Ethan Clarke
Plastic gift cards are often thrown away, creating an environmental hazard. In the UK, over 76 million plastic cards have ended up in landfills since 2017, and billions of gift cards are still produced in plastic. While some sources advise against putting plastic gift cards in your recycling bin, there are companies that offer recycling services for plastic cards, and some retailers are beginning to sell paper or cardboard cards, which are easier to recycle.
Do you recycle plastic gift cards?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability | Plastic gift cards are not recyclable in traditional ways, but some companies like TerraCycle offer services to recycle them. |
| Environmental impact | Plastic gift cards create plastic waste and have a negative environmental impact. |
| Sustainable alternatives | Some retailers like Starbucks, Apple, and Amazon offer paper or cardboard cards, which are more sustainable and easier to recycle. Electronic gift cards are also a zero-waste option. |
| Consumer responsibility | Consumers should not put plastic gift cards in their recycling bins. They can instead contact companies to recycle them or use services like Reverse Vending Machines provided by some banks. |
| Industry efforts | The gift card industry is working to prevent overproduction and reduce waste. Some banks are also introducing environmentally-friendly debit and credit cards made from recycled materials. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic gift cards are often not recycled and end up in landfills
Well-intentioned consumers may attempt to recycle plastic gift cards through traditional methods, such as placing them in their recycling bins, but this can lead to contamination of other recyclable materials. This confusion over the recyclability of plastic cards has resulted in significant contamination of recycling batches. For example, in the UK, over 76 million payment, loyalty, and gift cards, amounting to 380 tonnes of plastic waste, have ended up in landfills in the last five years.
To address this issue, some companies are offering innovative solutions. For instance, NatWest has introduced Reverse Vending Machines in London that accept plastic cards, card readers, and bottles for recycling. These machines provide a secure and eco-friendly way to recycle unused plastic cards, helping to reduce plastic card pollution. Additionally, some websites, such as TerraCycle, offer Zero Waste Box services where consumers can send in their plastic cards for recycling, although this service is not available in all regions.
To reduce the environmental impact of plastic gift cards, consumers can take several actions. Firstly, individuals can contact companies and urge them to transition to more sustainable alternatives, such as paper or cardboard cards sourced from renewable resources. Electronic gift cards are also a zero-waste option that eliminates the need for physical cards altogether. Secondly, consumers can properly dispose of their plastic gift cards by utilizing specialized recycling services, such as Reverse Vending Machines or TerraCycle's Zero Waste Box program, ensuring that the cards are recycled securely and responsibly. Online tools can also help individuals find local recycling locations for gift cards.
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PVC plastic, used in gift cards, is poisonous to produce
Plastic gift cards are a popular and convenient choice for consumers, with an estimated $173 billion worth of gift cards sold in the United States in 2021 alone. However, the environmental impact of these cards, particularly those made from PVC plastic, is a growing concern.
PVC plastic, or polyvinyl chloride, is the material used in the majority of plastic gift cards. The production of PVC is a major source of planet-warming greenhouse gases and relies on a cocktail of toxic chemicals, including vinyl chloride, which is classified as a human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The use of these toxic chemicals poses risks throughout the card's lifecycle, from production to disposal, ultimately ending up in our environment and even our bodies.
The short lifespan of plastic gift cards masks the dark secret of their environmental impact. Every transaction leaves behind a burden of plastic waste and carbon emissions that takes a serious toll on our planet. The waste created from manufacturing and disposing of PVC gift cards is hazardous, and it is not accepted by most recycling programs. As a result, significant amounts of PVC waste wind up in landfills or are incinerated, releasing toxic pollutants and contaminating soil, water, and air.
The health risks associated with PVC waste are not limited to the communities in the receiving countries but also threaten the health of people and animals throughout the world due to the bioaccumulation of toxins in the food chain. With safe, non-toxic, and more sustainable alternatives readily available, such as electronic gift cards, there is growing pressure on companies to switch from PVC gift cards to reduce their environmental impact and protect the health of communities.
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Some retailers are switching to paper or cardboard cards
With billions of gift cards being sold every year, the majority of which are made of plastic, it is no surprise that they contribute to the growing problem of plastic waste. In fact, tens of thousands of unused plastic gift cards are being discarded in Turkey, creating an environmental hazard. As consumers become more environmentally conscious, some retailers are responding by switching to paper or cardboard cards. Starbucks, Apple, and Amazon are some of the big names that have begun to sell paper or cardboard gift cards, which are not only easier to recycle but also come from a renewable source.
Paper cards are typically less expensive than PVC cards to manufacture, and they do not pose the same health and environmental risks as PVC cards. The production and disposal of PVC plastic expose people to toxic chemicals, as vinyl chloride, a key component in PVC, has been classified as a hazardous pollutant and human carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency.
While electronic gift cards are the most sustainable option, with zero waste, they have not yet replaced plastic cards as the dominant form. In the meantime, retailers that continue to use plastic gift cards can take steps towards sustainability by forecasting consumer demand more accurately to prevent over-production and reduce waste.
As consumers, we can do our part by urging companies to stop producing PVC cards and instead offer paper or electronic alternatives. We can also choose to purchase gift cards that are not made of PVC or, better yet, opt for e-cards or paper cards when given the choice. By making more sustainable choices, we can reduce the environmental impact of gift cards and encourage retailers to move towards a more eco-friendly future.
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Electronic gift cards are the most sustainable option
Plastic gift cards are often discarded, creating an environmental hazard. In the UK, over 76 million plastic cards have ended up in landfills since 2017, and there is confusion about whether or not these cards can be recycled. While some companies are now offering recycling services for plastic cards, the best sustainable option is to opt for electronic gift cards, which produce zero waste.
Electronic gift cards are the most environmentally friendly option as they do not contribute to plastic waste. Plastic gift cards, on the other hand, are often made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, which is poisonous to produce and has been classified as a hazardous pollutant and human carcinogen. The production and disposal of PVC plastic expose people to toxic chemicals.
Additionally, electronic gift cards are more convenient and flexible than plastic cards. They can be easily purchased and delivered instantly to the recipient's email inbox, eliminating the need for shipping and reducing the carbon footprint associated with transportation. Many electronic gift cards can also be used directly from a mobile device, without the need for a physical card, further reducing waste.
While some retailers have started offering paper or cardboard gift cards, which are more environmentally friendly than plastic, these still require physical production and distribution, which uses resources and generates waste. Electronic gift cards, on the other hand, are entirely digital and do not require any physical resources or distribution networks.
By choosing electronic gift cards, consumers can play a significant role in reducing plastic waste and minimizing their environmental impact. This simple switch encourages sustainable practices and contributes to a greener future.
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Reverse Vending Machines can recycle plastic cards
Plastic cards, including gift cards, have long been a source of plastic waste, with over 76 million plastic cards, or 380 tonnes of plastic waste, sent to landfills in the UK since 2017. This is due to a lack of clear recycling options for consumers, with many unsure of how to properly recycle their plastic cards. As a result, plastic cards often end up being illegally dumped and buried in other countries, creating environmental hazards.
Reverse Vending Machines offer a secure and eco-friendly solution to this problem. These machines are designed to "deliberately eat" payment plastic items, including plastic cards, card readers, and plastic bottles. The first of these machines was launched by NatWest Bank in London, with locations at Victoria Place, Canary Wharf Shopping Centre, and in partnership with the NHS at Guys and St Thomas' Hospitals. These machines are free for everyone to use and offer a convenient way to recycle unwanted plastic cards.
The process of recycling plastic cards through Reverse Vending Machines is secure and sustainable. Each card is shredded to wipe any personal details, with the pieces securely stored and only accessible by a designated driver. The shredded plastic is then transported by electric vehicles to a recycling plant, where it is repurposed into new products. In the pilot phase, the recycled plastic was turned into hats and socks for London's homeless population.
By placing these machines in busy locations like shopping centres and transport hubs, NatWest aims to make plastic card recycling as simple and accessible as possible. This initiative is part of the bank's efforts to introduce more sustainable credit and debit cards made from recycled materials, helping to reduce the overall impact of plastic pollution in the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
No, plastic gift cards are not recyclable. They are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, which is poisonous to produce and a hazardous pollutant.
You can send your plastic gift cards to specialist recycling companies, such as TerraCycle, which can recycle wallet-sized flexible plastic materials and cards.
Yes, you can reuse the cards for other purposes, such as bookmarks or decorations. You can also contact the company that issued the card to see if they have a recycling programme.
Some retailers, like Starbucks, Apple, and Amazon, offer paper or cardboard gift cards, which are made from renewable sources and are easier to recycle. The best sustainable option is an electronic gift card, which produces zero waste.
You can encourage retailers to switch to more sustainable alternatives, such as paper or electronic gift cards. You can also support companies that are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact, such as through the use of recycled materials or carbon footprint tracking.
