E.ON gives local firm chance to grow!

A company that produces greetings cards with a biodegradable capsule containing seeds, has won a contract to supply E.ON’s Christmas cards over the festive season.

The cards, designed by Plant a Card, contain Norwegian Spruce seeds with instructions for the recipients to plant the card and watch the trees grow.

Michelle Prout, Media Coordinator for E.ON Technology Said “It’s an idea which simultaneously alludes to recycling and Christmas trees, and is highly appropriate for our clients and public, giving every one a chance to replace the trees that are always discarded after the festive period”.

Nottingham Evening Post: 19/12.200

Growing trend for birthday wishes. Carbon offsetting in-line for award

Plant a Card, an environmentally friendly greetings card company based in Nottingham has out performed hundreds of hopeful new businesses to reach the regional finals of the 2007 HSBC Start-Up Stars Business Awards.

The national contest now in it’s seventh year is designed to seek out the most promising new businesses in the UK.

John Whittington, who started Plant a Card three months ago, is now hoping to clinch one of the top titles and take a share of the awards prize worth £85,000. Consumers in the U.K. buy more greetings cards than any other nation.

Mr. Whittington, from Bobbers Mill, has come up with the perfect solution to give that special moment a longer life.

His cards have a biodegradable capsule containing plant and tree seeds. The recipient can tear off the seed capsule, plant it, and end up with a long lasting reminder of the occasion - and the sender.

All the cards are printed on Biodegradable, bleach free paper, with vegetable based inks.

The business combines MR. Whittington's concern for the environment with his creative talents and over 15 years experience in the graphic design and print industry.

The cards have already been well received by the speciality stores and boutiques that John has approached in the Nottingham area, with 95% placing orders. Now Plant a Card is waiting to place agreements with several large retailers and garden centres.

Plant a card is one of the 20 companies to secure a place in the Midlands  regional finals of the 2007 Start-Up Stars Awards.

A panel of Business experts will select ten top new businesses to represent the Midlands in the national judging session.

This year there will be 5 heats, generating 50 regional winners from throughout the UK.

Nottingham Evening Post: 04/06.2007