In addition to cash and our ATM cards, most of us carry a stack of plastic cards—for the drugstore, the gas station, coffee to go, or the gym. Via the ecological footprint Hardly anyone gives these little plastic parts a second thought when paying.
We took this as an opportunity to take a critical look at the deck of cards—and to show that there has long been an easier, smarter, and above all a more sustainable alternative there is: the digital loyalty card.
Plastic Waste in Europe: Numbers That Make You Sit Up and Take Notice
We are still producing far too much plastic waste. According to estimates, more than 100 million metric tons of plastic waste are already floating in our oceans, and another eight million metric tons are added each year. If this trend continues, calculations by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation indicate that by By 2050, There Will Be More Plastic Than Fish in the Ocean (Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation).
At the European level, too, the amount of packaging waste is enormous: In 2023, the EU generated an average of about 178 kilograms of packaging waste per capita. Germany was well above that average at around 215 kilograms, while Austria recorded the highest figure in the entire EU at 782 kilograms of municipal solid waste per capita (Source: Federal Statistical Office, EU Waste Statistics 2025).
At least there is some good news coming out of Germany. According to the joint annual press conference held by the Federal Environment Agency and the Central Packaging Register (ZSVR), the recycling rate for plastic packaging there rose from 42 percent in 2018 to 70 percent in 2024—and is thus well above the EU minimum target of 63 percent (Source: Federal Environment Agency & ZSVR).
In the rest of the There is still significant room for growth in the DACH region. In Austria, only a quarter of plastic packaging was actually recycled in 2024—the EU Packaging Regulation requires at least 50 percent starting in 2025 (Source: ARA Annual Report 2024, Altstoff Recycling Austria). In Switzerland, only about 9 percent of the approximately 790,000 metric tons of plastic waste generated annually is recycled; the majority ends up in incinerators—a notable exception is PET beverage bottles, which have a recycling rate of over 80 percent (Source: Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)).
Credit cards, gas cards, loyalty cards—do we really need so many cards?
Our wallets are getting thicker and thicker: prepaid cards, loyalty cards, gas cards, and collectible passes for the soccer stadium. Add to that a driver’s license, ID card, e-card, and so on. The result: There's quite a lot of plastic in our wallets. Is that really necessary?
R.I.P. Plastic Card: The Flood of Loyalty Cards in the DACH Region
A study by the Austrian Gallup Institute shows that 83 percent of Austrians have at least one loyalty card, and the majority (45 percent) have two to five (Source: Gallup Austria). Wallets stuffed with plastic cards are not a phenomenon unique to Austria, but one found throughout Europe.
The demand for a digital alternative is correspondingly high—across the entire DACH region: According to the latest hello again Loyalty Reports 2026, 72.7 percent of people in Germany, 73.7 percent in Austria and as much as 76.1 percent in the Switzerland switch to a digital solution right away if their favorite store offered one.
At the EU level as well, plastic remains a major contributor to packaging waste: About one-fifth (19.8 percent) of all packaging waste in the EU consists of plastic, with a current recycling rate of 42.1 percent (Source: Eurostat). The goal, therefore, is to curb plastic consumption across Europe and to rely on alternatives right from the production stage.
Digital Loyalty Cards Instead of Plastic: Switching Is This Easy
Does your company still rely on traditional plastic loyalty cards? Then it's time to go digital. With the digital loyalty club from hello again Have your customers digital loyalty card Always within reach—right on your smartphone, featuring your company’s custom design, and completely free of extra plastic.
Especially popular with customers: the Digital Stamp Book, which replaces traditional paper or plastic collectible cards. Find out just how beneficial the switch to digital customer loyalty can be for your business in just a few clicks with the free Loyalty Calculator out.
Conclusion: It's Time for the Digital Transition
So there’s still an enormous amount of plastic in our everyday lives. The plastic card in your wallet is just one small but striking example. Companies that switch to digital loyalty cards now not only reduce plastic use but also gain tangible benefits: higher sales, loyal customers, and a loyalty program that really ends up in your wallet—or on your smartphone. In short: It’s worth joining forces to fight plastic waste.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Plastic Cards & Recycling
On average, how many loyalty cards do people in the DACH region have?
According to Gallup Austria, 83 percent of people in Austria have at least one loyalty card, and 45 percent have two to five. Similar patterns are evident in Germany and Switzerland.
Is a digital loyalty card really more sustainable than a plastic card?
Yes. A digital loyalty card reduces plastic waste, conserves production resources, and cuts down on transportation, since it is used directly on a smartphone and eliminates the need to produce a physical card.
What is the recycling rate for plastic packaging in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland?
In 2024, Germany achieved a recycling rate of 70 percent, Austria around 25 percent, and Switzerland about 9 percent of total plastic waste (excluding PET bottles, for which the recycling rate is over 80 percent).
How do I switch to a digital loyalty card?
With hello again’s digital loyalty club, businesses can offer their customers a personalized digital loyalty card right on their smartphones—without any extra plastic. Schedule a no-obligation appointment now.
