Costa Rica launches Central America's first 'biodegradable' bank card
Costa Rica "BAC" bank recently launched Central America's first "biodegradable" bank card. The card features an environmentally friendly material that can be processed into fertilizer for a positive environmental impact.
Costa Rica's "lateja.cr" website reported on December 6 that 82% of the card body of the bank card is made of non-edible corn-derived material, which is also known as "polylactic acid" (PLA). Producing PLA requires 28% less energy and emits 68% less greenhouse gases than plastic. In addition, the material can be fertilized and returned to the ecological cycle in just a few months, rather than thousands of years to degrade like plastic.
The remaining 18% of the card body is chips, antennas and other structures. The card body graphics are not drawn with solvent-based inks, but water-based inks are used to prevent toxic fumes from being produced when the cards are printed. Additionally, the envelopes used in the card packaging are made from 100% recycled paper. After the expiration date, the envelope will also be recycled to promote the development of circular economy.
