Vodafone reduces its plastic waste with the roll out of new initiatives

Vodafone reduces its plastic waste with the roll out new initiatives

(PRESS RELEASE) BERKSHIRE, UK, 6-Dec-2019 — /EuropaWire/ — Vodafone replaces the standard credit card-sized SIM holder with a new half-sized format as part of its commitment to reduce its use of all non-essential plastics. This move reduces the amount of plastic used to produce SIMs by 50%.

Starting in 2020, Vodafone will provide the new half-sized SIM cards to several European markets and will steadily replace the use of full-sized card holders across all Vodafone’s 24 markets.

The initiative alone will reduce Vodafone’s plastic waste by more than 340 tonnes per annum. It will also save up to 15 tonnes of the CO2e emitted during production and transportation for every tonne of plastic reduced – a reduction of more than 5,000 tonnes of C02e annually.

Furthermore, Vodafone stores will offer ‘Red Loves Green’ range of eco-friendly accessories from Christmas 2019 with plans to expand at retail in 2020. These products are 100% biodegradable or recyclable made from sustainable materials and plastic-free packaging.

Vodafone stores will also carry the more ethical, reliable and sustainable Fairphone 3 smartphone in Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, and Ireland in the run up to Christmas. Fairphone 3 is sold with sustainable and reusable packaging and manufactured from responsibly sourced, conflict-free tin and tungsten, recycled copper and plastics, and gold sourced by Fairtrade.

“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 roll out of half-sized SIMs, tackling unnecessary plastics in our offices and offering our customers eco-friendly accessories,” commented Vodafone Director of External Affairs, Joakim Reiter.

These initiatives support Vodafone’s purpose to improve the lives of 1 billion people while cutting in half its environmental impact by 2025. This commitment by Vodafone includes reducing its carbon footprint by half and using 100% renewable energy by 2025. Vodafone also pledged to reuse, resell or recycle 100% of its network waste and help customers extend the lives of the devices they already own.

Eliminating plastics at retail and in offices

Vodafone also committed to completely removing all unnecessary plastics and other disposable single-use items across all its retail stores and offices in 24 countries by the end of March 2020.

Vodafone will replace disposable plastic bags and plastic marketing or promotional materials with a more environment friendly alternatives in its 7,700 retail stores worldwide.

Vodafone will also replace where feasible commonly used plastic office consumables – including pens and folders – with reusable, recyclable office stationary in its offices. Vodafone promotes the use of reusable bottles, cups or glassware while eliminating disposable, single-use plastic bottles, cutlery, plates and straws used in catering.

Vodafone is also encouraging suppliers to reduce, remove or recycle excessive packaging in order to minimise plastic packaging in warehouses.

A selection of images showing the new half-sized SIM card can be found on our image library at: https://www.flickr.com/gp/vodafonegroup/g81n6d

For more information, please contact:

Vodafone Group

Media relations
GroupMedia@vodafone.com

Investor Relations
IR@vodafone.co.uk

SOURCE: Vodafone Group