What to do when your payment card runs out: a sustainable guide

When your credit or debit card reaches its expiry date, it is important to know how to get rid of it properly that is environmentally responsible.

You might think that such a simple action is not of great relevance for the planet; at the end of the day it’s something you do every four years on average. However, like everything that has to do with sustainability, it’s always small, everyday gestures that make the difference.

Huge figures

According to the information released by the main payment card issuers, in 2024 there were approximately 3 billion cards in circulation in Europe. This figure continually goes up every year by an estimated 500 million.

The disposal of this kind of waste has an enormous environmental impact. Based on the fact that every card weighs approximately 5 grams, this means that all of the cards in circulation in Europe weigh around 15,000 tonnes, the same as 365 Boeing 737 jets or 100 adult blue whales.

So disposing of this waste properly doesn’t seem so irrelevant, does it?

Avoid a common mistake: cutting it up and throwing it away

When our cards run out, most of us choose to cut them in half using scissors and throwing them away with the rubbish. Although this practice seems straightforward and secure, it’s wrong.

Recycling payment cards: a shared responsibility

New cards that you receive usually come in packaging with clear instructions on how to dispose of them at the end of their useful lifetime. These instructions usually include a symbol of a crossed-out wheelie bin. This symbol is called the WEEE symbol, which stands for waste electrical and electronic equipment. It means that a product should not be thrown into normal household waste bins, but must be disposed of as electronic waste. This is due to the fact that in addition to plastic, credit and debit cards contain electronic components that cannot be thrown away with normal household waste, as these materials can be harmful for the environment if they are not properly disposed of.

So, what should be done with an expired card?

1. Leave it in an ATM: the simplest option is to enter an expired card into an ATM. Most ATMs are programmed to detect when a card has expired and, in such cases, they automatically retain them. This not only avoids you from accidentally using a card that no longer works, but also allows your bank to take charge of recycling it securely in an environmentally friendly way.
2. Take it to one of your bank’s branches: if you prefer a more direct option, you can take your expired card to one of your bank’s branches and it will undertake to get rid of it properly.
3. Take it to a recycling centre: if you choose to throw it away with the rest of your household waste, the proper way is to cut it up and take it to a recycling centre, where it will be suitably disposed of as an electronic device. This will ensure that the card’s materials, including the electronic components, will be properly recycled, thus minimising environmental impact.

You card has a second life

Most of the cards that are manufactured in Europe are made of recycled plastic. This means that there is a commitment to sustainability from the time their production begins.

However, the commitment does not stop there: after collecting them, banks use the companies that dispose of them to give a second life to the materials they are made of by creating street furniture or turning them into sustainable consumer goods, such as mobile telephone cases, fashion accessories and even packaging, for example. They can also be used for building road surfaces and lightweight infrastructures, or as components for the manufacturing industry. This wide range of uses demonstrates a growing commitment to sustainability and innovation in waste management.

Take a fresh approach to your next steps

When you payment card expires, you have the opportunity to make a small but significant gesture for the planet. Now that you know how easy it is to recycle it properly, whether by taking it to a recycling centre, leaving it in an ATM or taking it to a branch of your bank, why not do it? Every recycled card is one more step towards a more sustainable, responsible future.

You will not only be protecting the environment, but you will also be contributing to a sustainable life cycle that turns waste into new useful products. Recycling is not just an obligation, it is an opportunity to make a difference.