How to dispose of metal credit cards?

It’s time to get rid of your metal credit card. Here’s how to do it safely while protecting your personal information (and money) from being stolen. 

Cut or shred: Use scissors or a shredder to cut the metal credit card into small pieces. Cut through the chip and magnetic stripe to make sure the card is unusable after you’re done.

Destroy the chip: If your metal credit card has an embedded chip, use a hammer or other sturdy object to smash the chip. This sounds a bit extreme, but it’s to make sure nobody can read or use it for anything sneaky.

Dispose of securely: When you’re done shredding that metal credit card, make sure to toss the pieces in a secure way to keep your identity safe (and to avoid hurting the sanitation worker who picks up your trash bags). Stick them in a sealed envelope or bag before you trash them.

If you want to recycle the metal, you can check with your local recycling center to see if they accept metal credit cards. Some credit card companies have mail-back programs for metal cards, where you can return them for proper disposal or recycling.

As you go through all this you may be wondering, “Why do companies even make metal cards?” Well, as opposed to their plastic counterparts, metal cards are more durable, can offer added security features, and are often associated with luxury and exclusivity.