In 2005, I was traveling through Sweden and stayed at a Scandic Hotel. The stay was pleasant as always, but what caught my eye was a wooden key card handed to me at check-in. I used the card throughout my entire stay and became especially proud when I learned that this unique Scandinavian-branded product had been used for more than five years at all Scandic properties. I was proud that this “green” innovation had been developed in my native Sweden.

I felt compelled to bring the concept back to the United States upon my return. I tracked down the producer of the wooden key cards, Johan Motensson, in his small wood shop in Hede, Sweden. Together, Johan and I formed EcoCard, LLC. Later, Greg Hartmann, the former Managing Director of HVS Boulder, the largest hotel consulting firm in the world, reaffirmed my enthusiasm for this unique concept and joined our team.

Since 2006, we have discovered that the wooden card is not only unique and great looking, but far more environmentally friendly than PVC, biodegradable PVC, corn-cards or even recycled plastic or paper cards. We also learned that sectors of the hotel industry preferred the high-quality wood product produced by Johan over traditional cards. With that in mind, I have spent the past couple of years visiting suppliers, refining specifications and establishing contacts throughout the world.

In the process of refining our product and establishing contacts worldwide, we have successfully created three distinct, market-ready products.  While it all began with that all-wood card produced for more than seven years in Hede, the result is the most environmentally friendly, low-cost and high-quality wooden key cards available today.

We formally changed our name to Sustainable Cards, LLC, in 2008. Since then, the response by individual hotel operators and hotel brands alike has been overwhelming.

We thank you for your interest in and patronage of Sustainable Cards, LLC, and Mother Earth thanks you for taking steps to minimize the more than 500 million tons of PVC sent to landfills each year.

We realize that using wood instead of plastic is a small thing, but we believe it’s the small things that contribute to a better world.

Peo Akesson

Chairman & Founder
Sustainable Cards LLC