Monadnock Paper Mills, Inc., the oldest continuously operating paper mill in the US, has announced that it has become the first paper mill to achieve Mastercard’s Card Eco-Certification (CEC). This milestone underscores Monadnock’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and environmental transparency.

Mastercard’s CEC certification process was originally developed for plastic cards, making Monadnock’s achievement a significant industry first. Since launching its Sustainable Card Program in 2018, Mastercard has worked to transition more than 168 million plastic cards to recycled and bio-based materials—reflecting a growing push for more responsible alternatives. Since no paper-based card had been certified until now, Mastercard refined its assessment criteria — a considerable task — to account for the unique attributes of fiber-based materials.

A comprehensive Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) is central to this certification, as it evaluates a product’s environmental impact from raw material sourcing to end-of-life disposal. The CEC assessment validates Monadnock’s carbon footprint, material sourcing, production processes, and disposal considerations to ensure the highest standards of sustainability. Independent verification was conducted by TruCert, a Canadian-based auditing firm known for its expertise in environmental assessments.

Monadnock’s certified product portfolio includes Envi Card Stock 28 pt and Envi Paper Card 30 pt options in both Virgin and 100% Post-Consumer Waste (PC100) content. These substrates provide the industry with a viable, eco-conscious alternative to traditional plastic cards, reducing reliance on fossil fuel-derived materials while maintaining superior quality and performance.

“Achieving Mastercard’s Card Eco-Certification reinforces our mission to provide high-performance, environmentally responsible fiber-based paper solutions,” says Lisa Taylor, vice president of sales and marketing at Monadnock Paper Mills. “It’s a meaningful step toward greater environmental transparency in the card industry and aligns with our broader Un-Plastic Initiative—helping brands transition to more sustainable materials without compromising quality.”