Did you know that the amount of plastic used to produce banking cards every year is equivalent to the weight of weight of 125 Statues of Liberty? Unfortunately, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) used to make debit cards takes approximately 400 years to break down.

At Bank of New Hampshire, we are committed to sustainability, and we care about the environment – just like you!

One way to avoid plastic waste is to use alternative eco-friendly materials, such as Polylactic Acid (PLA). Our new eco-friendly, biodegradable debit cards are made from non-edible corn; corn grown for industrial use and livestock feed.

How can I tell if my BNH debit card is eco-friendly?

On the back of each biodegradable debit card, there will be a PLA symbol with a leaf that indicates that the card is made from eco-friendly materials.

Will my new biodegradable debit card look, act or feel differently?

No, these cards meet all of MasterCard’s quality standards and will be indistinguishable from traditional PVC debit cards. Our cards will continue to be issued with security and both EMV and Contactless technology.

How long does it take for my debit card to biodegrade?

The PLA card is a compostable bioplastic which has ASTM D6400 (U.S.) and EN13432 (Europe) certification. Under these certifications, solid material biodegradation must occur within 180 days utilizing municipal or industrial facilities.

We are proud to be part of the solution - creating a sustainable future and community.