U.S. Bank Voyager Tests Biodegradable Plastic Cards

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. Bank is offering a biodegradable PVC (bioPVC) card to Voyager commercial fleet card customers. The first cards have begun rolling out this month.

“The finished card performs equal to cards manufactured on regular PVC as no biodegradation takes place unless the product is in a fertile environment such as compost.”

“Our clients are increasingly concerned about selecting products and services that have less impact on the environment. We expect these cards to be extremely popular,” said Michael Oleniczek, senior vice president of U.S. Bank Voyager.

The biodegradable card was brought to the card plastic marketplace by CPI Card Group. Bob Clarke, CPI’s Vice President of Sales, explained, “CPI continues to look at all new green material in the market. We were the first to use bioPVC for plastic cards, which has been in development for several years.”

The 99 percent PVC product biodegrades in nine months to five years in soil, water, compost, or wherever microorganisms are present. The product performs within all standard card parameters and has a standard shelf life. CPI has produced millions of bioPVC cards.

“The finished card performs equal to cards manufactured on regular PVC as no biodegradation takes place unless the product is in a fertile environment such as compost.” Clarke added.

Biodegradable plastic is just one way U.S. Bank works to provide its clients with green options. As another example of the company’s commitment to environmentally sound business practices, U.S. Bank participates in the PayItGreen^TM campaign, which educates consumers and businesses about the environmental benefits of choosing electronic billing, statements, and payments. Learn more at www.payitgreen.org.

U.S. Bank Voyager Fleet Systems Inc. is a leading provider of the universal fleet fueling and maintenance card for over 1.6 million vehicles. Specifically designed to serve the needs of any size fleet, Voyager issues the Voyager Fleet Card, accepted at over 230,000 retail locations in all 50 states and provides comprehensive fleet management information services to commercial businesses and government agencies. Visit Voyager online at www.usbank.com/voyagerfleet .

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB), with $247 billion in assets, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the 6th largest commercial bank in the United States as of June 30, 2008. The company operates 2,556 banking offices and 4,903 ATMs, and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at www.usbank.com.