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Money makes the world go round and it comes in many forms these days. While there are many proponents of e-wallets and digital currencies, physical representations of money still make up the majority. Generally, cash has minimal direct impact on the environment until it is used to finance activities or products that harm the planet in the long run. However, credit and debit cards are the obvious exceptions because they are plastic parts in their nature, making them immediately unsustainable. Yet this plastic design is mostly traditional and this unique card proves that these cards can not only be sustainable but also help heal the planet every time they are used.
Designer: Tree Card
The reason plastic is ubiquitous is because until recently there was no viable alternative to it. The plastic is inexpensive to manufacture and durable, making it ideal for mass-produced products, including credit and debit cards that have been handed out in the hundreds if not thousands. Of course, there are no more sustainable options like bioplastics or other new materials. However, some designers have always preferred real natural materials such as wood, especially because of their unique properties and aesthetics.
Wood isn’t always the best material to use for everything, and you might think a card in your wallet or jeans pocket isn’t a good place for it. But Treecard challenges that assumption, at least with a debit card made of wood, apart from the chip that is now standard on such cards. This confirms that this is not just a decorative card, it is a fully functional card that can be used anywhere that accepts MasterCard. It also supports digital wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay and even Samsung Pay.
What makes Treecard extra special is that its commitment to sustainability goes beyond the card itself. Working with a partner to plant a tree for every $50 spent using the card, it tries to give back to the environment. Given how much “plastic” people use, especially in the US, Treecard’s strategy will almost certainly ensure that more trees are available for future generations. It takes its mission a step further by promising never to use its earnings to finance fossil fuels or deforestation activities.
A wooden debit card is undoubtedly a new proposition, and no matter where you use it, it’s actually a handsome and eye-catching looking card. However, there may be some concern about its durability, as wood is less resistant under pressure and wear and tear, this is something that happens over plastic. However, the idea that you’re helping to make the Earth greener as you spend may be tempting enough for environmentally conscious consumers to take a leap of faith. Now they need to take better care of stylish debit cards.
