Mastercard is set to accelerate the removal of first-use PVC plastics from payment cards on its network by 2028. The move aims to reinforce the company’s sustainability commitments and provide eco-friendlier cards for consumers looking to reduce their environmental impact.
Beginning January 1, 2028, all newly-produced Mastercard plastic payment cards will be made from recycled or bio-sourced plastics like rPVC, rPET, or PLA1, which have been approved through a certification program.
“The world has a plastic problem,” said Sandeep Malhotra, executive VP, products & innovation, Asia Pacific, at Mastercard.
“Solving it will be a whole-of-society task, yet efforts are often taken in isolation or without coordination.”
The sustainable cards initiative would also help the company’s global network of banks, financial institutions, and consumers – holding more than 3 billion Mastercard cards – transition away from virgin plastic.
Since launching the Sustainable Card Program in 2018, around 330 issuers across 80 countries have voluntarily signed up, including 90 issuers in 15 markets in the Asia-Pacific region.
The company has partnered with major card manufacturers to transition more than 168 million cards across its network to recycled and bio-based materials.
Aside from using sustainable materials, the initiative will see all newly made cards to assess their composition and sustainability claims. An independent third-party auditor will validate the certification, after which the card can be imprinted with a Card Eco certification mark.
“Here in the Asia Pacific region, Mastercard’s issuer partners have been very receptive to this initiative, with 90 customers already opting into the sustainable cards program across Japan, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and many other markets,” Malhotra continued.
”This means their cardholders can proudly carry their card with the knowledge that it is made from sustainable forms of plastic. This holistic network connectivity makes this effort different and more effective,” he added.
