MTN South Africa has introduced biodegradable SIM cards, aiming to address the growing issue of plastic waste pollution. The telecommunications industry sees approximately 180 million SIM cards sold annually in South Africa, with many discarded after short-term use, often ending up in landfills or littering the environment.
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MTN’s new SIM cards are made from raw materials certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), ensuring they are sourced from responsibly managed forests that offer environmental, social, and economic benefits. Unlike traditional plastic SIM cards that do not break down, the biodegradable versions decompose within three to six months when exposed to landfill conditions, soil, or seawater, MTN stated.
These eco-friendly cards maintain the same network connectivity, speed, and security as their plastic counterparts. MTN’s chief commercial operations officer, Wanda Matandela, announced that distribution to stores and partners nationwide would begin this month.
South Africa’s mobile operators collectively produce SIM cards three times the country’s population annually, driven by high churn rates in the prepaid market. Consumers frequently switch networks to take advantage of better deals, leading to significant waste as unused SIMs are discarded.
Efforts to reduce plastic waste have included shrinking SIM card sizes and introducing multi-size designs to fit standard, micro, and nano slots. However, the remaining plastic frames are often discarded. Cell C has encouraged customers to retain SIM card casings for reference purposes, while also offering raw, unwrapped SIMs to minimize packaging waste.
Digital solutions like embedded SIMs (eSIMs) could potentially eliminate the need for physical cards. Telkom reports around 90,000 of its 20.4 million subscribers use eSIMs, but adoption across networks remains low due to the feature being limited to newer, high-end devices.
Operators like Vodacom and MTN are promoting awareness of e-waste and providing recycling options, including convenient collection services. Vodacom’s RedLovesGreen initiative encourages sustainable practices, offering recycling points nationwide to foster eco-conscious habits among customers.
