Swiss banking giant, UBS, is launching a new credit card made of corn. The Optimus Foundation Credit Card Eco is an international credit card that the bank claims is 80% biodegradable. Is the future of credit cards eco-friendly? UBS thinks so. Here’s why:
New Optimus Foundation Credit Card Eco from UBS
UBS prides itself on working towards sustainability in all its products. Now, the Swiss bank is launching a credit card made from plastic substitute, PLA. PLA, or polylactic acid, is a plastic alternative made from fermented plant starch – typically corn.
The new Optimus Foundation Credit Card Eco is a PLA-based credit card launched through its charity arm, the Optimus Foundation. The Eco is mostly made of PLA, meaning the card is 80% biodegradable.
UBS Donating Some Proceeds to Charity
UBS is also hoping the card can fund further eco-friendly developments in the future. The bank is donating 0.75% of annual credit card spending from the new card to the Optimus Foundation. UBS supports programs that improve children’s health, education, and protection in a long-term and lasting way through its charitable foundation.
A “Transition to a More Sustainable Society”
UBS is hailing the launch of its new eco-friendly corn-based credit card. The bank, the first Swiss bank to launch a sustainable credit card, issued a press release detailing the launch and its future goals:
The Optimus Foundation Credit Card Eco is currently only available for applicants in Switzerland. However, the success of the program may have far-reaching impacts on the future of credit cards worldwide.
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Featured photo by Matthew Henry / Burst
