Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Thursday, 18 September 2025 05:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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Assistant General Manager – Sustainable Banking Surekha Kulasekera
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Bank of Ceylon (BOC) yesterday announced the launch of Sri Lanka’s first-ever biodegradable banking card.
The card is made from non-edible, corn-based polylactic acid from renewable sources and is industrially compostable, providing an environmentally responsible alternative to traditional PVC-based plastic cards that often end up in landfills and take centuries to decompose.
The bank in a statement said that the initiative was a key part of BOC’s commitment to embedding sustainability into its products and services, ensuring that its financial solutions align with both local and global environmental priorities while offering customers a greener choice. It said that in the banking industry alone, millions of cards are issued annually, contributing to growing landfill waste when cards expire or are replaced. The introduction of BOC’s biodegradable banking card addresses this issue head-on.
BOC Assistant General Manager – Sustainable Banking Surekha Kulasekera said: “This is more than just a card—it’s a statement of our values. We are proud to be the first bank in Sri Lanka to offer a biodegradable banking card, and we believe this innovation will inspire both our customers and our peers to think differently about sustainability.”
She added: “Through our collaboration with global card technology leader Thales in India and our partnership with Mastercard, we also ensure that this product not only supports the planet but provides our customers with global and international payment choices.”
The new biodegradable card initiative aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, SDG 13 – Climate Action, and SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals.
Over recent years, the bank has invested in green technologies, digital banking solutions, and paperless transactions. The biodegradable banking card complements these efforts by addressing a tangible and visible element of the customer experience.
“Every time a customer uses this card, they are part of a larger movement towards a greener future,” added Kulasekera. “It’s a daily reminder that small changes, multiplied across millions of people, can create a profound environmental impact.”
The biodegradable banking card will be rolled out in phases, beginning with new card issuances and renewals. Customers holding existing plastic cards will have the option to switch to the biodegradable version upon renewal.
The card maintains the same high standards of security, durability, and functionality as conventional cards, ensuring a seamless transition without compromising user experience.
“BOC has been part of Sri Lanka’s journey for over eight decades, and as we look towards the future, we remain dedicated to being a positive force for change,” Kulasekera said. “Our biodegradable banking card is just the beginning of a series of sustainable innovations that we plan to introduce in the coming years.”
