The Environmental Benefits of switching to eSIM

The Environmental Benefits of eSIM

31st March 2023 10T Tech Team

By 10T Tech Team

31st March 2023 In eSIM

Author: Michael Poffenberger

In a recent blog post, we discussed the numerous benefits of adopting eSIMs.

The environmental benefits of switching to eSIM are becoming increasingly important as sustainability takes center stage in our collective responsibility towards achieving net zero carbon emissions.

Traditional physical SIM cards, made of plastic, are everything we should avoid in our quest for sustainability. Adopting eSIM aligns your operations with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG), complies with regulatory requirements, and boosts investor confidence.

As the industry moves towards eco-friendly solutions for everyday business challenges, let’s take a look at what makes eSIM the more sustainable solution today:

No Metal and Plastic Waste

eSIMs are embedded into devices, eliminating the need to produce, package, or distribute physical SIM cards

Lower Energy Consumption

The prodcution and distribution of phyiscal SIM cards requires energy, as does the process of activating and deactivating them. eSIMs eliminate this energy consumption.

Increased Device Lifespan

eSIMs are embedded into devices and cannot be lost or damaged, allowing devices to be used for longer and reducing the need for replacements and the environmental impact of device production.

Better Recycling

With eSIMs, removing the SIM card during recycling is not necessary, making the process more efficient reducing waste.

Reduced Downstream Carbon Footprint

eSIMs reduce the need for transportation and distribution of physical SIM cards, lowering the carbon footprint of the wireless industry.

To put these environmental benefits in perspective, in 2020, an estimated 4.5 billion physical SIM cards were produced worldwide¹ , accounting for an average of 229 grams of CO2 each². This resulted in over 1 Million Metric Tons of CO2 emission. In contrast, per-eSIM emissions are 46% less than plastic SIM, with a carbon footprint of 123 grams of CO2 each, mostly incurred during the device manufacturing process.