A traditional SIM card doesn’t look like much. It’s tiny, and we don’t really think about it in our daily lives. However, considering how much effort it takes to manufacture a SIM card and how many cards are used worldwide, it’s worth considering their environmental impact.
Let’s look at some numbers. According to a study by the Trusted Connectivity Alliance, SIM card shipments reached 4.35 billion in 2021, generating approximately 20,000 tons of plastic waste. Such numbers stimulate the imagination—small, inconspicuous SIM cards suddenly become huge humps of trash and clouds of carbon dioxide.
Thankfully, eSIMs are raising hope within the telecommunication industry. Let’s see what they are and how they can help reduce our plastic waste and carbon footprint.
What Is an eSIM Card?
An eSIM card (embedded SIM) is a fairly new technology that seeks to make traditional SIM cards obsolete. Not only is it more eco-friendly, but it is also more convenient. eSIM cards are fully virtual, meaning they don’t physically exist. Instead, they use programming to encode all the information that a traditional SIM card uses.
For the consumer, there is virtually no difference between using a traditional SIM card and an eSIM. Both serve the same purpose. However, the process of obtaining and activating them differs. In this regard, eSIMs are objectively better. Traditional SIM cards must be purchased from a store and then inserted into the device, which is a nuisance if you frequently swap SIMs. eSIMs, on the other hand, are fully virtual.
They can be purchased and activated through an app and can be easily changed with a few taps when needed.
How Are eSIMs Helping the Planet?
eSIM cards are more convenient for consumers, but what about protecting the environment? After all, our modern ways of life are often terrible for the planet, as many modern conveniences come at a cost. However, this is not the case with eSIM cards. They are not only more convenient but also environmentally friendly.
- Less plastic waste. When we think of plastic waste, tiny SIM cards are the last thing we think of. However, there are billions of them worldwide, and each must be manufactured and packaged. eSIMs eliminate that—no manufacturing and packaging means less plastic is used.
- Reduced carbon footprint. Every SIM card you see at your local kiosk has been shipped there, and there are millions of stores, each selling starter packs for various mobile operators. That’s a lot of cars, planes, and ships used for transportation. eSIM cards can be purchased and activated through a mobile app, which means virtually no logistics are required for their distribution.
- Less need for disposable SIM cards. Although most of us use several SIM cards regularly, sometimes we need a new one just to throw it away later. This is the case, for example, when traveling. When abroad, we buy local SIM cards to use the local cellular network, but we throw the cards away when the trip is over. eSIMs are an ideal solution—they keep travelers connected but don’t add to the already pressing waste problem.
The Future of SIM Cards
The evolution of SIM cards shows a clear trend. Many of us still remember the old, large SIM cards that were used with the first bulky cell phones.
As devices became thinner, SIM cards also had to become smaller. Not surprisingly, the evolution of SIM cards might go all the way—from large to small to nonexistent.
From a convenience perspective, this is good news—no more annoying little SIM trays. But environmentally, it’s even better. A SIM-free world would mean far less wasted plastic and carbon-heavy logistical effort. Such a world could become a reality in mere years—as soon as eSIM-compatible devices become more of a standard than a novelty.