Eco-Friendly Credit Cards Let You Earn Rewards While Helping the Environment

If you’re looking for a way to support the environment, consider making your next credit card one that supports green initiatives like lower carbon emissions, better banking practices, tree planting or that partners with green brands.
Climate change affects the most important aspects of our lives, including the air we breathe, what we eat and how we travel.
While the responsibility shouldn’t always fall on the individual when large corporations are pumping billions of dollars into the fossil fuel industry each year (download the Banking on Climate Chaos report to learn more and plant a tree!), being conscious of what purchases you’re making and which financial institutions you’re supporting could go a long way toward building a greener, more sustainable future.
What is an eco-friendly credit card?
Eco-friendly credit cards are credit cards that do more for the environment than standard credit cards. They’re typically created using recycled or sustainable materials such as recycled plastic, metal or wood.
Their rewards may revolve around sustainable products, or a portion of the rewards or purchase might be donated toward environmental initiatives. Many of them are designed to help offset your carbon footprint, minimizing your environmental impact.
The issuing bank typically won’t lend to fossil-fuel companies or other harmful industries and is likely involved in supporting the environment or social movements through nonprofit organizations or other programs.
What are the benefits of an eco-friendly credit card?
Some of the ethical benefits include reducing your carbon footprint or impact on the environment, supporting green initiatives and having a cleaner conscience. Some eco-friendly credit cards are also rewarding in terms of spending. If you don’t have a flat-rate cash back card or a credit card that offers rewards for your everyday purchases like EV charging or groceries, consider one that also works to better the environment while earning rewards.
How to choose the best eco-friendly credit card
Choosing the right eco-friendly card will come down to your spending habits, which financial institution you prefer to support and making sure your card is made from sustainable materials.
Material
Eco-friendly credit cards are usually made with sustainable materials, which could include recycled plastics, metal or wood. Be sure the card you choose isn’t built from harmful plastics that could lead to more waste.
Rewards
Choosing the best rewards credit card — eco-friendly or otherwise — comes down to where you typically spend money. You’ll want to make sure that the card’s rewards match how you spend and won’t encourage you to either overspend or to make purchases you otherwise wouldn’t have.
Annual fee
Consider whether the card carries an annual fee and if you’re able to generate enough rewards to cover it through your normal spending habits. An annual fee can be worth paying as it can translate to greater rewards and better card perks. But in some cases it could be more of a detriment if you’re unable to offset the cost with the value of the card’s rewards.
Banking institution
A major aspect of choosing the right eco-friendly card is taking a look at the issuing bank. You’ll want to make sure the issuer isn’t involved in funding any environmentally-harmful industries like fossil fuels. Instead, look for financial institutions that support the kind of non-profit organizations or initiatives that align with your values.
Should you get an eco-friendly credit card?
If you’re concerned about your impact on the environment, consider choosing a credit card that’ll help to minimize it. Not only can you find some rewarding options, but you can also swipe your card knowing you’re helping to better the world for you and everyone else.
On the other hand, eco-friendly credit cards typically won’t be the most lucrative option from a pure rewards standpoint. If maximizing your credit card rewards and benefits is your primary goal, but you still want to help the environment, consider getting a regular cash-back card and donating your rewards to nonprofit organizations that support the environment. You can also practice environmentally conscious spending habits regardless of what payment method you use.
How to apply for an eco-friendly credit card
Follow these steps to apply for an eco-friendly credit card:
Choose the card that best aligns with your beliefs and spending habits. Go to the card issuer’s website to securely apply online. Fill out an application with all of the required personal and financial information. Use your card responsibly and always pay on time.
FAQs
How are eco-friendly credit cards different from regular credit cards? Eco-friendly credit cards might be made from sustainable materials and their issuers typically support non-profit organizations or other initiatives that work toward bettering the environment. This may include forest conservation, limiting carbon emissions or other green initiatives. Some eco-friendly credit cards are issued by banks that avoid doing business with environmentally-unfriendly industries, like the fossil fuel industry.
Are plastic credit cards bad for the environment? Plastic credit cards themselves can be harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly. In addition, many large banks that issue the cards invest in environmentally-harmful industries like fossil fuels.
Which eco-friendly card is easiest to get? The FutureCard Visa Card will be the easiest to qualify for because it’s a debit card and not a credit card. That means there’s no credit check required; all you need is a valid bank account to link.
*All information about the FutureCard Visa Debit Card has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
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