Traditional SIM cards, made from virgin plastic, pose a significant environmental challenge. Their lifecycle, from extraction to disposal, is fraught with ecological harm. However, a greener future is emerging. Telecom players are increasingly adopting recycled polyvinyl chloride (PVC) SIM cards, offering benefits like durability, cost-effectiveness, and a reduced environmental footprint.
IDEMIA's recent partnership with Airtel represents a major step forward in promoting eco-friendly alternatives. By transitioning to recycled PVC SIM cards, Airtel is limiting the use of over 165 tonnes of virgin plastic and reducing more than 690 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. This collaboration not only combats plastic pollution but also paves the way for a more sustainable telecom industry.
In this informative interview with TheCSRUniverse, Mr. Rahul Tandon, Senior VP, Connectivity Services, IDEMIA Secure Transactions in India, discusses IDEMIA's innovative use of recycled PVC SIM cards and its vision for the future. He also explores bio-based alternatives and optimized card design to minimize environmental impact. Learn more about IDEMIA's approach to building a more sustainable future for SIM cards.
Read the full interview below.
Q&A
Q. IDEMIA's switch to recycled PVC SIMs with Airtel has been successful. How will they scale this solution to encompass other telecom operators in India and globally, while ensuring standards and quality are maintained?
A. IDEMIA is committed to closely collaborating with telecom operators to understand their specific requirements and ensure standards and quality are upheld throughout the process. This involves conducting pilot programs, offering technical support, and providing customized solutions tailored to each operator's needs. Leveraging our partnerships and expertise in sustainable solutions, we aim to expand the adoption of recycled PVC SIM cards by collaborating with regulatory bodies and industry organizations to develop and maintain standards for sustainable production.
Q. While recycled PVC offers benefits, there's still an environmental impact. Can IDEMIA provide a lifecycle analysis comparing it to potential bio-based alternatives, and what measures are being taken to minimize environmental harm?
A. IDEMIA acknowledges the environmental impact associated with recycled PVC and is actively exploring alternatives, including bio-based materials, through comprehensive lifecycle analyses. By conducting thorough assessments, IDEMIA aims to understand the environmental impact of various materials throughout their lifecycle, from sourcing to disposal. This analysis helps us to make informed decisions regarding the adoption of bio-based alternatives that potentially offer lower environmental impact. We have been implementing measures to minimize environmental harm across all aspects of our operations, including optimizing manufacturing processes to reduce energy consumption and waste generation, sourcing materials from sustainable suppliers, investing in research and development of eco-friendly alternatives, and promoting recycling and reuse initiatives.
Q. Recycled PVC is a step forward, but are there further innovations IDEMIA is exploring to minimize the environmental impact of SIM cards entirely (e.g., smaller size, extended lifespan)?
A. One avenue of exploration involves optimizing the design and materials used in SIM cards to reduce their physical footprint, thereby decreasing material usage and waste. The size of the cards, the materials used, the inks, and the transport are the focus of our research.
Q. Standardization can be key for wider adoption. Is IDEMIA collaborating with other industry players to establish standards for recycled PVC SIM cards?
A. By working with mobile operators, SIM card manufacturers, environmental organizations, and regulatory bodies, IDEMIA strives to create guidelines and certifications guaranteeing the sustainability, performance, and quality of recycled PVC SIM cards. These efforts aim to set industry-wide benchmarks, fostering confidence among stakeholders and facilitating widespread adoption of recycled materials in SIM card production, showcasing IDEMIA's commitment to advancing sustainability in telecommunications.
Q. Can you share the long-term metrics you use to track the environmental impact reduction achieved through recycled PVC SIM card adoption?
A. IDEMIA tracks carbon emission reductions in manufacturing, decrease in energy consumption during production, and resource conservation through recycled materials. We also track the amount of waste diverted from landfills and monitor any improvements in air and water quality resulting from reduced pollution. It helps us assess the overall sustainability of our supply chain, and we also consider factors such as transportation emissions and supplier sustainability practices.
Q. How does IDEMIA ensure the quality and durability of recycled PVC SIM cards, especially in terms of performance and longevity?
A. IDEMIA ensures the quality and durability of recycled PVC SIM cards through meticulous testing and quality control. Before production, we assess the suitability of recycled materials, evaluating their properties and conducting performance tests for compatibility with telecom networks and devices. Stringent quality control is maintained throughout manufacturing, with ongoing research and development aiming to enhance durability and reliability to meet industry standards.
Q. What strategies does IDEMIA employ to incentivize telecom companies like Airtel to make the switch from virgin plastic to recycled PVC SIM cards?
A. IDEMIA emphasizes the environmental benefits of using recycled materials, highlighting reduced carbon footprint and resource conservation. We offer competitive pricing for recycled PVC SIM cards, making them economically attractive for telecom companies. IDEMIA provides technical support and assistance throughout the transition process, ensuring a smooth and seamless switch to recycled materials. By aligning environmental advantages and providing comprehensive support, IDEMIA encourages telecom companies to prioritize sustainability in their operations.
Q. Can you discuss any challenges or obstacles IDEMIA has faced in implementing the transition from virgin plastic to recycled PVC SIM cards, and how these challenges were addressed?
A. Sourcing recycled materials presents a unique challenge, as it requires specialized industrial processes to recycle raw materials. Moreover, the transition from virgin plastic to recycled PVC for SIM cards requires a concerted effort and strategic collaboration to ensure successful implementation.
Q. Considering the global push towards sustainability and net-zero emissions, what further innovations or initiatives is IDEMIA exploring to reduce its environmental footprint beyond SIM card production?
A. IDEMIA offers a range of environmentally conscious solutions from reduced size cards to alternative card body materials, streamlined transportation, and eco-friendly packaging solutions. In addition, we also support customers in offsetting carbon emissions linked to the production and transportation of our products.
Beyond SIM, IDEMIA has signed up to Science Based Targets initiative and will soon be sharing its CO2 reduction objectives and net zero strategy for the coming years. In addition, IDEMIA's suppliers are regularly asked about their social responsibility strategy, which includes CO2 emission reduction targets, allowing IDEMIA to better monitor its net zero strategy.
