FirstBank unveils recycled debit card in Puerto Rico
FirstBank has introduced Puerto Rico’s first debit card made with recycled plastic, part of what the bank calls its commitment to sustainability.
The card’s interior is produced with SecondWave-certified material sourced from coastal areas and waterways at high risk of plastic pollution, the bank said. The design includes the SecondWave turtle logo, which symbolizes marine life protection.
“At FirstBank, we are constantly looking for ways to contribute to the well-being of the island and environment through concrete actions, and this new card is innovation with a purpose,” said Ginoris López–Lay, executive vice president of strategic planning and management at FirstBank.
She added that while the card meets all security and technology standards, its most valuable feature is its use of material that otherwise could have ended up in the ocean.
The debit card complies with financial industry standards, including Europay, Mastercard and Visa Co. (EMVCo) certification, ensuring security for chip and contactless payments. Customers whose cards are expiring will automatically receive the new version, while new account holders — both individual and business — will also be issued the sustainable card.
FirstBank said the production of 100,000 cards prevents more than 15,000 plastic bottles and 30,000 bags from entering oceans, rivers and beaches. The material, known as recovered ocean-bound plastic, is collected within 50 kilometers (31 miles) of coasts in areas without effective waste management systems.
The initiative aligns with the bank’s “Rescate Costero” project, launched in 2023 to preserve and restore coastal areas through cleanup and tree-planting campaigns. FirstBank invited the community to join upcoming awareness activities through its “Uno con el ambiente” (“One With the Environment”) program.
