Sustainability is a growing priority for consumers, regulators, and financial institutions alike. The shift is especially strong in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, where expectations for environmental responsibility are rising across industries.
For banks and credit unions, payment cards are a big contributor to their carbon footprint. Although they may seem small, their impact is huge: 25 billion plastic cards are in circulation today, with 6 billion added every year. Simply put, issuers can’t ignore the role they play in global plastic use.
At Entrust, we see sustainable issuance as a balance: advancing environmental goals while maintaining the security, durability, and personalization that cardholders expect. Let’s review the significance of sustainable issuance and what financial institutions can do to improve their card programs.
Why sustainability matters in card issuance
Plastic pollution is one of the defining challenges of our era. Since the 1950s, humans have produced 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic, three-quarters of which has been discarded as waste. Only 9% has ever been recycled, and most of it ends up in landfills or the environment, damaging the climate and its wildlife.
Issuers are already under pressure. Corporate Responsibility targets are increasingly strict, while regulators are scrutinizing plastic waste. Most importantly, consumers demand better. A 2023 study found that 56% of consumers expect their bank to act sustainably, and younger cardholders are especially willing to voice their opinions with their wallets. According to the study, 18% of 18 to 23-year-olds have switched banks for environmental reasons.
Design and card material are now a big part of that decision-making process. 70% of millennials and 63% of Gen Z say card design or the way a card is made influences their choice of which card to use.
Bottom line: Sustainability isn’t just an environmental issue anymore — it’s a brand differentiator.
Eco-substrate options and their challenges
To meet this demand, issuers are turning to new materials: recycled PVC (rPVC), polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), and reclaimed or ocean-bound plastics, among others. These substrates reduce reliance on virgin PVC and help cut overall carbon impact.
The shift is measurable. ABI Research forecasts a 14% decrease in PVC use in card production by 2026. But transitioning to eco-substrates is not as simple as swapping materials. Card issuers face critical challenges:
- Personalization quality: Alternative plastics can react differently to heat, pressure, and print methods, affecting card surface quality, embossing, and readability.
- Secure encoding: Magnetic stripes, chips, and contactless elements must perform consistently to meet payment and identity standards — even on non-traditional substrates.
- Durability: Eco-cards need to withstand years of use without bending, warping, or degrading faster than traditional PVC.
Banks and bureaus are already proving that these challenges can be overcome. For example, many are transitioning to flat card designs — shifting away from embossing while still delivering the durability, readability, and security their programs require. With the right partner and personalization technology, eco-substrates can achieve the same balance, helping issuers reduce plastic use without compromising performance.
Banks also face the reality of hybrid issuance: digital wallets and mobile credentials are on the rise, but physical cards remain essential for payments, identity, and access. As a result, eco-substrates are not just a stopgap solution — they’re a necessary part of making issuance programs more sustainable while physical cards continue to play a critical role.
Benefits of sustainable issuance
Investing in a green card program has tangible advantages. By doing so, organizations can:
- Align with Corporate Responsibility goals while protecting cardholder trust.
- Reduce virgin plastic use without sacrificing performance.
- Strengthen brand loyalty by meeting consumer sustainability expectations.
- Future-proof programs by testing and validating new substrates.
The result? A path toward sustainability that supports both corporate responsibility and business growth.
Enabling sustainable issuance
Entrust helps issuers and bureaus bring sustainability goals to life without compromise. Our Datacard® MX Series central issuance systems have been tested and proven with a wide range of eco-substrates, giving organizations the flexibility to move away from virgin PVC while maintaining high-quality results.
Through ongoing R&D and partnerships with material suppliers, issuers, and bureaus worldwide, we validate substrate compatibility and ensure you meet performance standards. Our personalization technology has helped bureaus worldwide personalize millions of eco-cards with durable and consistent results. Capabilities include:
- High-quality printing and laser engraving on recycled and alternative substrates, including PETG and rPVC.
- Secure encoding for payment and identity applications, even on new materials.
- High-durability UV-curable personalization technologies designed to extend card lifespan
This combination of substrate expertise and advanced personalization technology enables issuers to launch sustainable programs that are both compliant and cardholder-ready. Entrust has already supported the successful rollout of eco-cards at scale, proving that sustainability and security can go hand in hand. And just as issuers have successfully transitioned to flat card designs, the move to eco-substrates shows how innovation and responsibility can coexist in card issuance.
Looking ahead
Overall, plastic production isn’t slowing down. If growth continues as planned, plastic-related emissions could reach 1.34 gigatons annually by 2030, accounting for 10–13% of the entire remaining global carbon budget by 2050.
For issuers, the opportunity is clear: sustainable card programs can cut waste, strengthen customer relationships, and support Corporate Responsibility commitments. Entrust will continue investing in substrate compatibility and personalization innovation to help organizations meet these goals — while staying ahead of growing consumer and regulatory expectations.
Ready to make your card program more sustainable? Talk to a sustainability expert today and learn how Entrust’s central issuance systems can support your green initiatives.
