Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) has introduced a biodegradable credit card that it claims is the first in the U.S.
The card is made of biodegradable PVC, 99% of which suppposedly breaks down under landfill conditions.
The biodegradable card can be identified by the biodegradable symbol that will be visible on the back of the card.
According to a New York Times report, the company making the plastic is called BIOPVC. Owner and President Paul Kappus said the cards contain an additive that attracts microorganisms, which consume the carbon in the plastic, decomposing it into carbon dioxide, water and a mild salt. No toxic vinyl chloride remains, Kappus said.
In 2006, the United States Census Bureau determined that there were nearly 1.5 billion credit cards in use in the U.S. A stack of all those credit cards would reach more than 70 miles into space.
In other retail news...
Sprint (NYSE:S) recently announced an aggressive goal of 90% reuse/recycling by 2017.
A recent Sprint survey found that nine out of 10 surveyed customers own at least one and as many as five old, unused mobile phones. To encourage consumers to recycle, Sprint is offering two free programs.
Sprint Buyback allows customers to return eligible Sprint or Nextel devices for account credits.
Sprint Project Connect accepts all wireless phones, batteries, accessories and data cards, regardless of carrier or condition. Free postage-paid envelopes are available at any Sprint-owned retail store, and come in the box with most new phones sold by Sprint.
