This Christmas will see 20,000 tonnes of card ending up as waste as businesses and consumers send each other festive greetings cards, according to government-backed sustainability experts Envirowise.

Small businesses will also fork out more than £94m on cards, while growing numbers are facing intense financial pressure.

Speaking at a time when many businesses will be finalising orders for Christmas cards, Envirowise marketing director Mary Leonard said that rather than contribute to the 150 million cards and presents shipped each day by the Royal Mail during the Christmas period, firms should consider sending electronic e-cards to customers, suppliers and staff.

"We are asking businesses to think twice about the cost and impact of Christmas cards and consider a more cost effective, efficient and environmentally-friendly alternative," she said. "It may seem a small measure, but it is actions such as this which will inevitably have a huge impact."

According to Envirowise, since 2005 more than 130,000 e-cards have been sent free of charge through its web site saving businesses more than £50,000 on postage, card and envelope costs.

It added that last year more than 60,000 e-cards were sent via the site saving more than a tonne of paper.