RHB Bank to launch recycled debit card in Asia Pacific in partnership with IDEMIA, WWF-Malaysia and Visa

By Edil Corneille

Courbevoie-based IDEMIA, announced that it partnered with RHB Bank, which is headquartered in Malaysia, for the launch of the eco-friendly RHB debit card in collaboration with WWF-Malaysia and Visa. The recycled PVC payment card is called the RHB Visa WWF Debit Card-i, and is designed for the bank’s customers with the aim to strengthen its commitment in sustainable practices and to raise public awareness in the conservation and environmental sustainability of the marine ecosystem.

“Most discarded plastics end up in the ocean to the detriment of marine life. Our new recycled plastic card is our way of contributing directly to the conservation of ocean life through partnering with IDEMIA and global affiliated NGOs such as WWF-Malaysia.” said Dato’ Adissadikin Ali, Managing Director, RHB Islamic Bank Berhad.

The recycled PVC payment cards save a total mass of 3.18g industrial waste per finished card, which can amount in thousands of tons of material saved if the industry moves in a sustainable direction.

“Part of innovation is being aware of the impact that our development has on society and the world we live in. Essentially, it is about finding new solutions that help us harmonise efficiency and sustainability,” said Vincent Mouret, Senior Vice-President of Financial Institutions Asia Pacific at IDEMIA. “IDEMIA is proud to be part of the solution in creating less plastic waste and reducing land and water pollution while optimizing our carbon footprint. Every single contribution we can make towards a greener world matters.”

The RHB Visa WWF Debit Card-i will be available to all existing RHB customers as well as new customers in Malaysia in July 2020. The cards have passed all durability testing and are ISO-certified and EMV compliant.