Most major retailers offer some type of plastic gift card, and they have become a very popular gift option. But what happens to those cards when they are no longer needed? Are they recyclable?
The answer is yes and no. Plastic gift cards are made from PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, which is not recyclable. However, the PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, used for the backing on many cards is recyclable.
So, if you have a plastic gift card that you no longer need, you can remove the PET backing and recycle it.
The Recycling Journey for Plastic Cards and Label's
Gift cards are a popular choice for holiday gifts, but what happens to them when they’re no longer needed? Are plastic gift cards recyclable?
The answer is yes and no.
Plastic gift cards can be recycled, but only if they are unused and still have the protective film intact. Once the film is removed or the card is used, it can no longer be recycled.
So what should you do with your old gift cards?
If they’re still usable, donate them to a local charity or sell them online. If they’re not usable, cut them up into small pieces before throwing them away so that they can’t be reused.
Where Can You Recycle Plastic Gift Cards
If you have plastic gift cards that you no longer want or need, there are a few options for recycling them. Here are a few ideas of where you can recycle your plastic gift cards:
1. Recycle Your Plastic Gift Cards at a Local Grocery Store
Most grocery stores have bins near the entrance/exit where you can recycle various items, including plastic gift cards. This is a quick and easy way to recycle your unwanted gift cards.
2. Mail Your Plastic Gift Cards in for Recycling
There are a few companies that will accept your unwanted plastic gift cards and recycle them for you. One such company is Earthworks Systems (earthworkssystems.com). They have a mail-in program where you can send in up to 5 pounds of plastic gift cards per month.
They will then shred the cards and use them to make recycled products like park benches and picnic tables.
3. Donate Your Plastic Gift Cards to Charity
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of recycling your own gift cards, another option is to donate them to charity.
There are many charities that would be happy to receive your unwanted gift card donations, such as The Salvation Army or Goodwill. This is a great way to help others while also getting rid of those unwanted gift cards!
Credit: earth911.com
What Can You Do With Old Plastic Gift Cards?
If you have a stash of old plastic gift cards that you’re not sure what to do with, don’t worry – there are actually quite a few things you can do! Here are four ideas:
1. Sell them online: There are a number of websites that will buy your unwanted gift cards from you – and some of them will even pay cash!
So if you’ve got a bunch of cards that you know you’ll never use, see if you can get rid of them for some extra spending money.
2. Use them as trade-ins: A lot of retailers will accept old gift cards as trade-ins for new ones. So if there’s a store that you frequent and they have a card exchange program, it could be worth your while to bring in your old cards and swap them for something more useful.
3. Donate them: If you don’t want to sell or trade-in your old gift cards, consider donating them to charity. There are a number of organizations that accept donated gift cards and use them to help those in need – so it’s a great way to give back while getting rid of something you don’t need.
4. Use them as rewards: Finally, if you’ve got kids (or even pets!), consider using those old gift cards as rewards for good behavior or accomplishing tasks.
It’s a great way to motivate the little ones – and they’ll probably be pretty excited about getting their hands on some “free” stuff!
What Should You Do With Old Gift Cards?
Gift cards are a great way to give someone the ability to buy what they want, but sometimes they go unused. If you have an old gift card that you don’t think you’ll use, there are a few things you can do with it.
One option is to sell the card online.
There are websites that allow you to list your unwanted gift cards and set your own price. This is a great way to get rid of a card that you don’t want without having to spend any money yourself.
Another option is to donate the card to charity.
Many charities will accept unwanted gift cards and use them to help those in need. This is a great way to give back and make sure your old gift card goes to good use.
If you’re not sure what to do with an old gift card, try one of these options and put it to good use!
How Do I Dispose of Plastic Credit Cards?
You may have noticed that your plastic credit cards are starting to show their age. The corners are fraying and the once-glossy surface is now dull and scratched. But before you dispose of them, you should know how to properly get rid of your plastic credit cards.
Most importantly, do not simply throw them away in the trash. While it may seem like an easy solution, this can cause serious environmental problems. Plastic takes centuries to break down, so it will sit in a landfill for years to come.
And if the landfill happens to be near a water source, there’s a chance that the chemicals from the decaying plastic could leach into the groundwater and contaminate it.
So what’s the best way to dispose of your old plastic credit cards? The first step is to cut up the card so that it can’t be used again.
This includes cutting through the magnetic stripe on the back of the card as well as any embossed numbers or letters (such as your name or account number). Once you’ve cut up the card, you can put it in with your regular recycling.
If you don’t have access to recycling, or if you’re not sure whether your local facility accepts plastics, another option is to send the card back to the issuer.
Most major issuers have programs in place for recycling old credit cards. For example, Visa has a program called “Go Green with Visa Recycling” where they will take back any unwanted Visa cards and recycle them for you. Simply visit their website and fill out a form with your contact information and mailing address; they will then send you a shipping label so you can send them your old cards free of charge.
So next time your plastic credit cards start looking worn out, don’t just toss them in the trash – take some time to properly recycle them instead!
What Plastic are Gift Cards Made Of?
Most gift cards are made of PVC, or polyvinyl chloride. PVC is a durable, flexible and inexpensive plastic that can be easily molded into different shapes. It’s often used in packaging, toys and building materials.
Conclusion
Plastic gift cards are recyclable, but there are a few things you need to know before recycling them. First, you need to make sure that the gift card is made of PVC plastic. You can usually tell by looking for the recycle symbol on the back of the card.
If it doesn’t have this symbol, it’s likely not made of PVC and cannot be recycled. Second, you need to cut off any metal parts of the card, such as the magnetic stripe or barcode. These can damage recycling equipment.
Once you’ve prepped your card for recycling, you can put it in your curbside recycling bin or take it to a local recycling center.