- Melbourne Biodiversity Institute, University of Melbourne, 2024, Bank Australia Nature and Climate Survey Summary Report, n=2505
- Reaching New Heights in Plastic Pollution—Preliminary Findings of Microplastics on Mount Everest, Napper, Imogen E. et al. One Earth, Volume 3, Issue 5, 621 - 630
- Du T, et al. (2018). Microplastics contaminate the deepest part of the world’s ocean. Geochemical Perspectives Letters, 9(9),1–5.
- Eriksen M, et al. (2023) A growing plastic smog, now estimated to be over 170 trillion plastic particles afloat in the world’s oceans - Urgent solutions required. PLoS ONE 18(3): e0281596.
- Birnbaum, M. (2023).‘There are 21,000 pieces of plastic in the ocean for each person on Earth’, Washington Post, 8 March
- Bank Australia, 2023, Customer Values Research.
22 September 2025 – Scam calls impersonating Bank Australia. We’re aware of scam calls using fake recorded messages to claim you owe money and prompt you to press "1". These are not from Bank Australia. Learn more
2022-11-07 12:47 pm
At Bank Australia, four out of five of our customers are extremely concerned about plastic waste1 – and as a customer-owned bank, we’re listening.
Our new cards are made from 100% recycled plastic*, with 64% collected from coastal communities by Parley for the Oceans™.
*Some functional components including the chip, hologram and magnetic strip cannot be sourced as recycled plastic.
Plastic pollution is everywhere
Plastic has been found near the summit of Mount Everest and underwater at the deepest point on Earth, the Mariana Trench2,3.
A 2023 study4 estimates there to be over 171 trillion plastic particles, weighing about 2.3 million metric tons, currently in the oceans. That's roughly 21,000 pieces for every person on Earth, and the problem is doubling every six years5.
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One small change we can make together
64%
of the card body is made up from plastic collected from coastal communities by Parley for the Oceans.
36%
of the card body is recycled post-industrial plastic.
Some functional components including the chip, hologram and magnetic strip cannot be sourced as recycled plastic. The magnetic strip and scheme hologram contain a small amount of virgin material, but together make up less than 1% of the card.
How the card comes together
The journey begins with Parley for the Oceans collecting plastic from coastal areas within 50km of waterways. The plastic is cleaned, sorted and flaked by Parley and local partners, then used along with other recycled plastic to create the foils (sheets) that become the two core layers and inlay of our cards. Our card manufacturer adds the final overlay layers, which are made from recycled post-industrial plastic.
Top and bottom layer
Recycled post-industrial plastic (recycled polyethylene terephthalate glycol) also called rPETG
Middle layers
Plastic collected by Parley for the Oceans and recycled PET
Who are Parley for the Oceans?
Parley for the Oceans is a global environmental organisation dedicated to raising awareness of the beauty and fragility of our oceans, and collaborating on projects that can end their destruction.
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Ethical banking for people and the planet
As a customer-owned bank, we put customers first, balance purpose and profit, and make decisions that have a positive impact on people, communities and the planet. Being customer owned means our customers have a voice and a vote on how the bank is run. And the issues we take action on, including protecting nature and biodiversity.
- B Corp
- Net zero by 2035
- No lending to the fossil fuel industry
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Frequently asked questions
How can I get a card?
Existing customers will receive a new card when their current card expires or if they open a new account. New customers joining Bank Australia will receive a new card when they open an account.
Why still make physical bank cards?
We expect digital wallets will eventually replace the need for physical cards. But for now, many of our customers still rely on them. That's why we're committed to offering a responsibly made card — using recycled and plastic collected by Parley for the Oceans. By using rPET instead of virgin PVC, we avoid introducing new plastic into the world, and help repurpose plastic waste collected by Parley for the Oceans.
Why focus on plastic?
As a customer-owned bank, we take action on the issues that matter most to our customers. Our research6 shows that protecting nature and biodiversity is their second-highest priority, after climate action.
In our Nature Survey1 report, 95% of customers expressed moderate to extreme concern about rising plastic pollution in the environment.
Is the card really 100% recycled plastic?
Yes, the total plastic content of the card is 100% recycled, excluding additives required to make the card durable.
Three core layers are provided by Parley for the Oceans. These are made from plastic waste collected by Parley from the Oceans and recycled PET.
Two overlay layers are made from rPETG are added by our card manufacturer, Giesecke+Devrient (G+D).
To ensure the card functions properly and meets industry standards, a few non-recycled components are required — such as the microchip (metal), antenna (copper) and inks. The magnetic strip, and scheme hologram contain a small amount of virgin material, but together make up less than 1% of the card.
Where and how does the Parley for the Oceans plastic get collected and processed?
Parley for the Oceans collects plastic primarily in the Dominican Republic and the Maldives, within 50km of waterways.
At Parley's facilities, their sorting partners first clean, sort, and flake the suitable PET, separating it by type and colour. This processed material is 100% post-consumer PET. It is then sent to recycling partners in Germany, where it is hot washed, sorted, and pelletised. The pellets are then forwarded to Parley's production partner to create the card foils (sheets).
To ensure full traceability, physical ID Tracers are added into the plastic pellets. These are a unique set of nano ceramic markers that allow verification at every stage of the supply chain.
Parley is also working to improve efficiency by building a global network of partners and exploring innovations like 3D technologies and localised mini recycling plants to reduce transport emissions and streamline processing.
How can I identify my card type if I have low vision or use braille?
To support accessibility, our cards feature tactile braille dots located on the centre left of the card. These dots help you distinguish between card types:
- 1 dot — Platinum card
- 2 dots — Debit card
- 4 dots — Credit card
Align your banking with your values
The money in your bank account doesn’t just sit there. Banks use it to lend and invest, shaping the world we live in. Our new cards are 100% recycled plastic*, with 64% collected from coastal communities by Parley for the Oceans.
*Some functional components including the chip, hologram and magnetic strip cannot be sourced as recycled plastic.
