Plastic Card Alternatives: 3 Industries to Make the Switch in 2026

The historical reliance on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for identification, access, and transactional purposes is no longer merely an environmental concern but a significant operational and regulatory liability.
With approximately 26 billion cards in circulation worldwide, the industry generates 5.7 billion tonnes of plastic waste annually. Much of this waste can take up to 500 years to break down. 
For forward thinking organisations plastic card alternatives are no longer a niche preference but a core component of fiscal and environmental strategy. Driven by regulatory pressure such as the EU’s packaging waste regulation (PPWR) and the UK’s plastic packaging tax which is set to rise to £228.82 per tonne in April 2026. 
As a result, industries are rapidly adopting sustainable card solutions like enviricard to improve their sustainability operations, meet ESG targets and avoid regulatory advancements. Here are the three sectors that should lead the transition in 2026.

The Events Industry: Embracing "Material Honesty" 

The events industry has historically been a significant contributor to single-use plastic waste through short term use plastic identification badges. In 2026, sustainable operations are spreading. 

In 2025 enviricard partnered with the world's largest event organiser cVent. Read our full case study to discover more about this excellent step forward to sustainable events. This landmark partnership allowed event organisers to cut ID card related carbon emissions by 57%, while reducing their plastic waste to zero. This was achieved by implementing enviricard’s independently certified FSC paperboard invercote, allowing attendees to use and discard their ID cards knowing they are recyclable in paper mills and compostable in industrial processing. 

Considering this case study, the events industry is a clear example of where enviricard’s eco-friendly paperboard cards can be successfully implemented without compromising on quality or functionality. A true example of an industry that needs to make the switch to plastic card alternatives in 2026.  

Financial Services: The Rise of Sustainable Contactless Cards

The financial sector faces one of the highest hurdles for sustainability, requiring cards that support NFC technology. In 2026, sustainable practice has become a baseline expectation especially amongst millennial and Gen Z consumers. As a result, there is significant pressure for the removal of all things plastic. 

Research by Mastercard shows that 60% of consumers globally are now concerned about the environmental impact of their credit and debit cards, specifically regarding the materials used (such as first-use PVC plastic). Furthermore, 47% are more likely to choose a financial institution that offers green alternatives. Considering Mastercard has announced it will ban first-use or virgin plastic from its payment cards by January 2028, it has set the scene for enviricard’s enviriPayTM solution. 

Enviricard’s enviriPay™ technology has revolutionised this space by embedding NXP payment chips within multi-layer paperboard structures. These cards are fully compatible with existing tap-to-pay POS systems and Visa/Mastercard rails, allowing banks to ditch plastic without compromising security. 

Hospitality: Sustainable Loyalty and Key Card Solutions

In hospitality, the physical card is a vital touchpoint for guest "intentionality"—the desire for experiences aligned with personal values. In 2026, sustainable card solutions are being used to differentiate loyalty programs in a market where true customer loyalty had previously dropped to 29%.

Eco-friendly hotel key cards and loyalty credentials provide a tactile reminder of a brand’s ESG commitment. Major chains, such as IHG Hotels in Fiji, have already transitioned to wood or paperboard alternatives, saving 20,000 plastic cards per year from landfills.   

By switching to biodegradable key cards, hotels not only appeal to the 73% of Millennials who prefer eco-responsible brands but also reduce their Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees by up to 50%. These paperboard cards utilize standard RFID technology (MIFARE®, DESFire®), ensuring they work seamlessly with existing hotel lock systems.