amex: back our oceans

Mar 22

American Express implemented parley air with a global campaign to Back Our Oceans, a redesigned Card made primarily from reclaimed plastic, and a call to action to remove up to 1 million lbs of marine plastic pollution

Marine plastic pollution is a complex, fast-growing and global threat. It impacts every known ecosystem, and every human on Earth. To end it, we need to raise awareness, harness creativity and collaboration, and implement solutions at a rate that can outpace the destruction. Our alliance with American Express delivers this message to, and through, the company’s employees, Card Members and business partners.

Since partnering with Parley in June 2018, American Express has taken steps to reduce the use of single-use plastics, support beach cleanups and educate employees to be part of the solution.

In 2019, the collaboration announced expanded commitments to the Parley AIR Strategy with a global campaign to #BackOurOceans and the introduction of a new symbol for change:

the launch of the first-ever Card made primarily with reclaimed plastic intercepted by Parley from beaches, shorelines and coastal communities.

"Plastic is a design failure. It stands for the toxic age we created, threatening the future of our oceans and our own species," says Parley founder Cyrill Gutsch. "By making their legendary Green Card with Ocean Plastic®, American Express introduces another Symbol of Change — and with it, a powerful commitment and an invitation for everyone to support our movement."

Guided by the Parley AIR Strategy, American Express evolved its operations with a commitment to limit single-use plastics, intercept plastic waste, educate and empower its network, and redesign existing products. This flagship partnership allowed us to set a new standard for the financial services sector, marking the start of our Ocean Plastic® credit card program.

“Steps like these sound the bells of a new era, a new economy, where harmful substances and exploitative business practices are relics of the past.”

CYRILL GUTSCH — FOUNDER AND CEO, PARLEY FOR THE OCEANS

Initiatives

Redesigned Consumer & Corporate Green Cards Made Primarily with Reclaimed Plastic from Parley
In 2019, American Express introduced redesigned Consumer and Corporate Green Cards made primarily with reclaimed plastic collected from beaches and coastal communities by Parley.
First American Express Card Recycling Program
American Express introduced the company’s first Card recycling program. Rolling out in 2020 for U.S. Consumer, Small Business, and Corporate Cards, the program enabled Card Members to send back their expired or non-working Cards to American Express who will ensure that they are properly recycled.
Avoiding Single-Use Plastics
The company also pledged to eliminate single-use plastics across its operations globally and removed single-use plastic straws and coffee stirrers from its global headquarters, managed-office facilities and operating centers. In addition, American Express has replaced single-use plastics in all U.S. cafeterias with reusable or compostable packaging and utensils, as well as removed all single-use plastic in their Centurion® Lounges. This builds on the work American Express has done to evolve the sustainability of its broader operations. In 2018, American Express became a CarbonNeutral® company, powered by 100% renewable energy.
Global Call to Action to #BackOurOceans
To raise awareness for the issue of marine plastic pollution, American Express and Parley kicked off a global call to action rallying Card Members, merchants, partners, colleagues and beyond behind the cause. From September 16-23, 2019, thousands of individuals commented on @AmericanExpress and @parley.tv Instagram pages explaining why they #BackOurOceans or tagging friends who they wanted to get involved. American Express and Parley committed to remove 2 lbs of plastic from beaches and coasts for every comment received during this time. Thank you to everyone who took action!