In this thread, I wanted to concentrate on environmentally friendly packaging of cards.
Let’s start by going of topic (bravo me) to highlight one huge positive aspect of mobile banks in general. There do not generate (at least at the user end) paper waste, no paper contracts, no paper statements send by post etc.
Going back to the topic:
I sadly do not have a picture of card shipment. I must say that I was very happy that it came in the simplest of packing - an A4 paper in an envelope. Maybe it could even be an A5 paper?
I do not understand companies that try to have a ‘tada’ moment when we open the new card. Does that really work? Please let me know.
The issue I have is that Starling and even more Curve (I’m sure there are many other examples) have fancy packaging which has a higher environmental footprint. They use glossy, thick paper with glue and lots of ink (curve). I even remember seeing one package that had plastic elements (can’t remember). Why not keep it simple, keep it clean? Starling: Curve:
What do you think? Do you like fancy packaging? Do you think the impact is too small to bother? I am interested to hear your opinions on that Do send more examples
We’re definitely trying to keep it minimal. We try and consider everything at scale, and what impact it has when we are sending out millions upon millions of cards in a year - which at our current growth rate, really isn’t far off at all.
Overly fancy packaging is great for what, 10 seconds? Less than that? Before it goes in the bin and you never look at it again.
That said, there’s ways we can do more cool stuff with the packaging without affecting the environmental footprint, and it’s something we’re always evaluating. Happy to hear any ideas that folks have, too!
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Anarchist
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I guess if mobile payments ever overtake card payments, there’ll be an opportunity to only send physical cards to those who request them?
When I got my Curve card I really thought it was sent over the top as shown in the pictures below. I guess they don’t do this now? You could say they are getting better.
It’s a good way to encourage people to put on social media their new product/service, spreads word when nearly all these businesses have minimal marketing spend and gives the receipient a little ‘wow’ moment to live the brand.
I got that same slide out one, it was fun for a moment, the only issue I had was the fancy plastic part that made the strange optical illusion, that was unnecessary.
Main banks don’t do this because they don’t need to. I posted Starling’s wrapping on social media because I liked it - advertising for them. The additional cost was probably worth it for them.
Absolutely needs to a balance. Simple to produce, keep production effort and material useage down. That Curve packaging definitely excessive, but l didn’t get that so it mustn’t have been a lasting thing.
Totally accept and agree with the environmental considerations. But if normal operation my Bank never sends me paper, a nice card packet to make me feel welcome and promote excitement I have no issue with.
For any physical product and service - the packaging is the first interaction it’s users have with the product. And while it’s less likely to be the ‘driver’ of purchase behaviour for a bank, it does drive consumer engagement and ultimately is a reflection of the brand, it’s values, and the service they offer.
If my Monzo card had arrived as just a stuck down card on a indistinguishable-from-every-other-bank A4 paper, that would have been gutting.
“Premium” food brands have to do this and make a huge number of style vs value decisions; think of beer packaging. Minimum you really need is a aluminium can with something to identify it written on the front.
Yet you get cans with matte textures, brands who invest in incredible artwork on their packaging, coloured “can ends”, coloured ring pulls, cans with paper labels on them, cans with paper labels and a matte finish…
It’s important to get the right balance of premium vs wasteful…
Yes, my replacement card came ‘slotted in’ a simple A4 card. Obviously, it can be a different size such as the previous A5 cardstock. But why use way more ink than necessary and have black paper or/and envelope? With a good design even a simple piece of paper can be beautiful.
But let’s remember that is not a physical product. Sure you will have a card but the card is not your first interaction with .
card shipment. I must say that I was very happy that it came in the simplest of packing - an A4 paper in an envelope. Maybe it could even be an A5 paper?
Do you like fancy packaging? Do you think the impact is too small to bother? I am interested to hear your opinions on that 
Do send more examples 
I am happy they changed that (or maybe it is only from premium?)
replacement card came ‘slotted in’ a simple A4 card. Obviously, it can be a different size such as the previous A5 cardstock. But why use way more ink than necessary and have black paper or/and envelope? With a good design even a simple piece of paper can be beautiful.