Pioneering a sustainable future: Embracing rPVC and paperboard cards

by Ché Colford, General Manager at Thames Technology

Share this post

The financial landscape is profoundly transforming, driven by a growing environmental responsibility and sustainability awareness.

Financial institutions, long seen as stalwarts of tradition, are now at the forefront of a critical transformation. One significant shift is the migration from traditional virgin PVC to recycled PVC (rPVC) and the introduction of paperboard payment cards.

This shift promises to redefine the sector’s environmental footprint but also presents significant business advantages.

PVC cards: The current landscape and challenges

Traditionally, payment cards have been made from virgin PVC due to its durability and flexibility. However, the production and disposal of PVC pose significant environmental challenges.

Plastic pollution is a growing global concern, with up to 12 million tons of plastic entering our oceans annually. Although small, cards produced using virgin PVC add to a significant environmental burden, considering the billions of cards issued worldwide each year.

In contrast, rPVC is made from recycled plastic material and offers a more compelling alternative. It has the same durability and longevity as virgin plastic while also being significantly more sustainable.

By reusing plastic already in circulation, rPVC reduces the need for new plastic production, reducing fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. This recycling process also diverts plastic waste from landfills and oceans, contributing to cleaner ecosystems and a healthier planet. It lowers the demand for virgin plastic, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, and minimises plastic waste that may otherwise be sent to landfills.

Paperboard alternative to plastic pre-paid cards

Paperboard pre-paid cards have recently been introduced and are ideal for short-term cards such as compensation cards or open-loop gift cards. They present an innovative leap forward as a sustainable alternative to traditionally plastic pre-paid cards.

Made from sustainably sourced paperboard, these cards are biodegradable and recyclable, significantly minimising their environmental impact. This is particularly true when producing paperboard cards, which aligns with broader sustainable forestry and manufacturing practices, such as using waste materials as bio-fuel, ensuring a minimal carbon footprint from production to disposal.

A momentous shift to virgin PVC alternatives

The shift towards rPVC and paperboard payment cards is gaining increasing momentum. Both consumer demand and regulatory pressures drive this change. Customers today are more environmentally conscious and often prefer to engage with brands that prioritise sustainability. Governments worldwide are implementing stricter regulations on plastic use and waste management, pushing industries to seek greener alternatives.

Looking ahead, we can expect a broader adoption of sustainable materials for payment card production. As technology evolves, the cost gap between traditional PVC and eco-friendly alternatives will narrow even more, making rPVC and paperboard the new standards in payment card production.

A case for change

From a business perspective, the shift to rPVC and paperboard payment cards offers several advantages. Firstly, it aligns with the growing consumer preference for sustainable products, enhancing brand loyalty and reputation.

Financial institutions that adopt these materials can differentiate themselves in a competitive market by demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship.

Secondly, using recycled and biodegradable materials can lead to long-term cost savings. While the initial investment may be higher, reducing raw material costs and waste management expenses can offset these costs over time.

Environmentally, the benefits are substantial. Using rPVC reduces the reliance on fossil fuels and decreases greenhouse gas emissions associated with PVC production.

It also diverts plastic waste from landfills, contributing to a circular economy. Paperboard pre-paid cards are biodegradable, eliminating the problem of plastic pollution and ensuring that the end-of-life disposal of cards has minimal environmental impact.

A call to action

As leaders in the payments sector, we are responsible for driving this change. Financial institutions must prioritise adopting sustainable materials and actively seek partnerships with innovative suppliers. This transition should be accompanied by transparent communication to customers about the environmental benefits of rPVC and paperboard cards, fostering greater acceptance and demand.

The migration from virgin PVC to rPVC and paperboard payment cards represents a significant opportunity for the payments sector to contribute to a more sustainable future.

By embracing these materials, financial institutions can mitigate their environmental impact, strengthen their market position, and meet their customers’ evolving expectations. The time to act is now, and the benefits for business and the planet are undeniable.

Read more about Thames Technology

Learn More

More To Explore

Membership

Merchant Community Membership

Are you a member of The Payments Association?

Member benefits include free tickets, discounts to more tickets, elevated brand visibility and more. Sign in to book tickets and find out more.

Welcome

Log in to access complimentary passes or discounts and access exclusive content as part of your membership. An auto-login link will be sent directly to your email.

Having trouble signing?

We use an auto-login link to ensure optimum security for your members hub. Simply enter your professional work e-mail address into the input area and you’ll receive a link to directly access your account.

First things first

Have you set up your Member account yet? If not, click here to do so.

Still not receiving your auto-login link?

Instead of using passwords, we e-mail you a link to log in to the site. This allows us to automatically verify you and apply member benefits based on your e-mail domain name.

Please click the button below which relates to the issue you’re having.

I didn't receive an e-mail

Tip: Check your spam

Sometimes our e-mails end up in spam. Make sure to check your spam folder for e-mails from The Payments Association

Tip: Check “other” tabs

Most modern e-mail clients now separate e-mails into different tabs. For example, Outlook has an “Other” tab, and Gmail has tabs for different types of e-mails, such as promotional.

Tip: Click the link within 60 minutes

For security reasons the link will expire after 60 minutes. Try submitting the login form again and wait a few seconds for the e-mail to arrive.

Tip: Only click once

The link will only work one time – once it’s been clicked, the link won’t log you in again. Instead, you’ll need to go back to the login screen and generate a new link.

Tip: Delete old login e-mails

Make sure you’re clicking the link on the most recent e-mail that’s been sent to you. We recommend deleting the e-mail once you’ve clicked the link.

Tip: Check your security policies

Some security systems will automatically click on links in e-mails to check for phishing, malware, viruses and other malicious threats. If these have been clicked, it won’t work when you try to click on the link.

Need to change your e-mail address?

For security reasons, e-mail address changes can only be complete by your Member Engagement Manager. Please contact the team directly for further help.

Still got a question?