Lonwabo Mtyeku | Photo Credit: Supplied
Johannesburg – 26 January 2026
In a move that blends innovation with environmental responsibility, FNB Connect has unveiled a new range of eco-friendly SIM cards designed to significantly reduce plastic waste and promote more sustainable connectivity across South Africa.
The initiative forms part of FNB Connect’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible innovation, as the mobile operator introduces biodegradable SIM card carriers and fully recyclable packaging to replace traditional plastic-based designs.
With millions of SIM cards discarded annually, often unused, the environmental toll of conventional SIM production has become increasingly difficult to ignore. FNB Connect’s latest move directly addresses this growing concern.
A Cleaner Approach to Connectivity
The newly launched SIM cards feature a reduced-plastic design, replacing the traditional plastic carrier with a paper-based cardboard alternative. Packaging has also been redesigned using high-grade recyclable paperboard, eliminating plastic laminates that typically end up in landfills.
According to FNB Connect CEO Sashin Sookroo, the change is both intentional and necessary.
“SIM card waste is a largely overlooked environmental issue, especially in South Africa where preloaded SIMs are often distributed in large volumes and discarded unused,” said Sookroo. “This contributes to unnecessary plastic and metal waste. Our goal is to change that by encouraging more responsible usage while reducing the environmental footprint of our products.”
Building on Digital Innovation
The eco-friendly SIM initiative follows FNB Connect’s launch of South Africa’s first bank-led eSIM in December 2024 — a fully digital alternative that eliminates the need for physical SIM cards altogether.
“While eSIM adoption is growing, we recognise that many customers still rely on physical SIMs,” Sookroo explained. “Our responsibility is to ensure that even those physical products are designed with sustainability in mind.”
Together, the eSIM and eco-friendly SIM card rollout reflect FNB Connect’s broader strategy to rethink how connectivity is delivered — from how SIMs are produced to how they are used and disposed of.
Tackling a Growing Environmental Challenge
Each traditional SIM card weighs approximately 1.8 grams, but when multiplied by millions of units, the environmental impact becomes significant. In South Africa alone, plastic waste amounts to an estimated 2.4 million tonnes annually, with only about 14% being recycled.
FNB Sustainability Head Kival Singh says this reality demands action from corporates with scale and influence.
“As a responsible organisation, we recognise our role in helping reduce waste across our value chain,” Singh said. “This initiative sends a clear message that sustainability can be built into everyday products. Even small changes, when implemented at scale, can make a meaningful difference.”
The new SIM design uses around 50% less packaging, reduces transportation emissions due to lighter materials, and supports FNB’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions in South Africa by 2030.
Small Changes, Big Impact
Beyond reducing plastic waste, the redesigned SIMs also lower storage and logistics requirements — another step toward minimising environmental impact across the supply chain.
FNB Connect expects the initiative to contribute to measurable reductions in waste and emissions over time, while also encouraging customers to make more environmentally conscious choices.
“We believe sustainability should be built into everyday decisions,” Sookroo added. “Whether customers choose an eSIM or our new eco-friendly SIM, they are helping us move towards a cleaner, smarter future.”
Driving Responsible Innovation
The launch underscores FNB Connect’s broader vision of using technology to simplify life while protecting the planet. It aligns with the group’s wider sustainability strategy, which focuses on responsible consumption, reduced emissions, and long-term environmental stewardship.
“Our customers want value, convenience, and purpose,” said Sookroo. “By rethinking something as simple as a SIM card, we’re proving that innovation doesn’t have to come at the cost of the environment.”
As sustainability becomes an increasingly critical factor in consumer decision-making, FNB Connect’s latest initiative positions the brand as a leader in responsible digital innovation — one SIM card at a time.
