RCBC switches to recycled plastic credit cards

RCBC is phasing out single-use plastics and switching to recycled PVC plastic (rPVC) in the production of its credit cards, demonstrating the bank's commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. This is a pioneering innovation made possible through RCBC Credit Card’s collaboration with its supplier. 

The new rPVC credit cards are made of at least 80% recycled plastic, with rPVC being an industrial plastic waste from the printing and packaging industry. The bank started its transition in 2023 with currently more than 60% of all new, renewed, and replaced credit cards made of recycled plastics. It expects to continue increasing this share in the coming years. This move follows the bank's introduction of the first credit card product to use sustainable materials in the country with the ZALORA credit card (made from bio-sourced polylactic acid from non-edible corn) launched in 2021. Each RCBC credit card made out of rPVC issued bears the recycled logo, signifying RCBC’s promotion of a sustainable value chain.

Once it has fully transitioned, the bank will use at least 2,250 kilograms of recycled plastics for its credit cards every year, equivalent to the weight of up to 2 sedan cars.

"As a bank, we are committed to ensuring we have a sustainable future. Our shift to the use of recycled plastics for credit card products is one among many steps we are taking towards this goal." RCBC Credit Cards President and CEO Arniel Vincent B. Ong said.

RCBC has also previously embarked on a massive campaign to shift its credit cards statements from paper to electronic means, with over 96% of all accounts today enrolled in email statements.