best and the start of many more like reusable grocery bags and garage sales!
July 15th, 2009 at 9:46 am
Sandy says:
What a cool giveaway! I think your philosophy of killing a few trees to save many is a good one (i.e. business cards to bring people to your blog to convert them to being green). Great giveaway!
July 15th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Brandie says:
You know what? I had another tip that I was going to write, but didn’t.
Repurpose old tee shirts into fruit and veggie bags at the grocery store! Two seams across the body of the shirt turn it into a perfect bag. If you are lucky to a store that offers a “scan it yourself” option, you can weigh out your fruits and print the scan tag, then put the fruit into your tee shirt bag.
Even better, you can put the weighed fruit and veggies directly into your canvas bag that you brought No middle bag needed.
July 16th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
Dog Stairs Don’t Have To Be Expensive « Wicked Blogging says:
[...] Eco-friendly business cards – review and giveaway | Crunchy … [...]
August 2nd, 2009 at 6:45 am
Will says:
Check out Bluegrass Print. They offer “Green” printing at no additional cost.
1,000 full-color, 2-sided, glossy cards for $29.00
http://www.BluegrassPrint.com
August 6th, 2009 at 10:03 am