Cycling UK plastic membership cards - why?!

[LucyEliz]

I've just sent the message below to membership@cyclinguk:

"In June I received a letter from you advising that my Cycling UK membership was due for renewal. I am happy to renew.

I am writing to complain about the inclusion of a plastic membership card with this letter. This creates unnecessary plastic waste. I already have a plastic card from when I joined last year, and have never had to use it. I can't think of a situation where I would need it.

I don't understand what the reason is for creating these cards, which will long outlive any of your members. If you feel it's essential to send membership cards out - even before a member has renewed! - perhaps you could send them a cardboard card?"

Will be interested to see what the response is.

[Jdsk]

Thanks for this.

I don't want or need the plastic card. Or a cardboard card.

Similar associations to which I belong have migrated to computer images. These can be stored as images (including in smart 'phone wallets) and also printed locally by those who want to print them.

One organisation kept the offer of a centrally printed card for those who requested it, but I don't think that's necessary.

Jonathan

[LucyEliz]

Agree. It's just not necessary.

When I first joined last summer they also sent me a 'free gift' of a branded snood made of polyester. I wrote to them requesting that they sent me a stamped addressed envelope so I could return it to them - which they eventually did.

I find it surprising and disappointing that they think it's fine to send out unsolicited plastic items to their members.

[Tangled Metal]

Back in the day to get discounts in outdoors shops I had to show actual membership cards. I wonder if that is the case still in some stores? If a phone image is enough and recognised then no plastic cards for me.

[Jdsk]

Back in the day to get discounts in outdoors shops I had to show actual membership cards. I wonder if that is the case still in some stores? If a phone image is enough and recognised then no plastic cards for me.

Halfords have accepted the image on a 'phone for some time. It includes a QR code.

Jonathan

[Tangled Metal]

The go outdoors card has not been needed ever, just a postcode and name will do it. If ours has run out we have been known to use my partner's brother's details.

The last few places I have been buying from knew me as a regular and automatically gave me 15% off without asking or showing a card. When a new person joined I went to pay and an older colleague told him to knock it off as he was ringing it through. It was then that I realised I needed to cut back on my kit purchases a bit.

[Paulatic]

Don’t forget it’s "recycled plastic"

[=Jdsk post_id=1833490 time=1709829181 user_id=46950]
Just received the reply from Cycling UK, membership@cyclinguk.org.

Jonathan

I have taken a look at the forum and certainly some good points made. Firstly, from an environmental view, all cards are made with 100% recycled plastic and we intend to keep it this way.

As part of our new strategy, launching in April this year, we will be reviewing all aspects of our fulfilment offering such as welcome packs, renewal letters and membership cards. At this early stage it would be difficult to comment on the consensus amongst members of the need for a membership card. We do however, plan on doing more member research on all aspects of our offering. As part of my role, understanding the need for membership cards would be a answer I am looking for.

While I am relatively new to Cycling UK, my understanding of the membership card is that people like the fact that the incident line is on the card so they can instantly contact our providers, Fletchers. Members seem to also like that our contact details for the membership team here at head office are on it too. We also find that some retailers and member groups like to see physical proof that riders have a valid membership.

I hope that gives you a brief idea of what we plan to do when it comes to the membership card going forward. If there is anything more I can help with, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

[/quote]

[LucyEliz]

That’s a helpful reply.
Still doesn’t need to be a plastic card though.

[soapbox]

I want a card. I don't care what it's made from but I want a card. I struggle with technology and don't have a mobile phone. I don't trust myself with my computer, nor my computer to store anything important on it. I'm actually fearful of losing all contact with a tangible world and depending on digital technology to verify my very existence.

[TrevA]

It says on the back of my CUK Membership Card that it is fully biodegradable, whatever that means.

[mattheus]

... it is fully biodegradable, whatever that means.

You could probably take a good guess, no?

And maybe use "google" to corroborate?

[TrevA]

... it is fully biodegradable, whatever that means.

You could probably take a good guess, no?

And maybe use "google" to corroborate?

According to Google - Biodegradable refers to the ability of materials to break down and return to nature. In order for packaging products or materials to qualify as biodegradable, they must completely break down and decompose into natural elements within a short time after disposal – typically a year or less.

I doubt my plastic card will completely break down in less than a year, so it’s a dubious claim.

[Blondie]

First you should reduce, before you recycle. Agree, these cards are unnecessary and causing plastic waste to enter the environment.

[mattheus]

... it is fully biodegradable, whatever that means.

You could probably take a good guess, no?

And maybe use "google" to corroborate?

According to Google - Biodegradable refers to the ability of materials to break down and return to nature. In order for packaging products or materials to qualify as biodegradable, they must completely break down and decompose into natural elements within a short time after disposal – typically a year or less.

I doubt my plastic card will completely break down in less than a year, so it’s a dubious claim.

OK, good, so you've learned something, and we've moved the discussion forward (a smidge). Hoorah!

It's such a shame that we don't know whether it's even POSSIBLE to make plastic that breaks down within a year.
I guess some things are just not meant to be known ...

[Jdsk]

...It's such a shame that we don't know whether it's even POSSIBLE to make plastic that breaks down within a year.
...

"Biodegradable plastic":
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biodegradable_plastic

Jonathan