Corn means money to Iowa farmers, and it now is a means to get your money at a Waterloo-based credit union. The Veridian Credit Union is now giving members cards made out of a biodegradable corn-based plastic to use to deposit and withdrawl money from their accounts.
Veridian public relations manager Eric Kinman says they chose the cards as an environmentally friendly alternative. Kinman says the cost of the corn-based cards are similar to the old plastic cards, and he says the credit union is always looking to give back to the community they serve. Kinman says customers like the idea of using something that will help farmers and is environmentally friendly.
The corn-based card will break down into environmentally friendly compounds once they’re thrown away. Kinman says customers don’t have to worry about the cards breaking down early. He says the cards won’t break down in normal use, and are designed to decompose in natural compounds like water and carbon dioxide. "There’s really no concern about them breaking down in the back of our pocket," according to Kinman.
Kinman says they’ll give out some 10 to 20,000 corn-based cards each month to new customers, and those needing a replacements at their 20 branch offices.