ekko is an app, prepaid debit card and ecosystem that says it aims to help users make a positive impact on the planet. Here’s how it works.
What is ekko?
ekko is an app and prepaid debit card designed to turn the tide on climate change “one tap at a time”. Users can spend on the card as usual to pay for shopping or bills. As they do so, ekko will plant trees and prevent plastic from entering the oceans.
How does ekko work?
If you sign up to ekko, you’ll have access to the app and you’ll be sent a Mastercard debit card to use in the same way as any other debit card.
The difference is that every 5 transactions on your card will pay for 1 ocean-bound plastic bottle to be collected. And every 50 transactions will pay for 1 tree to be planted. You can also choose to shop on ekko’s marketplace of sustainable products and services.
By using the app you’ll be able to view your account balance as well as track your own tree and bottle counts. You can also see your carbon footprint from everything you’ve bought using the card.
Trees are planted in partnership with the Mastercard priceless planet coalition. ekko is also partnered with Prevented Ocean Plastic to remove plastic bottles.
How to sign up
To access ekko, you’ll need to join the waiting list on the website and download the app on App Store or Google Play. You’ll then be emailed an exclusive code to join ekko. A limited number of customers will have access to the app for free, but there may be a small membership fee in the future.
Is ekko safe?
ekko does not have a UK banking licence so your funds will not be protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. However, your money is safeguarded under the EU Electronic Money Directive and UK Electronic Money Regulations 2011. This means your money will be held in a segregated account in accordance with Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulations and the Electronic Money Regulations 2011. Should ekko become insolvent, your funds will be protected against claims made by creditors.
Pros and cons of ekko
Pros
Helps tackle climate change every time you spend on the card.
Tracks your carbon footprint with the app.
No monthly fees.
Cons
There are currently no rewards or bonuses other than the opportunity to plant trees and collect plastic bottles.
A fee may be introduced in the future.
Customer service information for ekko
Email support
Telephone support
In-app or live chat
Contact form
Branch support
Our verdict
If you’re keen to help tackle climate change in small, easy steps, ekko is a way to do so. It provides a free opportunity to help protect the environment without the need to dramatically change your spending habits.
Frequently asked questions
The ekko card is produced using a post-industrial recycled PVC core with a degradable overlay.
You can use the account to set up direct debits and standing orders, as well as make faster payments. You can also use the account for sending and receiving funds from another account.
ATM cash withdrawals come with a fee of £1.50 in the UK and £3 abroad. If you use your card to make purchases overseas, there will also be a foreign transaction fee of 2%. Replacement cards cost £3.50.
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Rachel Wait is a freelance journalist and has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade, covering everything from insurance to mortgages. She has written for a range of personal finance websites and national newspapers, including The Observer, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and the Evening Standard. Rachel is a keen baker in her spare time.
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