Cut or shred the card before throwing it away
Metal credit cards cannot go in a standard shredder — the metal will jam or damage the machine. Instead, cut the card into pieces small enough that the card number and cardholder name are no longer readable on any single piece. Use heavy-duty scissors, tin snips, or a rotary tool with a cutting disc. The goal is to make the card unusable and the information unreadable, not to destroy it completely.
Cut through the chip and magnetic stripe if the card has them. These are the parts that actually store or transmit your information, so destroying them is the security priority. Cut the card into at least three or four pieces, making sure no piece contains both your full name and the complete card number.
If you do not have the right tools, many local recycling centers or metal scrap yards will accept metal cards and destroy them as part of their processing. Call ahead to confirm they take credit cards — some do not because of the plastic components mixed with the metal.
Key Takeaways
- Metal credit cards must be cut or shredded by hand because they will damage a standard paper shredder.
- Cut the card into at least three pieces so that no single piece shows both your name and full card number.
- Destroying the chip and magnetic stripe is the security priority, since those parts hold or transmit your payment information.
- Metal scrap yards or recycling centers may accept metal cards if you do not want to cut them yourself — call first to confirm.
- Do not throw an intact metal card in the trash or recycling bin, even if the account is closed.
Why metal cards need different disposal than plastic ones
Plastic credit cards can go through a standard office shredder, but metal cards cannot. The metal will bend or break the shredder's blades, and the machine may jam or overheat. Even a heavy-duty shredder designed for credit cards may not handle the metal safely, so check the manufacturer's specifications before trying.
Metal cards are also less likely to break apart naturally in a landfill, which means the card could theoretically remain intact for years. Cutting it first ensures the information is destroyed and the card cannot be reassembled or used.
Where to take metal cards if you want professional disposal
Local metal recycling centers sometimes accept metal credit cards as part of their mixed-metal intake. Contact your city or county waste management department to find recycling centers near you, or search online for "metal recycling near me." When you call, tell them you have a metal credit card and ask whether they accept them and whether you need to prepare it in any way.
Some recycling centers ask you to remove the plastic components (the signature strip or hologram) before dropping off the card. Others will process the whole card. A few will not take credit cards at all because of liability concerns or because the mixed materials make them harder to recycle.
If no local recycling center takes credit cards, your next option is a local scrap metal buyer. These businesses purchase scrap metal by weight and will usually accept small items like a single credit card. You may not receive payment for one card — the minimum is often a few pounds of metal — but it is a disposal option if you have several cards to recycle.
Destroying the card at home safely
Wear safety glasses and gloves when cutting a metal card. Metal edges are sharp after cutting, and small pieces can fly off if you use a rotary tool. Work over a trash can or on a surface you can easily clean, since metal shavings will scatter.
If you use a rotary tool or angle grinder, work in a well-ventilated area and do not inhale the dust. Metal dust can irritate your lungs. A simple pair of tin snips or heavy-duty scissors is safer and does not require ventilation.
After cutting, collect all the pieces and throw them in the trash. Do not leave pieces on your work surface or floor where someone could step on them or pick them up.
What to do with the card's account information
Destroying the physical card is only one part of closing out the account. Contact your card issuer separately to formally close the account or report the card as lost or stolen. Do this before or after you destroy the card — the timing does not matter, but the account closure does.
If you are disposing of the card because it is expired or you are switching to a new card from the same issuer, the old account may already be closed. Check your account online or call the customer service number on your current card to confirm the old card's status.
If the card was stolen or compromised, report it to your issuer immediately and monitor your account for unauthorized charges. Destroying the physical card does not reverse any fraud that already occurred, but it does prevent future use of that card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a metal credit card in my curbside recycling bin?
No. Metal credit cards should not go in curbside recycling because they can damage sorting equipment at the facility. Take the card to a metal recycling center instead, or cut it up and throw it in the trash after destroying the readable information.
What if the card is still active and I just want to get rid of it?
Contact your card issuer first and ask them to close the account or deactivate the card. Once the issuer confirms the card is no longer active, you can safely cut it up and dispose of it. Do not destroy an active card without notifying the issuer, because you may need the card number for their records.
Is it safe to throw cut-up metal card pieces in the regular trash?
Yes, once the card is cut into pieces small enough that no single piece shows both your name and full card number, it is safe to throw in the trash. The security risk is gone because the information is no longer readable and the card cannot be reassembled or used.
Can I burn a metal credit card instead of cutting it?
No. Metal does not burn, and heating a metal card can release toxic fumes from the plastic components and coatings. Cutting is the safe method. If you want to destroy the card without cutting it yourself, take it to a metal recycling center.
Do I need to do anything special if the card has a hologram or special coating?
No. Cut through the hologram and coating the same way you cut through the rest of the card. These are just surface features and do not change how you dispose of the card. The important thing is destroying the chip, magnetic stripe, and the readable account information.