Digital customer loyalty programs have long been a part of everyday life, and for good reason. They’re convenient for your customers and significantly more sustainable than traditional plastic cards. When used correctly, they also lay the foundation for a strong, long-term customer relationship.
In this article, we'll show you the benefits of digital loyalty programs for sustainability—and how you can easily switch from paper bills and plastic cards to a digital rewards system.
Sustainability 2026: From Trend to Requirement
Sustainability will become mandatory for many companies in 2026. With the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR), new rules for packaging will take effect throughout the EU on August 12, 2026—and this includes physical loyalty cards.
Companies will then need, for example, a declaration of conformity for each type of packaging and must comply with stricter requirements regarding materials and recyclability. Additional requirements regarding recycled content and mandatory recycling rates will be phased in gradually through 2030.
For your loyalty program, this means that every plastic card and every receipt you replace with a digital version is a step that helps you meet these new requirements more easily—without any extra effort.
The four Pillars of Sustainability
Sustainability has become a truly central issue in recent years. At its core, it’s about, to meet today's needs without compromising the foundation for future generations.
For this to succeed, there are four key elements: Environmental Protection, economic development, social justice and cultural diversity.
Digitalization plays a role in each of these pillars. It helps ensure that resources are used sparingly and efficiently at the same time.
This opens up new opportunities, especially in marketing—from smarter customer loyalty initiatives up to the Digital loyalty card via app right on your regular customers' smartphones.
Plastic Cards and Paper Bills: So yesterday!
More and more companies are turning to digital customer loyalty programs instead of traditional plastic or paper cards. One reason: They make a noticeable difference in protecting the environment.
A Loyalty app makes physical loyalty cards obsolete and thus reduces plastic waste. Paper consumption for long receipts also decreases significantly.
Paper and Plastic Waste: Problems of global scale
Paper waste remains a growing global problem. An estimated 300 million metric tons of paper and cardboard are produced worldwide each year. Only about half of that is recycled—the rest ends up in landfills or is incinerated.
The problem of plastic waste is even more dramatic: An estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the world’s oceans every year. The consequences range from dead marine animals to microplastics in our drinking water.
There are also some legal developments underway: France has already made automatically printed receipts at the register the exception—a trend that other European countries are likely to follow.
A A loyalty app is an effective way, to move away from plastic cards and paper receipts. Customers earn points with every purchase—without needing a card or receipt in their pocket.
Digital Loyalty Cards in Practice: Wallets, apps, and more.
How does the loyalty card actually get onto your phone? In practice, there are usually two ways: through a dedicated app or by adding it to a digital wallet, such as Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.
Both options are completely plastic-free. Customers simply scan a QR code once, and the card is saved—points, rewards, and promotions update automatically in the background.
For your company, this means: no card printing, no shipping, no restocking. Just a digital process that can be customized as often as needed.
Customer Loyalty in the 21st Century: Discover the Loyalty Solution Now
The right information at the right time in the right place—that’s the art of customer communication. Digital tools make it possible: perfectly timed push notifications sent directly to your customers’ smartphones.
This is how you strengthen the relationship with the brand, build trust, and specifically increase the customer retention rate.
The more often satisfied customers return, the more they buy over time. You reward them for their loyalty with points that can be redeemed for rewards.
Curiosity piqued?
Want to learn more about how you can use a loyalty app to boost your revenue? We’ll explain it in our video—short and sweet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much plastic and paper waste does a digital loyalty program actually save?
Every digital loyalty card replaces a physical plastic card and, in many cases, printed receipts as well. Worldwide, only about half of the paper produced is recycled, while approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the world’s oceans each year. Digital loyalty programs address this very issue and reduce this waste one card at a time.
Does a digital loyalty app make sense for small businesses, too?
Yes. Modern SaaS solutions make the transition straightforward and affordable, even for smaller businesses. Today, it’s often more cost-effective to retain existing customers digitally than to run expensive advertising campaigns to attract new ones.
Does an app really reduce paper usage at the register?
Yes. Without a physical stamp card and without separate receipts for awarding points, a large portion of the paper previously used at the register is eliminated because points and rewards are credited digitally.
What role does the EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) play in loyalty programs?
Starting August 12, 2026, the PPWR will introduce new EU-wide packaging requirements, such as declarations of conformity and stricter recycling standards. Businesses that are already using digital loyalty cards instead of plastic ones reduce their packaging needs from the outset and will find it easier to comply with the new regulations.
How are sustainability and customer loyalty related?
The two reinforce each other: A sustainable, digital loyalty app reduces waste, while push notifications, rewards, and personalized communication can specifically strengthen customer loyalty. Sustainability thus becomes part of a better brand experience rather than merely an additional measure.
How easy is it to switch from a plastic card to an app?
It’s usually straightforward: Customers download the app or save a wallet pass; existing point balances can typically be transferred; and once the system is up and running, the only thing that’s no longer needed is restocking plastic cards. A free trial app design shows you in advance what this could look like for your business.
