Finland Bank's 'Green' EMV Cards Aim to Reduce Carbon

Finland’s Bank of Aland is partnering with Gemalto to give customers bio-friendly payment cards that calculate their carbon footprints.

The bank, which also operates in Aland and Sweden, will give customers biodegradable EMV cards produced by Gemalto and a carbon footprint calculation for each of their payment transactions, which will come in a monthly report with an invitation to offset their CO2 emissions, it said in a June 16 news release.

Since EMV cards carry a small computer chip, the environmental impact has become a concern as more cards enter circulation.

All new customers will receive the new cards; existing cardholders will receive them when their current cards expire. The “bio-sourced” Optelio cards are made from corn-based polylactic acid material, which is a biodegradable substitute for plastic and non-toxic when incinerated, the bank said.

The initiative is part of a commitment to The Baltic Sea Project, Unesco-supported project to encourage interest in environmental issues, protection and responsibility. The bank has commissioned a local design agency, RBK Communications, to produce artwork for the front of the card reflective of the Baltic Sea Project and its values. Card account details and corporate logos will be placed on the backside.