Qonto launches 100% recycled cards as part of its environmental impact commitment

• Qonto partners with IDEMIA, to launch a 100% recycled card lineup.
• This initiative forms part of Qonto’s Impact strategy to drive long-term sustainable growth.
• The new card lineup also includes added benefits such as a customizable design and better insurance coverage.

Qonto, the leading European business finance solution, partners with IDEMIA, the global leader in identity technologies, to launch the new cards lineup which is made from 100% recycled plastic materials. Developed and produced by IDEMIA, the new cards also come with additional functional and design benefits such as higher insurance and choice of color. This initiative forms part of Qonto’s Impact strategy which aims to reduce their carbon footprint while offering tailored cards to best meet evolving customer needs.

Recycled cards as a step towards a more sustainable business

Qonto made Impact a business priority to achieve positive environmental change and reduce its carbon footprint by 5% in 2023 relative to its growth. As part of this strategy, the company conducted a first carbon footprint assessment in detail to evaluate what parts of the business could be improved from an environmental perspective. There are many different areas where the company is planning to reduce its carbon emissions, including marketing, travel, supplier policies, or data centers – and now the new cards range.
Previously, all of Qonto’s cards were made of virgin plastic. As of November 14, all issued One and Plus cards will be produced from 100% recycled Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), originated from the printing and packaging industries in Europe thus reusing waste material and avoiding the use of large quantities of virgin plastic.

Key updates of the new cards lineup

Along with their sustainable materials, the new Qonto Plus cards are also available with the following benefits:

• Color options: Qonto customers can now choose the colors of their cards. There are three available card colors: silver, black, and light purple.
• Choice between embossed or printed cards: Customers also have the possibility to personalize their cards by choosing between embossed card details in the front or printed card details in the back.
• Stronger insurance: The new cards include additional insurance benefits over the existing offer, such as phishing coverage (new), purchase protection (existing and extended), and fraudulent payments (existing and extended).

Offering cards out of recycled PVC is a major milestone for Qonto and, as with our Impact Strategy, we aim to set an example for the industry. As a company, we are very conscious of the growing environmental effect we have on the world and the sentiment of our increasing customer base. In line with Mastercard’s mandate to remove first-use PVC plastics from payment cards by 2028, we wanted to be a step ahead. The goal is to not only lower our own carbon footprint, but also help reduce the footprint of our customers.
VP Strategy of Qonto, Albertine Lecointe

We are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with Qonto and to offer IDEMIA’s expertise and innovations in payment solutions. It is particularly true in terms of more environmentally friendly payment methods, such as our GREENPAY solutions. As a market leader in innovative card technology, IDEMIA is committed to providing unique, world-class solutions that meet the expectations of banks, their customers, and society in general.
Senior VP Europe Payment Services of IDEMIA, Aaron DAVIS