Eco-Friendly Banking with TreeCard: World’s First Wooden Debit Card

2nd November 2020

“I like the idea that everyday actions can be a force for environmental and social good,” says Jamie Cox, the co-founder of the world’s first wooden debit card.

Debit and credit cards are produced by the billion each year globally. While a seemingly insignificant part of our everyday lives, these plastic cards have a considerable carbon footprint. In response to this environmental impact, TreeCard, a fintech startup, is paving a green road in the finance world with their plan to launch wooden debit cards, and to use part of their profits to plant trees. The card is made with sustainably sourced cherry wood, and one tree can be used to make up to 300,000 cards.

The card is compatible with popularly used online wallets like Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay. The startup will also release an app which allows the user to perform basic digital banking procedures as well as keep a track of the number of trees planted through their spending.

The idea was inspired by Cox’s mother, an avid Ecosia user, who expressed her wish to be able to plant trees through her everyday spending.

“Planting trees is a way for us to take direct action,” said Cox, who was also inspired by David Attenborough’s environmental activism and the urgent need to tackle climate change.

Cox believes that banks should play their part in reducing their impact on the planet, and that TreeCard could be the first step towards positive change in the field of finance.