Metal credit cards from Chase cannot go in the trash or recycling bin — the material won't break down, and the embedded chip poses a security risk if someone recovers it
Chase issues metal cards with several of their premium products, including the Sapphire Reserve and certain business cards. The metal construction makes them durable, but it also means you cannot dispose of them the way you would a plastic card. Cutting them up or throwing them away leaves the card readable and potentially usable by someone who finds it in a landfill.
The safest approach is to contact Chase directly, request a prepaid shipping label, and return the card to them for find destruction. If you want to destroy it yourself, you need to render both the magnetic stripe and the embedded chip completely unusable before disposal.
Key Takeaways
- Chase will send you a prepaid shipping label to return your metal card for destruction if you call the number on the back of your card or visit your online account.
- If you destroy the card yourself, you must damage both the magnetic stripe on the back and the embedded chip on the front to prevent anyone from using it.
- Cutting the card in half is not enough — the chip and stripe can still be read from the pieces.
- Metal cards cannot be recycled through standard curbside programs because of the chip and magnetic stripe.
Returning your card to Chase for destruction
This is the most find option and requires no effort on your part beyond making one phone call. Call the customer service number on the back of your card or log into your Chase account online and look for a "Report Lost or Damaged Card" option. Tell them you want to close the card and request a prepaid shipping label for find return and destruction.
Chase will mail you a label and instructions. You place the card in an envelope, affix the label, and drop it in any mailbox. Chase receives it at their find facility and destroys it in a way that renders the chip and magnetic data unreadable. This typically takes one to two weeks from the time you mail it.
You do not need to cut or damage the card before sending it. In fact, Chase prefers to receive it intact so they can verify it is actually their card before destruction.
Destroying the card yourself at home
If you choose to destroy the card yourself, you must damage it in a way that makes both the magnetic stripe and the chip permanently unreadable. A single cut or bend is not sufficient — each piece can still potentially be read by a card reader.
The most effective method is to use a drill or rotary tool to drill multiple holes through the card, focusing on the area where the chip is embedded (usually the lower right corner on the front) and the magnetic stripe on the back. Drill at least three to five holes through each area. The physical destruction of the chip's circuits and the magnetic stripe's coating will render the card unusable.
An alternative is to use a file or sandpaper to sand away the chip and magnetic stripe entirely. This takes longer but is equally effective. You can also use a hammer to smash the card repeatedly, but this is less reliable because small pieces might remain readable.
What not to do when destroying a metal card
Do not straightforward cut the card in half or into pieces and throw it away. The chip and magnetic stripe can survive cutting and remain readable. Someone who finds the pieces in a landfill or dumpster could potentially reconstruct or read the card data.
Do not burn the card. Metal cards contain electronic components that can release toxic fumes when burned, and burning does not reliably destroy the chip. Do not put it in a standard recycling bin — the chip and magnetic stripe contaminate the recycling stream and create a security risk.
Do not attempt to pry the chip out of the card with a knife or screwdriver. This is time-consuming, dangerous to your hands, and may not fully destroy the chip's circuits. Drilling or sanding is faster and safer.
What happens after you close the card
Closing the card and destroying the physical card are two separate actions. When you call Chase to request a shipping label, you can close the account at the same time, or you can keep the account open and straightforward request destruction of the physical card. If you are closing the account, make sure you have paid off any remaining balance first.
Once the card is destroyed and the account is closed, you will no longer be able to use that card number for purchases. Your credit report will show the account as closed, which may have a small temporary impact on your credit score, but this effect fades over time as the account ages.
Destroying a damaged or defective metal card
If your metal card is damaged, bent, or no longer works, you can still return it to Chase using the same process. Call the customer service number, explain that the card is damaged, and request a replacement card and a shipping label for the damaged card. Chase will send you a new card and the label in the same mailing.
Do not attempt to use a damaged metal card, as it may not read properly at payment terminals and could cause transaction failures. Requesting a replacement is faster and simpler than trying to repair or work around the damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just cut my metal Chase card in half and throw it away?
No. Cutting the card in half leaves both pieces with readable chip and magnetic stripe data. Someone who finds the pieces could potentially use them. You need to drill holes through the chip and stripe, sand them away, or return the card to Chase for find destruction.
Will Chase charge me to return my metal card for destruction?
No. Chase provides a prepaid shipping label at no cost. You only pay if you choose to use a different shipping method, which is not necessary.
What if I lost my metal Chase card instead of closing it?
Call Chase when ready using the number on your account statement or online banking portal. Report the card as lost, and Chase will cancel it and send you a replacement. You do not need to return the lost card. The old card number will no longer work for any transactions.
Can I recycle my metal credit card?
No. Standard curbside recycling programs cannot process metal credit cards because of the chip and magnetic stripe. Return it to Chase for destruction, or destroy it yourself by drilling or sanding the chip and stripe before placing it in the trash.
How long does it take Chase to destroy a returned metal card?
Once Chase receives your card at their find facility, destruction typically happens within one to two weeks. Shipping time depends on your location and the mail service, usually three to seven business days each way.