Initiative aims to convert plastic-based gift cards to more sustainable paper substrates by end of 2024

Global branded payments leader, Blackhawk Network, is dedicated to leading change toward a more sustainable future in the gift card industry by providing more environmentally friendly card products. Today, the company announced its intention to support its partners to convert a meaningful percentage of its globally distributed card products from virgin plastic to paper-based materials by the end of 2024, and the majority of its suite of original content and multi-brand gift cards to eco-friendly, biodegradable and paper-based materials by the end of 2023. With billions of cards produced annually worldwide, a shift to more eco-friendly materials can have a substantial benefit with minimal disruption to brands, merchants and consumers.

Blackhawk has offered an array of eco-friendly products across global markets for several years, leveraging paper-based and recycled substrates. Thanks to more evolved technology, supply chain and card manufacturer offerings, the company is now able to scale its environmental commitments for greater reach and impact. Further, as digital adoption continues to rise, Blackhawk continues to innovate its digital card offerings to help lessen the demand for plastic-based cards in both its ecommerce and incentives channels.

“Blackhawk distributes approximately 775M gift cards across the globe annually. As a company, we realize we have a unique ability to facilitate a substantial, positive impact on our environment, and feel that it’s our responsibility to help pave the way in our industry to do so,” said Jay Jaffin, chief marketing officer at Blackhawk Network. “People are more aware than ever of how their behaviors, habits and lifestyles impact our environment, and millions are committed to reducing their environmental footprint. We commend those efforts and want to continue to do our part in supporting them.”

Outside of the positive impact to the environment, plastic-free gift cards also make a compelling statement as powerful symbols of change as consumers, too, focus on making more environmentally conscious decisions in their everyday lives. Blackhawk is supporting changes in the way shoppers gift, pay, reward, and use gift and prepaid cards while also making its own commitment to the Earth.

About Blackhawk Network

Blackhawk Network delivers payment solutions through the prepaid products, technologies and network that connect brands and people. We collaborate with our partners to innovate, translating market trends in branded payments to increase reach, loyalty and revenue. We reliably execute security-minded solutions worldwide. Join us as we shape the future of global branded payments. Learn more at blackhawknetwork.com.

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