Maya Transitions to 100% Recycled Plastic Cards for Mastercard and Visa Users

Quick Summary

Maya is launching recycled plastic cards made from rPVC for its Mastercard and Visa prepaid portfolio. This initiative aims to transition all newly produced cards to 100% recycled materials by late 2026, reducing virgin plastic use while maintaining secure access to 150 million global merchant locations.

How Does Maya Implement Recycled Plastic Cards?

Maya is addressing environmental concerns by phasing out virgin plastic in its physical card production. By utilizing recycled Polyvinyl Chloride (rPVC), the digital banking leader ensures that every new prepaid card issued meets high sustainability standards without compromising the secure payment experience users require for daily transactions. These cards will be clearly identifiable by a "Made from 100% Recycled Plastic" mark on the reverse side.

• 100% recycled materials used for all new card production by year-end.
• Global acceptance remains at over 150 million Mastercard and Visa merchant locations.
• Full durability maintained, ensuring the cards withstand typical ATM and POS usage.

What Environmental Impact Does This Initiative Have?

The shift to recycled plastic cards is a core component of Maya’s broader ESG strategy. By integrating responsible business practices directly into their hardware, Maya reduces its reliance on fossil-fuel-based plastics. This move aligns with their ongoing monitoring of Scope 1 and 2 emissions, which the company has tracked since 2022 to minimize its total carbon footprint. The initiative also coincides with Philippine Environment Month, highlighting a localized commitment to global ecological standards.

"The most meaningful sustainability efforts are often the ones that become part of how a business operates," said Shailesh Baidwan, Group President of Maya and Co-Founder of Maya Bank. "By transitioning our card portfolio to recycled plastic, we're integrating more responsible practices into products used by our customers every day. It reflects our belief that sustainability should be embedded into how we build and grow our business."

How Does This Benefit the Fintech Ecosystem?

For the broader industry, Maya demonstrates how digital financial ecosystems can scale sustainability. Beyond the physical cards, the company promotes energy conservation initiatives like #MayaSWITCH to foster a culture of stewardship. This holistic approach ensures that long-term value creation for stakeholders is tied to environmental health, proving that high-growth fintechs can prioritize the planet while expanding their market share across Southeast Asia.

FF NEWS TAKE:

Maya’s transition to recycled plastic cards is a significant step for the Philippine fintech sector. While many banks treat ESG as a marketing exercise, Maya is embedding sustainability into its core product - the physical touchpoint for millions of users. This move effectively "moves the needle" by proving that sustainable hardware is no longer a niche luxury but a standard requirement for modern, responsible digital banking at scale.