American Express To Roll Out Credit Card Made From Recovered Plastics

American Express and Parley, an organization focused on combating marine plastic pollution, are teaming up to raise awareness about the issue. The payments company is planning to launch the first Amex card made from plastics recovered from the oceans and coasts.

In a press release last week, Amex said it is also committing to reduce the use of single-use plastic within its operations around the globe. “Our oceans play a vital role in our lives, the health of our planet and the health of travel and tourism, which American Express has long supported. It’s important that we raise awareness and do our part to keep our oceans blue,” said Doug Buckminster, group president of global consumer services, in the press release announcing the new efforts. “Partnering with Parley is the right next step as we pursue our larger vision of backing our communities and sustaining the planet we share.”

American Express said that its first ocean plastic card, which will be made with upcycled marine plastic debris, is currently a prototype that will be tested and refined over time. The card is expected to be publicly available in the next 12 months, American Express said in the press release.

The goal is to combat plastic pollution in the oceans and raise awareness about the issue. “Every second breath we take is created by the oceans. Without them, we can’t exist. American Express is creating a symbol of change and inviting their network to shape a blue future, one based on creativity, collaboration and eco-innovation,” Cyrill Gutsch, founder of Parley for the Oceans, said in the same press release.

As for Amex’s role, the payments company said it will phase out single-use plastic straws and coffee stirrers for all its major offices and Centurion airport lounges around the world within 30 days; phase out single-use plastic for Centurion airport lounges by the end of the year; set a comprehensive waste reduction strategy to reduce single-use plastic and increase recycling rates in its global operations by the end of the year; pursue zero-waste certification for its New York City headquarters by 2025; and run annual company-operated coastal and river clean-ups.