Company Plans to Introduce First Credit Card Made with Ocean Plastic
American Express (NYSE: AXP) and Parley, an organization focused on
combating marine plastic pollution, today announced a collaboration to
raise awareness of this issue with Card Members, business partners and
colleagues. As part of the effort, American Express announced plans to
launch the first-ever American Express Card manufactured primarily from
recovered plastic found in the oceans and on the coasts. Additionally,
American Express is committing to reduce the use of single-use plastic
within its operations globally.
“Every second breath we take is created by the oceans. Without them, we
can’t exist. American Express is creating a symbol of change
and inviting their network to shape a blue future, one based on
creativity, collaboration and eco-innovation.” Cyrill Gutsch, founder of
Parley for the Oceans.
American Express’ first ocean plastic Card will be made with upcycled
marine plastic debris. The Card is currently a prototype and will be
tested and refined over time with public availability anticipated in the
next 12 months. The inspiration for the card is to combat plastic
pollution in the oceans and to raise awareness of this important issue.
“Our oceans play a vital role in our lives, the health of our planet and
the health of travel and tourism, which American Express has long
supported. It’s important that we raise awareness and do our part to
keep our oceans blue,” said Doug Buckminster, Group President of Global
Consumer Services, American Express. “Partnering with Parley is the
right next step as we pursue our larger vision of backing our
communities and sustaining the planet we share.”
American Express will evolve its operations to embody Parley’s AIR
(Avoid, Intercept, Redesign) philosophy through a corporate pledge to
limit single-use plastics, intercept plastic waste and redesign existing
materials and plastic products. American Express will:
-
Pursue a strategy to reduce the use of virgin plastic in Card products.
-
Phase out single-use plastic straws and coffee stirrers for all its
major offices and Centurion airport lounges globally within 30 days.
-
Phase out single-use plastic for Centurion airport lounges by the end
of the year.
-
Set a comprehensive waste reduction strategy to reduce single-use
plastic and increase recycling rates in its operations globally by the
end of the year.
-
Pursue zero waste certification for its New York City headquarters by
2025.
-
Enable American Express colleagues to be a part of the solution by
engaging in annual company-run coastal and river clean-ups.
Other steps American Express has taken to become a more environmentally
sustainable company include:
-
Reduced carbon emissions associated with its business operations by 50
percent compared to 2011.
-
All electricity powering the company’s U.S. data centers and New York
City headquarters is from renewable energy.
-
Nearly 50 percent of the company’s global real estate footprint is
green building certified.
-
$3.9 million has been provided in support of the environment and
wildlife through the company’s Gift Matching and Serve2Gether programs
in 2017.
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Commitment to have 100% of its employee business travel be carbon
neutral by 2021.
To learn more, please visit www.parley.tv/updates/amexparley
or follow the movement at #AmexParley.
About American Express
American Express is a global services company, providing customers with
access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build
business success. Learn more at americanexpress.com
and connect with us on facebook.com/americanexpress,
instagram.com/americanexpress,
linkedin.com/company/american-express,
twitter.com/americanexpress,
and youtube.com/americanexpress.
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About Parley
Parley for the Oceans is the global network where creators, thinkers and
leaders from the creative industries, brands, governments and
environmental groups come together to raise awareness for the beauty and
fragility of the oceans and collaborate on projects that can end their
destruction. The organization has formed alliances with major
corporations including adidas, Anheuser Busch InBev (Corona), Intel; the
United Nations; the Maldives and collaborators spanning the worlds of
science, art, fashion, design, entertainment, sports, and space and
ocean exploration. To know more: www.parley.tv
American Express:
Charlotte Fuller
American Express
Charlotte.Fuller@aexp.com
212-640-6841
or
Caitlin Faford
PMK BNC
Caitlin.Faford@pmkbnc.com
212-373-6105
or
Parley:
Silvia Raccagni
Parley for the Oceans
silvia@parley.tv
646-860-5906
or
Carly Baum
Karla Otto
Carly.Baum@karlaotto.com
212-255-8588
or
Giada Bufalini
Karla Otto
giada.bufalini@karlaotto.com
212-462-3784