Cut or shred the card before throwing it away
A metal credit card contains your full account number, expiration date, and sometimes your name embossed or printed on the surface. Throwing it in the trash whole gives someone the information they need to attempt fraud. The safest disposal method is to make the card unreadable before it leaves your hands.
Use heavy-duty scissors or tin snips to cut the card into pieces, making sure to cut through the embossed or printed numbers at least once. Cut horizontally across the card to separate the numbers from each other. If you have access to a shredder rated for credit cards or metal, that works too — some office shredders handle plastic and metal, but check your shredder's manual first, as metal can damage standard paper shredders.
Cutting takes about two minutes per card and costs nothing. Shredding is faster if you have multiple cards to dispose of at once.
Key Takeaways
- Cut or shred the metal card into pieces before disposal so the account number and cardholder name are no longer readable as a complete set of digits.
- Separate the pieces into different trash bags or containers if you want to add an extra layer of security, though cutting alone is usually sufficient.
- Do not attempt to burn a metal credit card, as the plastic coating can release fumes and the metal will not burn.
- Contact your card issuer before destroying the card if you are unsure whether the account is fully closed or if you still owe a balance.
Why metal cards need different handling than plastic ones
Metal credit cards are heavier and more durable than standard plastic cards, which is why they do not shred as easily in a typical office shredder. The metal core — usually stainless steel or aluminum — will jam or damage a machine designed only for paper and thin plastic.
The embossed or printed numbers on a metal card are also more visible and permanent than on plastic, making the card a higher security risk if it remains intact in a landfill or recycling bin. A piece of metal with your full account number still readable is more useful to someone looking for fraud opportunities than a shredded plastic card.
What to do with the pieces after cutting
Once you have cut the card into at least three or four pieces, you can throw them in the regular trash. The pieces are no longer a coherent card and cannot be reassembled into a usable form.
If you want additional security, place the pieces in separate trash bags or mix them with other household waste so they are not all together in one place. This is optional — cutting the card is the main step that prevents fraud.
Do not put the pieces in your recycling bin. Metal credit cards are not accepted in standard curbside recycling programs, and the pieces could damage sorting equipment at the recycling facility.
Confirming the account is closed before you destroy the card
Before you cut up the card, make sure you no longer need it and that the account is not still active. If you are closing a credit card account, the issuer will usually send you a new card or a notice that the account is closed. Wait for that confirmation before destroying the physical card.
If you are disposing of an old card because you received a replacement metal card from the same issuer, you can safely destroy the old one immediately — the new card will work for all transactions. If you are unsure whether the account is still open, log into your online account or call the customer service number on the back of the card to confirm the status.
Destroying a card while the account is still active will not close the account, but it does mean you will not have the physical card if you need it for in-person transactions before the account closes.
Why you should not burn or dissolve a metal credit card
Metal credit cards have a plastic coating or laminate layer that holds the embossed numbers and any design elements. If you burn the card, this plastic coating will release fumes, and the metal underneath will not burn — you will be left with a partially destroyed card that still contains readable information.
Do not attempt to dissolve the card in acid or other chemicals. This is dangerous, ineffective, and unnecessary. Cutting is faster, safer, and completely destroys the card's usefulness.
Cutting is also the only method that leaves no trace of the card in your home or in the environment. Burning leaves ash and fumes; dissolving creates hazardous waste. Cutting produces small metal and plastic pieces that are inert and harmless once separated.
Recycling options if you want to recycle the metal
Standard curbside recycling programs do not accept credit cards, whether plastic or metal. However, some scrap metal recyclers will accept small pieces of metal if you bring them in person.
Before you take cut-up card pieces to a scrap metal facility, call ahead and ask whether they accept small pieces of laminated metal or metal with plastic coating. Many facilities focus on larger items like appliances or automotive parts and will not process credit card scraps.
For most people, throwing the cut pieces in the trash is simpler and more practical than finding a recycler. The environmental impact of a single metal credit card is minimal, and the security benefit of destroying it quickly outweighs the benefit of recycling the small amount of metal.
What to do if you cannot cut the card yourself
If you have limited hand strength or mobility and cannot cut the card yourself, ask a family member or friend to do it for you. Cutting a credit card takes less than five minutes and requires no special skill.
If you do not have anyone who can help, some banks and credit unions will destroy cards for you if you bring them in person to a branch. Call your card issuer's customer service number and ask whether this service is available. Not all issuers offer this, but it is worth asking before you assume you have no other option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recycle a metal credit card in my curbside bin?
No. Standard curbside recycling programs do not accept credit cards of any kind, including metal ones. The card will contaminate the recycling stream and may damage sorting equipment. Cut the card and place the pieces in your regular trash instead.
Will cutting the card damage my scissors?
Cutting a metal credit card will dull regular scissors faster than cutting paper, but it will not break them. If you have heavy-duty scissors, tin snips, or kitchen shears, use those instead of your best sewing scissors. One card will not cause permanent damage, but repeated cutting of metal will wear the blades down over time.
Do I need to contact the card issuer before I destroy the card?
Only if you are unsure whether the account is closed. If you received a replacement card or a notice that the account is closed, you can destroy the old card immediately. If the account is still active, destroying the card will not close it, but you will lose the physical card until a replacement arrives.
What if I lose the card before I can cut it up?
Contact your card issuer immediately and report the card as lost. The issuer will freeze the account and send you a replacement card. A lost card is a higher fraud risk than a card you control, so reporting it quickly is important. You do not need to do anything else — the issuer will handle the lost card on their end.
Is it safe to cut a metal credit card with a regular knife?
A regular kitchen knife will work, but it is slower and harder on the blade than scissors or tin snips. A serrated knife (like a bread knife) will grip the card better than a smooth blade. Scissors or tin snips are faster and easier, but a knife will work if that is what you have available.