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5 Best Eco-Friendly Credit Cards of 2025: Green Your Wallet & The Planet
December 12, 2024
Looking for a credit card that aligns with your earth-friendly values? Good news – a growing number of “green” credit cards let you earn rewards while making a positive impact. From cards that donate to climate causes to those made of sustainable materials, we’ve rounded up the 5 best eco-friendly credit cards in 2025. Each of these picks can help you green your wallet (literally) and support the planet at the same time.
Whether you want to fund environmental nonprofits with your everyday purchases or simply carry a card made from recycled ocean plastic, there’s an option here for you. Let’s dive into the top eco-conscious credit cards and what makes them stand out.
1. Beneficial State Bank Climate Card – Best for Climate Donations
Why it’s green:
Beneficial State Bank’s Climate Card enables you to earn rewards and support climate causes at the same time. You get 1 point per dollar on purchases, and those points can be redeemed as donations to vetted climate nonprofits of your choice. Essentially, your cashback turns into a charitable contribution for the environment. Beneficial State Bank itself is a socially and environmentally responsible B-Corp bank, so you know your finances aren’t funding fossil fuels.
Key features:
- Rewards: 1X point per $1 on all spending. Instead of cash back, points are used to donate to climate-related nonprofits (you can choose from options including wildlife conservation, reforestation, and climate justice groups). This makes your everyday spending a steady stream of support for green causes.
- Annual Fee: $0 – it costs nothing to carry this card.
- Eco Benefits: Donations don’t cost you anything out-of-pocket; they are funded by the card issuer from interchange fees. Also, the bank’s commitment to ethical banking (no fossil fuel investments) amplifies the impact of using their card.
- Who it’s best for: Ideal if you want a simple, no-annual-fee card and like the idea of automatically contributing to environmental charities. It’s available to people in certain West Coast states (CA, OR, WA) where Beneficial State operates, and even folks with fair credit may qualify.
2. Green America Rewards Visa – Best for Nonprofit Support
Why it’s green:
The Green America Rewards Platinum Visa® is an affinity card that directly supports the nonprofit Green America. A portion of every purchase you make is channeled to Green America’s work building a green economy. This card is issued by TCM Bank, but branded for Green America, meaning your swipes help fund programs like clean energy initiatives, fair trade advocacy, and sustainable agriculture through the organization.
Key features:
- Donation with each swipe: Each transaction automatically directs a small percentage to Green America (at no extra cost to you). Over time, your spending contributes to funding renewable energy projects, stopping climate pollution, and more through Green America’s campaigns.
- Rates & Fees: Typically has no annual fee (as is common with many affinity cards) and a competitive APR. It’s a straightforward Visa with worldwide acceptance.
- Standard rewards: Aside from the donations, it may offer a modest base rewards program (often 1% cash back or points) for the cardholder as well. The real highlight, however, is knowing part of every dollar you spend helps an environmental nonprofit.
- Who it’s best for: Supporters of Green America or anyone who wants their credit card rewards to explicitly fund environmental advocacy. If you’re going to swipe for groceries and gas anyway, why not propel a bit of that spending toward systemic change?
3. Amalgamated Bank Maximum Rewards World Mastercard® – Best for Sustainable Banking
Why it’s green:
This card itself offers solid cash-back rewards, but what makes it eco-friendly is the bank behind it. Amalgamated Bank is a well-known socially responsible bank – B-Corp certified, powered by 100% renewable energy, and a member of the Net Zero Banking Alliance.
Crucially, Amalgamated has a policy against financing fossil fuel companies. By using their Maximum Rewards World Mastercard, you’re supporting a bank that actively avoids harming the environment and even supports conservation efforts.
Key features:
- Rewards: Earn 1.5% cash back (in points) on everyday purchases (typical of “Maximum Rewards” products) – or similar rewards structure. This makes it a good all-purpose card for spending, on par with other flat-rate cashback cards.
- Annual Fee: $0.
- Eco angle: The card is issued through Amalgamated/First National Bank of Omaha. While it doesn’t donate automatically, the bank often runs promotions or options for cardholders to donate points to charity. The biggest impact is indirect: your fees and interest (if any) aren’t funding oil drilling or pipelines, but rather staying with a bank focused on sustainable investments.
- Who it’s best for: Those who want a competitive everyday rewards card but from a bank aligned with their values. If you’ve been avoiding big banks for ethical reasons, this card lets you put your money where your morals are without sacrificing rewards.
4. American Express Green Card – Best Mainstream Eco Card
Why it’s green:
Don’t be fooled by the name – the American Express Green Card isn’t called “green” just for the environment. It’s actually a travel and dining rewards card. However, American Express gave this card an eco-friendly twist: it’s manufactured from 70% reclaimed plastic (much of it collected from marine environments).
Amex partnered with Parley for the Oceans to source plastic waste and turn it into these cards. So carrying the Green Card means you’re literally carrying recycled ocean plastic in your wallet. Additionally, Amex encourages Green Card members to use points for charitable donations (through their Members Give program) which can include environmental charities.
Key features:
- Rewards: 3X Membership Rewards points on travel, transit, and dining worldwide; 1X on other purchases. This makes it great for eco-conscious travelers and foodies looking to earn flexible points. (Points can be transferred to airlines/hotels or used for various rewards).
- Annual Fee: $150. It’s a premium card, but Amex often includes credits (like CLEAR® or LoungeBuddy credits) that help offset the fee.
- Eco angle: Material sustainability (recycled plastic card), plus the company’s push for using points charitably. While the Green Card doesn’t automatically donate your spending to causes, you can easily donate your Amex points to organizations like WWF, Conservation International, or Earthjustice via their portal. It shows a major issuer weaving sustainability into a popular product.
- Who it’s best for: Consumers who want a mix of strong travel rewards and a nod to sustainability. If you’re someone who travels frequently but also cares about ocean plastic pollution, this card is a unique intersection of those interests.
5. FutureCard Visa® Debit – Best for Sustainable Rewards (No Credit Check)
Why it’s green:
We’re including one debit card here because it’s too innovative to ignore. The FutureCard Visa® Debit is a spending card that supercharges your rewards on eco-friendly purchases. It’s technically a debit card (so no credit pull or interest), but it functions similarly to a charge card.
You earn a whopping 5% cash back on a broad list of sustainable spending categories: public transportation fares, electric vehicle charging, bike and scooter rentals or purchases, secondhand clothing and furniture, and even plant-based groceries (meat and dairy alternatives). Everything else earns 1% back. FutureCard’s mission is to financially incentivize low-carbon choices – essentially paying you to develop greener habits.
Key features:
- 5% Back on “Green” Purchases: This is one of the highest reward rates you’ll find on any card, credit or debit. Examples of eligible purchases: your subway or bus pass, train tickets, charges at EV charging stations (like Tesla Superchargers), buying a bicycle or e-scooter, thrift store and consignment shop buys, and plant-based food brands. If you accidentally make a qualifying purchase that isn’t recognized, FutureCard will even review and correct it so you get your 5%.
- 1% Back on everything else: No matter what you buy, you’ll get at least a decent 1% cash back.
- No fees: No annual fee, no interest (since it’s debit), and no foreign transaction fees. You connect it to your bank account and reload as needed, making it fee-friendly.
- Eco mission: The entire purpose of this card is to nudge you towards greener spending. It doesn’t directly donate to charity, but by rewarding your climate-friendly purchases, it helps you reduce your carbon footprint daily. The company behind it, Future, is a fintech focused on climate impact.
- Who it’s best for: Anyone can get this card since there’s no credit score requirement. It’s great for students or those who prefer debit, and it can complement your credit cards. Use it specifically for the categories where it earns 5% (transit, thrift, etc.) and use a traditional credit card for other expenses – a strategy to maximize rewards and do good.
Honorable Mention: Deserve® EDU Mastercard (for students) – This student credit card uses 85% recycled materials for its physical card and partners with Treecard (a wooden debit card that funds tree planting) to promote sustainable banking. It’s a smaller program, but worth noting for eco-minded students who want to start building credit responsibly.
Making the Most of Your Green Card
Whichever eco-friendly card you choose, remember to use it wisely. Pay your bills on time (avoiding interest is financially eco-friendly for your wallet!) and take advantage of any perks. If you’re juggling multiple cards for different rewards, a tool like Kudos can be a game-changer.
Kudos is a free financial companion that tracks all your credit card perks and even tells you which card to use for a given purchase to maximize rewards. (Plus, it’s completely free to use, sign up with code GET20 and get $20 back after your first eligible purchase.) With an app like that, you can ensure you never miss out on rewards that you might later channel into charitable donations or sustainable investments.
By picking an eco-friendly credit card that fits your lifestyle, you’re not only earning rewards for yourself but also taking a step towards sustainable finance. It’s all about making your money work a little harder for the planet while it works for you.
FAQ: Choosing & Using Eco-Friendly Credit Cards
What is the most eco-friendly credit card?
There’s no single “most” eco-friendly card, but some standouts include the Beneficial State Bank Climate Card (which donates all rewards to climate nonprofits) and the Green America Visa (directly funds a green economy nonprofit). If your focus is on your carbon footprint, the FutureCard Visa Debit offers 5% back on low-carbon purchases, effectively paying you to be eco-conscious. And while not a credit card, it’s often cited for impact. Ultimately, the best eco-friendly card for you is one that aligns with the causes you care about and fits your spending habits.
Do any credit cards plant trees for my purchases?
Yes, a few have had such programs. The Aspiration Zero credit card (launched in 2021) was known for planting a tree every time you rounded up $1 on purchases, and even gave extra cash back when you achieved carbon neutrality. However, Aspiration Zero was discontinued in 2023. Another example: Credit One’s Platinum E3 Visa made an annual donation to the Arbor Day Foundation for each account. These specific cards aren’t open to new applicants now, but keep an eye out – banks periodically introduce new green initiatives, like planting trees or funding clean water, as part of card promotions.
Are there credit cards made of recycled materials?
Absolutely. The American Express Green Card is made from 70% reclaimed plastic waste. Many major issuers have started rolling out recycled plastic cards or even ocean plastic cards. For instance, HSBC and Chase have piloted cards made from recycled PVC or ocean-bound plastic. Some niche cards use biodegradable materials or even metal/wood. Using recycled materials helps reduce new plastic production – it’s a growing trend in the card industry as part of sustainability efforts.
How can I check if my bank is environmentally friendly?
Research the bank’s policies and initiatives. Look for an annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or sustainability report on their website. Key things to check: Do they pledge not to invest in fossil fuels or other polluting industries? Are they powered by renewable energy? Are they a Certified B Corporation or member of global initiatives like the Global Alliance for Banking on Values? For example, banks like Amalgamated Bank and Beneficial State Bank highlight their clean-energy investments and fossil-free lending policies. You can also find third-party ratings – Bank.Green and MightyDeposits are websites that evaluate banks on environmental impact. If your bank scores poorly, you might consider switching to one with greener credentials.
Can I still get rewards if I use a debit card like FutureCard?
Yes – FutureCard is a debit card that offers rewards comparable to (or even better than) many credit cards, especially for sustainable purchases. While debit cards traditionally don’t have great rewards, fintech innovations like FutureCard are changing that. You load money onto the card or connect it to your bank account, and then you earn cash back just by spending. There’s no credit line or interest. This is a great option if you’re not ready for a credit card or want to avoid debt, but still want to be rewarded for eco-friendly spending. Just note, using a debit card won’t build your credit score. So, it can be wise to have a credit card as well for credit history – you can use the credit card for some purchases and the debit for others, based on which gives the best reward for that category.
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