Recycle Gift Cards, Hotel Key Cards & Other Plastic Cards

Wondering what to do with an empty gift card or old hotel key card? Plastic cards do not belong in curbside recycling, but The ReCollective gives them another option through local ReCo Pick collections and Almost Anything Mailback Bags.

Plastic hotel key card for recycling

What to Do With Old Plastic Cards

The ReCollective accepts used gift cards, hotel key cards, membership cards, library cards, and other accepted wallet-sized plastic cards for local reuse and specialty recycling.

Cards may be reused for community or creative projects, or repurposed through our recycling partner ByFusion into durable building material.

Plastic Cards We Accept

We accept wallet-sized cards made primarily from plastic. A small magnetic stripe, barcode, QR code, printed graphic, or signature strip is okay.

Plastic hotel key card for recycling

Hotel Key Cards

Primarily plastic hotel key cards without embedded electronics.

Plastic gift card for recycling

Gift Cards

Empty or spent plastic gift cards, excluding financial cards.

Plastic membership card for recycling

Membership Cards

Loyalty, rewards, membership, discount, and promotional cards.

Plastic library card for recycling

Library or Other Non-Financial Cards

Expired or no-longer-needed plastic cards without sensitive financial or identity information.

Simple rule: If it is a wallet-sized card made primarily of plastic, we can take it. Small magnetic stripes, barcodes, and QR codes are okay.

Accepted

  • Empty or spent gift cards
  • Hotel key cards
  • Loyalty and rewards cards
  • Membership cards
  • Library cards
  • Plastic discount or promotional cards
  • Plastic ID or badge cards without sensitive information
  • Plastic business cards
  • Similar wallet-sized cards made primarily from plastic

Do Not Include

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • Banking or other financial/payment cards
  • Cards with visible electronic chips
  • RFID, NFC, or tap-to-use cards
  • Metal cards
  • Paper or cardboard cards
  • Wooden cards
  • SIM cards
  • Gift card packaging, paper carriers, or sleeves

Use Your Own Grocery-Sized Bag

For local ReCo Pick collection, place accepted plastic cards in your own grocery-sized bag or smaller and keep that bag separate from the ReCo Pick bag. Do not place plastic cards loose in the ReCo Pick bag.

How to Recycle Plastic Cards

ReCo Pick

Plastic cards may periodically be featured as a ReCo Pick or bonus material. Local members should save accepted cards until the applicable collection period, then follow the bagging instructions on this page.

View ReCo Pick materials

Almost Anything Mailback Bags

Plastic cards are also accepted through The ReCollective’s Almost Anything Mailback Bags, making plastic card recycling available beyond local pickup areas.

Recycle plastic cards by mail

The ReCollective warehouse in Durham

What Happens to the Plastic Cards?

The goal is to find a useful next life for plastic cards that otherwise have few convenient recycling options.

1

Reuse first: When appropriate, some cards are reused locally for community, educational, art, or creative projects.

2

Repurpose the rest: Cards that are not suitable for reuse may be sent to ByFusion.

3

Build a next use: ByFusion repurposes hard-to-recycle plastic into durable building material such as ByBlock.

Important: Not every card follows the same pathway. The ReCollective uses reuse, recycling, and repurposing options based on the material and available outlets.

Why They Usually Don't Go Curbside

They are smallWallet-sized cards can be difficult for traditional recycling systems to sort effectively.
They vary in materialPlastic cards may be made from PVC or other plastics and can include small non-plastic components.
Specialty recycling is differentThe ReCollective focuses on reuse and specialty recycling pathways rather than asking members to identify a resin number.

Plastic Card Recycling FAQs

Can gift cards be recycled?
Many plastic gift cards can be reused, recycled, or repurposed through specialty programs. They generally should not be placed in curbside recycling. The ReCollective accepts eligible plastic gift cards through ReCo Pick collections and Almost Anything Mailback Bags.
Can I put gift cards in my curbside recycling bin?
Generally no. Plastic gift cards are small and may be made from materials that are not handled well by traditional curbside recycling systems.
Does The ReCollective recycle gift cards?
Yes. Empty or spent plastic gift cards are accepted when plastic cards are featured as a ReCo Pick and through Almost Anything Mailback Bags.
Can hotel key cards be recycled?
Yes. Primarily plastic hotel key cards without embedded electronic chips or tap-to-use technology are accepted.
Are hotel key cards with magnetic strips accepted?
Yes. A small magnetic stripe is okay.
What types of plastic cards does The ReCollective accept?
Gift cards, hotel key cards, loyalty and rewards cards, membership cards, library cards, promotional cards, plastic business cards, and similar wallet-sized cards made primarily from plastic.
Do you accept credit or debit cards?
No. Credit cards, debit cards, banking cards, and other financial or payment cards are not accepted.
What happens to the cards after I recycle them?
Some cards may be reused locally for community, educational, art, or creative projects. Others may be sent to ByFusion for repurposing into durable building material.
What are plastic gift cards made from?
Traditional plastic cards may be made from PVC or other plastics. The ReCollective bases acceptance on the card being primarily plastic rather than requiring members to identify a resin number.

Pickup & Mailback

Standard monthly membersSave accepted plastic cards until they are featured as a ReCo Pick or bonus material.
Almost Anything Plan membersYou may add approved plastic cards directly to your ReCo Pick bag during any monthly pickup.
Featured ReCo Pick collectionStandard monthly members should place plastic cards in their own grocery-sized bag or smaller and keep that bag separate from the ReCo Pick bag.
Mailback is availablePlastic cards are accepted through The ReCollective’s Almost Anything Mailback Bags.
No financial cardsCredit, debit, banking, and other financial or payment cards are not accepted.

Other Hard-to-Recycle Material Guides

Metal bottle cap recycling guide Material guideMetal Bottle Caps Wine cork recycling guide Material guideWine Corks Used toy recycling and reuse guide Material guideUsed Toys The ReCollective materials guide All materialsSee Everything We Recycle

City Recycling Pages & Mailback

City pageDurhamView local information City pageRaleighView local information City pageCaryView local information City pageChapel Hill & CarrboroView local information MailbackAlmost Anything Mailback BagsRecycle plastic cards by mail