MTN South Africa has taken a step towards environmental sustainability by introducing biodegradable SIM cards. This initiative will help to address the growing issue of plastic waste in the telecommunications sector, where an estimated 180 million SIM cards—roughly three times the population—are purchased annually. The announcement of this transition was made on Tuesday.
The new environmentally friendly SIM cards, which will be available this month through MTN stores and partners, are made entirely of materials certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
Read also: MTN unveils Alola 4G smartphone in Zambia
SIM cards to decompose in 3 months when disposed
They are made to break down in three to six months when disposed of in soil, the ocean, or a landfill while still offering the same security, network connectivity, and speeds as conventional plastic cards.
The SIM cards contribute to a decrease in production and disposal-related carbon emissions. Additionally, they cut plastic waste by as much as 90 percent.
Read also: MTN marks 25th anniversary with launch of Benin’s first commercial 5G network
The SIM cards are produced in collaboration with Secure ID Limited, sub-Saharan Africa’s first authorised smartcard manufacturing facility.
The SIM cards function and are durable like conventional SIM cards. Identifying important elements, guaranteeing minimal environmental impact, and recording best practices in an online environmental management system (EMS) are all part of MTN’s environmental policy.
South Africa is the third country in 2024 to adopt the eco-friendly biogradable SIM after MTN debuted it in Rwanda and Nigeria.