Vodafone reduces size of SIM holder to reduce plastic use

Telecommunications company Vodafone has reduced the size of its standard credit card-sized SIM holder by 50% to reduce plastic waste.

By the end of December, Vodafone will start offering a range of eco-friendly accessories under the label Red Loves Green. The Red Loves Green product range will be available at retail stores next year.

The range will include 100% biodegradable or recyclable phone cases made from reused ocean plastic, charging banks and docks developed using sustainable materials and plastic-free packaging.

As part of the initiative, the company will also offer the sustainable Fairphone 3 smartphone across Germany, Italy, the UK, Spain and Ireland markets.

Launching the new range is a part of Vodafone’s strategy to reduce the use of all non-essential plastics. It is expected to cut Vodafone’s plastic waste by over 340t a year while also eliminating up to 5,000t of the CO₂ annually.

Vodafone External Affairs director Joakim Reiter said: “Halving our environmental impact means not only tackling material issues such as our carbon footprint and e-waste but also taking action in other areas where we have an impact such as the non-essential or disposable plastics we use in our retail stores and offices.

“Building on many of the initiatives launched across Vodafone’s markets, we want a consistent approach everywhere we operate. This begins with the rollout of half-sized SIMs, tackling unnecessary plastics in our offices and offering our customers eco-friendly accessories.”

Vodafone will gradually replace the full-sized cardholders across all Vodafone’s 24 markets.