When was the last time you gave or received a greeting card? Maybe it was for a holiday, a birthday, or a simple thank-you. While these small gestures are cherished, they often come with a hidden cost: waste. Most greeting cards end up in the trash after their moment of joy has passed.
The world is drowning in single-use paper waste. Every year, Americans purchase approximately 6.5 billion greeting cards, contributing to the destruction of forests and immense water waste. Meanwhile, the U.S. consumes 13 billion pounds of paper towels annually, the equivalent of 51,000 trees per day and 60 million gallons of water per year. This growing crisis calls for innovative solutions that reduce waste without compromising on functionality or joy. Enter Clards®, the revolutionary product transforming how we celebrate and clean.
The Innovation Behind Clards
At first glance, Clards look like any other greeting card—a thoughtful, vibrant way to send your message. But the magic lies in their second life. After delivering heartfelt greetings, Clards transform into reusable, washable, and compostable cleaning cloths. Made from Swedish sponge cloth material, each Clard replaces up to 3,000 paper towels over its lifetime, offering an eco-friendly alternative that’s both practical and sustainable.
Designed for longevity, Clards are dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe for disinfection, and can last for months of regular use. When they’ve completed their cleaning duties, they break down naturally in your compost, leaving no waste behind.
The Environmental Benefits of Clards
Using Clards instead of traditional paper towels and single-use greeting cards has a profound environmental impact. Here’s how:
- Reduction in Paper Waste: Each Clard replaces one greeting card and thousands of paper towels, potentially saving hundreds of trees over its lifespan.
- Water Conservation: The production of paper towels is water-intensive. By switching to Clards, you help conserve millions of gallons of water annually.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: By replacing disposable products, Clards help reduce the energy required for manufacturing, transportation, and disposal.
According to environmental studies, reducing the consumption of disposable paper products could save an estimated 17 trees and 20,000 gallons of water for every ton of paper avoided.
A Journey Born from Necessity
Clards were born out of a desire to disrupt the status quo of wasteful paper products. In 2018, Carla Scholz, founder of Soak iT Up™, envisioned a better way to combine celebration and sustainability. Inspired by her father's passion for preserving natural resources, Carla embarked on a journey to create a product that would turn guilt into joy.
The path wasn’t easy. Carla faced challenges in sourcing eco-friendly materials and finding the right printing techniques. But with persistence and innovation, she patented Clards and partnered with a woman-owned print shop to scale production. Today, Clards stand as a testament to the idea that small changes can lead to significant environmental impact.
The Problem and the Solution
Every year, billions of greeting cards end up in landfills, while paper towels account for a staggering 254 million tons of trash globally. The waste is overwhelming, but the solution is simple: reduce, reuse, and innovate.
Clards offer a guilt-free alternative that allows you to celebrate life’s moments without contributing to the problem. Instead of one-time-use cards and disposable paper towels, you can now choose a product that not only delights but also protects the planet.
Join the Revolution
It’s time to rethink how we celebrate and clean. By switching to Clards, you’re not just making a purchase; you’re taking a stand for a more sustainable future. Together, we can reduce waste, conserve resources, and inspire others to make eco-friendly choices.
Make the switch today. Celebrate sustainably. Clean responsibly. Compost joyfully.