Are Credit Cards Recyclable and the Impact on the Environment

Credit cards are made from a variety of materials, including plastic, metal, and paper. The production of these materials has a significant impact on the environment.

Most credit cards are made from a type of plastic called polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is not biodegradable. This means it can take hundreds of years to decompose.

The extraction and processing of the raw materials needed to make PVC also have environmental consequences. For example, the production of PVC requires large amounts of fossil fuels and releases toxic chemicals into the air and water.

Many credit cards also contain metal, such as gold or silver, which are often sourced from mines that have significant environmental and social impacts.

Eco-friendly credit cards are becoming increasingly popular as people become more aware of the environmental impact of plastic waste. The production of banking cards alone uses the equivalent weight of 95 Boeing 747s every year, and their carbon footprint is equivalent to 288,000 passengers flying from New York to Sydney.

Thales Gemalto has taken a step in the right direction by developing eco-friendly card solutions that reduce adverse environmental impacts. As of July 2023, 324 banks have signed up to the Principles for Responsible Banking, which provides a framework for a sustainable banking system.

Thales Gemalto's sustainable products and services cover every aspect of a bank card's life, focusing on Reduction and Compensation. Their approach includes bio-sourced and recycled card body materials, as well as a carbon offset programme.

Here are some of Thales Gemalto's eco-friendly card solutions:

These eco-friendly card solutions not only reduce plastic waste but also provide a unique, sustainable value proposition.

Thales Gemalto Recycling is a great example of a company committed to responsible disposal of payment cards. They aim to reduce microplastic pollution and use fewer virgin fossil materials.

Recycling credit card plastic can be a bit tricky, but it's not impossible. You can recycle credit card plastic if you send it in complete, good quality, without torn parts.

Thales Gemalto Recycling has a zero landfill waste policy, which is great for the environment. Their approach includes responsible collection, shredding, and processing of materials.

To recycle credit card plastic, you should not cut it up to protect your data. In fact, recyclers won't take credit cards that are already torn up or shredded prior to recycling.

Fortunately, some companies like Heritage Bank and Woolworths have found ways to recycle credit card plastic. Heritage Bank has shown that it's possible to recycle credit card plastic, and Woolworths partnered with Close The Loop to create energy from expired gift cards.

Thales facilitates end-of-life card management by acting as an intermediary between you and their partner recycling companies.

Many people wonder what to do with old credit cards, how to dispose of them, or even destroy them once they reach end-of-life or when they need to be renewed.

Thales has started working with a long-term European partner to recycle banking cards, recovering the energy from the plastic through incineration and recycling the metal for use in other industries.

This approach means 0% of these materials end up in a landfill, making it a beneficial practice for the environment.

Heritage Bank has shown that it's possible to recycle credit card plastic, and Woolworths has partnered with Close The Loop to create energy from expired gift cards.

Many people wonder what to do with old credit cards, but the way you manage a card's end-of-life disposal has a significant impact on environmental practices.

Thales facilitates end-of-life card management by acting as an intermediary between you and their partner recycling companies, making it easier to recycle old cards.

The metal in the cards is recycled and sent for use in industries like jewelry and electrical circuit manufacturing, reducing waste that would otherwise end up in landfills.

Thales has started working with a long-term European partner to recycle banking cards, recovering energy from the plastic through incineration and recycling the metal.

This approach means 0% of the materials end up in landfills, which is a huge benefit for the environment.

Thales aims to recycle materials in Europe to further reduce the carbon footprint of bank cards.

Their next-generation products put recycling at the heart of the design process, removing unnecessary components like magnetic stripes or the signature panel to make recycling possible.

Doconomy, a Swedish pioneer of sustainable payment cards, has developed a card with mono colour printing, a light signature panel, and no magnetic stripes, making it an eye-catching design that prioritizes recycling.

Card recycling is a challenge for many banks, but with rapid advances in the sector, there's a real opportunity to drive change and reduce waste.

To recycle safely, you should not cut up your credit card, as this can make it difficult for recyclers to process. This is because recyclers will not accept cards that are already torn or shredded.

It's best to send your credit card to a recycling facility in its original, intact condition. This increases the chances of it being recycled properly.

You can recycle your credit card plastic by sending it to a facility that specializes in recycling hard-to-recycle materials, such as TerraCycle. Heritage Bank has a program in place to recycle expired or cancelled Visa cards with TerraCycle.

Before recycling, make sure the card is free of any personal or sensitive information. You can use a pair of scissors to carefully remove the chip or magnetic strip, but be sure to send the rest of the card to the recycler.

Some banks, like Heritage Bank, are making eco-friendly cards made from plant-based materials that degrade faster than traditional plastic cards. These cards are designed to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable practices.

Recycling credit card plastic is not as simple as recycling other materials, due to the presence of PVC and electronic chips. However, with innovations like plant-based materials and recycling programs, it's becoming more feasible.

If you do find a facility that recycles credit card plastic, be sure to send it in good condition, without any torn or shredded parts. This will ensure that it can be processed and recycled correctly.