98% of the materials used in bank cards recycled

French bank allows customers to have their cards recycled once expired. Source: pixabay.com

The Caisse d’Epargne has become the first bank to set up a recycling initiative for its bank cards by recovering all the materials used in their manufacture.

This way, Several Caisses d’Epargne now offers their customers the possibility of having their bank cards recycled when they expire.

Collected via the different savings bank branches, the expired cards are recycled by a 100% French network of companies working in the circular economy. Their mechanical equipment consumes little water and energy, uses no chemicals, and is capable of separating and sorting the different components used in the old bank cards.

According to information, in France, bank cards account for 400 metric tons of plastic waste annually. They contain large quantities of precious metals such as nickel, copper, and even gold, notably in the electronic chip. All these materials have an environmental impact (pollution, waste, loss of material resources, etc.). In fact, 90% of these expired bank cards end up in incinerators or landfills.

We’ve reported that Starling?is introducing?a recycled plastic debit card to support its efforts to protect the planet.

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