South Africa’s MTN Group is rolling out biodegradable SIM cards across Africa, beginning in Rwanda, under plans to curb plastic waste in the telecoms sector.
The leading mobile operator says in a statement marking World Environment Day 2025 that the move signals a shift in how telecoms operators contribute to a greener planet, as the company unveils its bioSIM initiative—100% biodegradable SIM cards made from FSC-certified paper that perform like traditional plastic versions but decompose without leaving harmful residue or microplastics.
The new SIMs, introduced in 2024, reflect what MTN calls “a practical innovation grounded in science, not sentiment,” as the operator responds to rising concerns over the hidden plastic footprint of the global telecoms industry.
“They are not the most visible source of waste, but they are a meaningful one—and entirely avoidable,” the statement notes.
MTN warns that the telecoms industry’s contribution to plastic pollution is largely underestimated. In 2020 alone, it says, an estimated 4.5 billion plastic SIM cards were produced worldwide. Most of these are neither reused nor recycled, ending up in landfills, incinerators, or as environmental litter.
Hidden cost of connectivity: Plastic SIMs in focus
MTN warns that the telecoms industry’s contribution to plastic pollution is largely underestimated. In 2020 alone, it says, an estimated 4.5 billion plastic SIM cards were produced worldwide. Most of these are neither reused nor recycled, ending up in landfills, incinerators, or as environmental litter.
By replacing these with bioSIMs, MTN says it is reducing reliance on single-use plastics while promoting sustainable design across its operations. The telco is also ramping up the adoption of eSIMs—digital SIM profiles that eliminate the need for physical cards altogether.
“Combined,” MTN says, “these efforts enable our customers to reduce their impact through the choices they make every day. That is where real momentum lies—not just in corporate strategy, but in shifting consumer norms.”
Africa’s waste crisis: Telecoms role in solutions
The telecoms operator draws attention to the escalating waste problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Though the region contributes just 3–4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it faces disproportionate climate and pollution-related threats, worsened by rapid urbanisation and fragile waste infrastructure.
MTN cites United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) data warning that plastic waste in sub-Saharan Africa could reach 116 million tonnes annually by 2060—a sixfold increase from 2019.
“Every tonne of plastic avoided reduces long-term risk for people, infrastructure, and the planet,” MTN says. “A small change in design, if adopted broadly, can remove tonnes of plastic from the supply chain each year.”
World Environment Day 2025: Call for urgent action
World Environment Day 2025 focuses on the global fight against plastic pollution—an issue the UNEP says remains “an urgent challenge,” with over 400 million tonnes of plastic produced globally each year, more than half of it designed for single use.
Echoing UNEP’s urgent call for collective action, MTN says the moment for telecoms to innovate responsibly is now.
“Plastic pollution is a problem that can be solved,” MTN says. “But doing so will require collective action, practical innovation, and a willingness to change how we operate. MTN is committed to being part of that change—starting with how we connect the communities we serve.”
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