Bank of Queensland (BOQ) has made a significant environmental stride by becoming the first bank in Australia to issue debit cards crafted from recycled plastic. This initiative is expected to transform over 500,000 cards sourced from industrial waste, preventing this material from contributing to landfill.
In partnership with Melbourne-based manufacturer Placard, BOQ has successfully developed these eco-friendly cards, which have undergone validation by safety science organization Underwriters Laboratories.
Martine Jager, the Group Executive for Retail Banking, stated, “In the next three years, we plan to issue over half a million debit cards made from recycled materials. Our customers will enjoy the same high-quality experience, complete with fantastic new features such as compatibility with digital wallets and smart devices.”
The initial rollout will include 150,000 BOQ Personal Visa Debit and BOQ Business Visa Debit cards made from recycled plastics, with additional cards becoming available as new or replacement options for customers.