It’s been almost two years since allpay cards implemented a closed-loop recycling pathway for end-of-life payment cards, establishing an operational model that enables card waste to be recovered and reintroduced into new material cycles. What began in early 2024 as a targeted sustainability initiative has since developed into a scalable, cross-border process supporting circularity within card manufacturing.

From the outset, the objective was practical and measurable: to reduce waste, extend the life of materials already in circulation, and demonstrate that circular production models can be operationally viable within the payments industry. Nearly two years on, the program is delivering tangible results.

113 bins returned. Over 30 tons of plastic recovered. One clear commitment.

Since launching the closed-loop process, allpay cards have returned 113 dedicated recycling bins containing post-consumer, post-production and end-of-life card waste for specialist processing. In total, this represents 30,252 kg of plastic recovered and diverted from disposal, material that can be refined and reintroduced into new plastic substrates.

For clients, this provides assurance that environmental responsibility extends beyond card issuance and expiry. For the wider payments ecosystem, it demonstrates that closed-loop systems can be implemented at scale within existing manufacturing operations.

“Closing the loop in a meaningful and measurable way has been a priority for us. Recovering more than 30 tons of material in under two years shows what can be achieved when sustainability is embedded into operational processes, not treated as a standalone initiative. This progress reinforces our longer-term commitment to circular manufacturing.” Jamie Taylor, Head of Card Operations, allpay cards

“We are pleased to have supported allpay cards over the past two years in establishing a practical closed-loop recycling process and to see the progress made in recovering and reusing end-of-life card materials.” Marco Balatti, Sales & Marketing Manager, Spica S.r.l.

Strengthening allpay cards’ EU operational footprint

The program has also supported the continued development of allpay cards’ operational footprint within the EU, enabling efficient cross-border logistics for the responsible handling and processing of end-of-life materials. This has been delivered in collaboration with a specialist European recycling partner, supporting the technical processing and material recovery stages of the closed-loop model.

As regulatory expectations and sustainability standards across Europe continue to evolve, this approach positions allpay cards as an engaged and proactive participant in circular economy practices within the payments sector.

Driving practical change in card manufacturing

Beyond the volume of material recovered, the initiative has contributed to measurable internal improvements, including:

• Improved waste segregation and collection processes
• Increased momentum toward a more sustainable product portfolio
• Ongoing work to reduce manufacturing-related carbon footprint
• Enhanced sustainability reporting for issuer clients
• A structured framework to support future material optimisation initiatives

These developments reflect a broader shift toward embedding circularity into day-to-day manufacturing and operational decision-making.

Looking ahead: scaling circularity into 2026 and beyond

With the closed-loop framework now established, allpay cards is focused on expanding the use of recycled materials across its product range, strengthening issuer education around lower-impact card options, and selectively exploring further European collaborations aligned with its sustainability roadmap.

The next phase of this work will prioritise operational maturity, measurable impact, and long-term resilience of circular manufacturing practices within the payments industry.