Our new bank cards feature more than a beautiful design. The card body – made from 100% recycled plastic*, with 64% collected from coastal communities by Parley for the Oceans™ – represents our commitment to a small, practical step in the right direction for our oceans, in line with what we believe are our customers’ values.
As a Bank Australia customer, you might have noticed your debit or credit cards have a fresh new look, including the designs in your digital wallet. This is more than a facelift. Our new physical bank cards reflect our commitment to sustainability and to offering a better option for our customers."
*Some functional components including the chip, hologram and magnetic strip cannot be sourced as recycled plastic.
How the new cards are different
We know that 4 out of 5 of our customers are extremely concerned about increasing plastic waste in the environment1. So, in an effort to reduce reliance on virgin plastic, we’ve transitioned to 100% recycled plastic in the body of our new cards*, with 64% collected from coastal communities by Parley for the Oceans™.
While we could have used any standard recycled plastic for our new cards, we made a conscious decision to take it a step further, choosing to use a supplier that actively contributes to removing plastic pollution from our environment.
Since 2012, global organisation Parley for the Oceans has been collaborating with communities, brands and other environmental groups to address threats to marine ecosystems – including plastic pollution, which is a serious and intensifying problem. It’s estimated there are roughly 21,000 pieces for every person on Earth, and the problem is doubling every six years2.
“Parley for the Oceans works in coastal communities to intercept plastic waste before it reaches the ocean, giving new life to materials that would otherwise contribute to pollution,” says Nicole Hunter, Bank Australia’s Head of Brand.
Why we’ve updated our cards
While a change of this scale can be quite complex, our reason for doing it is anything but: “We updated our cards to better reflect who we are and what we stand for,” Nicole says.
As a customer-owned and B Corp-certified bank, we aim to take meaningful action on the issues that matter most to our customers. “We’re always looking for ways to make choices that reflect what our customers care about,” Nicole says. “Updating our cards stood out as a clear opportunity to do just that.”
For customer Imogen, who lives on Victoria’s Surf Coast, the issue feels very close to home (literally and figuratively).
“Water is a source of life for all things and everything around us, and we have a duty, a responsibility and a privilege to really protect it in any way we can,” Imogen says. “The new cards from Bank Australia are an example of a small but meaningful step that we can take to be more mindful of the impact our decisions have on the planet and the ocean.”
For Nicole and her young family, it’s also personal. “I want my daughter to grow up in a world where nature is thriving,” she says. “For me, this is about making sure our actions match our values and showing that even small changes – like switching to recycled plastic – can be part of a much bigger shift toward sustainability.”
While the new cards alone won’t solve the plastic crisis, they represent a practical step in the right direction. “It’s a way for us, and our customers, to help take a stand for healthier oceans and a healthier planet,” Nicole says.
How the cards came to life
We brought together a collection of like-minded organisations to bring this project to life, each chosen for their commitment to sustainable principles and ethical practices.
Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) produced the new range of cards using recycled plastic sourced through their collaboration with Parley for the Oceans. B Corp-certified creative agency Silver Lining created the campaign and card design – which features a translucent window that reveals the Bank Australia logo when held up to light, “a subtle nod to Bank Australia's commitment to transparency,” Nicole says. And the supporting launch content was developed with Good&Proper, our content agency and another B Corp, who share our belief in using storytelling to drive positive change.
To further highlight the issue of plastic waste, we commissioned a large-scale ocean-themed installation by environmental artist Swapna Namboodiri, created entirely from discarded plastic. The goal? To encourage people to reflect on what’s at stake when it comes to plastic and the oceans, to think differently about their own waste, and inspire them to take action where they can.
“Together, this collaboration reflects what we stand for as a bank and our collective commitment to a more sustainable future,” Nicole says.
Towards a nature-positive future
This card update is aligned with our nature and biodiversity strategy – one of Bank Australia’s key impact areas. “One of the core goals of this strategy is to help create a 2030 where nature is protected and recovering, and that means making thoughtful choices across every part of our business,” Nicole says. “Updating our cards is one of those choices.”
By switching to recycled materials and partnering with Parley for the Oceans, we’re reducing our reliance on virgin plastic and supporting efforts to intercept waste before it reaches the ocean.
“It’s a tangible example of how our products can support environmental outcomes,” Nicole says. “As a leading ethical bank in Australia, we have a responsibility to lead by example, raise awareness, and make choices that reflect both our values and our customers’ expectations. This card is one way we’re showing that sustainability isn’t just something we talk about – it’s something we build into the everyday.”
Imogen agrees these actions, while small, can add up. “It's really easy to feel overwhelmed with the huge, unprecedented, catastrophic issues we face with ocean health and various other issues related to our changing climate,” she says. “We don't need a small group of people doing things perfectly. We need as many people, as many organisations, as many businesses, as many communities just doing their best.”
