Tomorrow is Earth Day, and we’ll hear companies worldwide make their annual declarations about what they’re doing to fight climate change. Smart business leaders know the pressure to reduce their companies’ carbon footprints weighs on their shoulders every single day. Investors, board members, consumers, and the SEC want businesses to do more than pay lip service to reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions — they want to see measurable results.
Virtual Incentives saw a 95% YoY growth in Virtual VISA issuance compared to a 65% increase in Physical VISA gift cards in 2021.
One step companies can take to reduce the ever-growing volume of single-use plastics is to replace the plastic gift cards they issue to consumers and their employees with their digital alternatives.
Plastic gift cards (along with debit and credit cards) are typically made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a type of plastic that is not recyclable in local curbside or commercial recycling programs. Even if consumers and businesses are careful to dispose of them in recycling bins, the cards will still likely end up in landfills or, worse, pollute the environment.
We can help you make the transition to issuing digital payments. Our reward platform offers a selection of eGift Cards from more than 1,050 brands in 51 countries and 43 currencies. Just as importantly, you create an engaging experience for recipients that includes instantaneous digital delivery and allows them to choose rewards from their favorite brands.
Replacing physical cards with digital payments won’t enable your company to achieve all of your carbon footprint reduction goals. Still, it can be a crucial piece of your Environment Social Governance (ESG) program, and your commitment to reducing the amount of plastic the global community consumes and disposes of won’t go unnoticed. Deloitte research shows that consumers expect businesses to reduce the amount of single-use plastic products they manufacture or distribute. They’re also increasingly linking their spending habits and brand loyalties to companies they perceive share their commitment to protecting the environment.
Visit the Earth Day website to learn other steps your company can take to reduce plastic pollution and fight climate change. #InvestInOurPlanet.