Heritage celebrates release of eco-friendly cards with revegetation project in regional Queensland

27 January 2023

Heritage Bank has celebrated the release of its new eco-friendly card range with a revegetation project that will see thousands of native trees planted in regional Queensland.

Heritage is partnering with Landcare Millmerran to plant 2000 native trees on a block of land at Turallin, just outside Millmerran.

The trees will be planted across poultry farming properties operated by local agribusiness DA Hall & Co. The family-owned and operated business currently supplies eggs all over Australia and has a strong focus on sustainable practices.

Over the coming weeks Landcare Millmerran representatives and community volunteers will continue to plant a mix of native trees that promote biodiversity and support the regeneration of vegetation in regional Queensland.

The initiative celebrates Heritage’s launch late last year of a new range of plant-based bank cards, which are replacing the current plastic cards.

Heritage Bank CEO Peter Lock said, “As a customer-owned bank, our focus has always been, and will always be, on putting people first. We are passionate about making a positive contribution to the community, and the planet.

“After achieving Carbon Neutral status under the Climate Active program, we’re continuing to look for opportunities to reduce our emissions across our locations.

“Heritage’s eco-friendly card range is made of 90% plant-based material, and unlike conventional plastic cards, safely break down in landfill without releasing any toxins into the environment. And we recognise that tree planting is one of the simplest and most effective ways of reducing carbon emissions to tackle climate change caused by greenhouse gases.

“That’s why we’re delighted to celebrate the release of our new Eco Cards by partnering with Landcare Millmerran and the local community to deliver native bush regeneration.”

Millmerran Landcare coordinator Rebecca Kirby said, “Our Landcare group works mainly with rural landholders as well as community members to provide support with a number of environment and sustainability initiatives including weed and pest control, vegetation and biodiversity improvement.

“As funding is sporadic, we are thrilled to have the support of Heritage Bank to deliver great environmental benefits to our local community.

“The trees provided by Heritage Bank will eventually provide invaluable shade, shelter and habitat for poultry at the farm, and also create a corridor for native wildlife.”

Katherine Birch from DA Hall & Co said, “It’s so important for people to get behind sustainability practices, to make the world better place now and for future generations”.

“It’s fantastic to see a carbon-neutral organisation like Heritage Bank partner with Landcare Millmerran to actively encourage sustainable activities to create positive change.”

In keeping with its environmentally conscious approach and reducing waste, Eco Cards will be introduced gradually across Heritage’s product range over the coming year.

Currently, the new Eco Cards will only be issued to members when their current Heritage Visa Debit Easy Access card expires, or for new Heritage Bank Easy Access accounts. Eco Cards for Heritage Visa Credit Cards will begin rolling out in March.

More information about Heritage Bank’s Eco Cards and approach to sustainability is available at heritage.com.au/about/sustainability.

PIC CAPTION: Heritage Bank’s Chief Operating Officer Dan Dredge joined DA Hall & Co representative Katherine Birch and Millmerran Landcare coordinator Rebecca Kirby to plant the first of 2000 trees in a revegetation project to celebrate the new eco-friendly card range.