HSBC to use only recycled plastic for cards

The UK banking giant HSBC will introduce ‘sustainable’ payment cards across all its global operations and by end 2026 eliminate single-use PVC plastic in favour of recycled PVC plastic (rPVC) for debit, credit and commercial cards.

Working with cards manufacturer IDEMIA, the bank will introduce the rPVC versions gradually. Rollout started in Malaysia in January, and will continue in Sri Lanka this month followed by the UAE, Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Macau, Mexico, Singapore, UK and US by the end of 2021.

“This is an important step towards HSBC achieving its goal of being net-zero in its own operations by 2030,” said Daniel Robinson, Head of Wealth and Personal Banking at HSBC UAE.