98% of the materials used in bank cards recycled

The Caisse d’Epargne is the first bank to set up a virtuous recycling initiative for its bank cards by recovering all the materials used in their manufacture.

Several Caisses d’Epargne now offer their customers the possibility of having their bank cards recycled when they expire. 

Collected via the different savings bank branches, the expired cards are recycled by a 100% French network of innovative companies working in the circular economy whose mechanical equipment consumes little water and energy, uses no chemicals, and is capable of separating and sorting the different components used in the old bank cards. 

First launched by the Caisse d’Epargne Aquitaine Poitou-Charentes in 2015, and subsequently developed nationwide, this approach naturally satisfies the criteria for greater social responsibility and reducing the environmental footprint of our business activities. It is currently being rolled out across the entire Caisse d’Epargne network. 

In France, bank cards account for 400 metric tons of plastic waste every year*. They contain large quantities of precious metals such as nickel, copper and even gold, notably in the electronic chip. All these materials have an environmental impact (pollution, waste, loss of material resources, etc.). 90% of these expired bank cards** end up in incinerators or landfills.

*Source: Novethic/ July 19, 2018
** Source: ELISE-ACTES/2016

Watch a video about the Caisse d’Epargne’s recycling of Carte Bleue bank cards.