How to Plant Your Seed Paper Name Tag

Got a Terra Tag badge? Lucky you — it’s more than just paper. Our plantable cards are made from wildflower seed paper you can grow at home. Here’s how to give it a second life in your garden (or windowsill!).

Seed paper name badge planted in pots showing germination stages and sprouting timeline

What You’ll Need

  • A pot or garden spot

  • Seed-raising mix or potting soil

  • Your seed paper badge

  • Water

  • A sunny position

Plant Your Badge in 4 Steps

Step 1: Prep Your Soil

  • Choose a pot with loose, moist, well-draining soil — or find a soft patch in your garden. The soil should feel crumbly, not compacted.

Step 2: Plant the Paper

  • Place your seed paper badge on top of the soil. You can tear it into smaller pieces for easier planting – this sometimes helps the seeds spread out. Cover the paper lightly with about 3mm of soil. Don’t bury it too deep; the seeds need a bit of light to germinate.

Step 3: Water Thoroughly

  • Gently water the area until the seed paper is soaked through & the surrounding soil is damp. The paper will start to soften & blend into the soil.

Step 4: Sunshine & Care

  • Put your pot in a sunny spot (or if in the garden, ensure that spot gets good sunlight). Keep the soil consistently moist for the first 1–2 weeks. This is critical – if the seed paper dries out, the little sprouts might not succeed. Check daily & water lightly whenever the soil feels like it’s drying out.

What To Expect

After about 7–21 days (depending on the seed mix & conditions), you’ll start to see tiny green sprouts poking through the soil. Congrats – your old name tag is now bursting into new life! Continue to care for the seedlings with regular water & sunlight. In time, you’ll have wildflowers or herbs growing as a living reminder of the sustainable event you attended.

Important: For best results, plant your seed paper within 12 months of receiving it. Seed paper is most effective when fresh. If you’re in a region with extreme temperatures, aim to plant during milder months (spring or autumn) for higher germination rates.

How to Recycle or Compost Your Biodegradable Lanyard

Biodegradable cotton lanyard attached to recycled name badge at a sustainable event

Terra Tag lanyards are made from 100% unbleached cotton, so they’re completely biodegradable. Here’s how to dispose of or reuse your Terra Tag lanyard responsibly after the event:

Step 1: Remove the Cotton Neck Cord

  • Untie or snip off the cotton lanyard. No plastic. No blends. Just natural fibre.

Step 2: Compost the Neck Cord

  • Toss it in your home or community compost. It’ll break down in a few months into healthy soil.
    No compost? It will still biodegrade safely in landfill.

Step 3: Upcycle It (Optional)

  • If you’re feeling crafty, you can reuse the lanyard cord instead of composting it. The cotton string can serve as garden twine, gift wrap ribbon, or for hanging decorations. Get creative & give it a second life.

Step 4: Recycle or Compost the Badge Paper

  • Don’t forget the badge itself (if it wasn’t the seed paper type). Our recycled paper badges can be put in your paper recycling bin or composted in your garden. They’re essentially thick paper, so they’ll safely biodegrade. Plantable badges can be planted, put in the recycling bin or composted.

Thank You for Closing the Loop

Every Terra Tag product is made to grow or return to the earth. By composting and planting your badge or lanyard, you’re helping make events more sustainable — and we think that’s pretty awesome.

Got questions about how to plant seed paper or recycle your badge?

Reach out to the Terra Tag team – we’re always happy to help make the most of our products.