Ditch the plastic: Why offering eSIMs is a win for the planet and your business

Sustainability is at the core of much of our work at Airalo Partners.

But this approach isn't a novelty. Many businesses around the globe have shifted their approach to lower their impact on the environment. Our partnerships are built to help echo and enhance that positive impact.

And, it's a strategic move appreciated by consumers. Over 75% of global travelers want travel to be more sustainable, and 86% of 25 to 34 year olds favor eco-friendly options during their travel. 

These aren't just passing preferences, they represent a powerful and growing market demand.

The modern traveler's stance on travel 

Today's customers aren't just aware of environmental issues; they're actively making purchasing decisions based on sustainability. In fact, they're willing to spend 9.7% more on products that are sustainably produced and sourced. 

This highlights a crucial opportunity for businesses: aligning with these values isn't just ethical — it's good for the bottom line.

Airalo Partners empowers businesses to thrive with eSIM solutions that prioritize sustainability. By offering these innovative, eco-friendly connectivity options, you can elevate your brand while reducing your carbon footprint — a win for both your business and the planet.

The environmental toll of traditional plastic SIM cards

Traditional plastic SIM cards carry a significant environmental burden. Consider the lifecycle of these small pieces of single-use plastic:

• Material waste: They are manufactured from plastic, a material with its own environmental concerns regarding production and disposal.
• Single-use nature: Typically, travelers use a local SIM card while abroad and discard it upon returning home, contributing to a massive amount of single-use plastic waste annually.
• Packaging waste: The packaging required for physical SIM cards is often discarded immediately after purchase. That's millions of packages discarded a year.
• Transportation emissions: The manufacturing and distribution process involves significant transportation and shipping, adding to carbon emissions.
• Landfill contribution: As non-reusable items, discarded SIM cards end up in landfills, where they can take hundreds of years to decompose.

eSIMs: A sustainable solution

Enter eSIM technology: a 100% digital alternative to physical SIM cards. An independent study has projected that the widespread adoption of eSIMs could lead to a significant 46% decrease in emissions compared to their physical counterparts.

This substantial reduction in environmental impact can be directly attributed to the elimination of the entire physical lifecycle associated with traditional SIM cards — from raw material extraction and manufacturing to packaging, shipping, and eventual disposal.

Moreover, while physical SIMs are destined for landfills, the digital nature of eSIMs inherently supports a more sustainable approach.

• Reduces plastic waste: The most obvious benefit is that no physical SIM cards means no plastic production or disposal.
• Cuts down CO₂ emissions: By going fully digital, eSIMs eliminate the need for the energy-intensive manufacturing, packaging, and transportation associated with physical SIMs.
• Fewer logistics emissions: Eliminating the need for transport via planes, trucks, and mail services significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with connectivity.
• Encourages a circular economy: eSIMs align perfectly with digital-first, paperless, and waste-free initiatives, promoting a more circular approach to technology consumption.
• Future-proof: As mobile technology continues to evolve, eSIMs reduce the reliance on physical materials for connectivity, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Align your company with sustainable connectivity 

When your company chooses to partner with Airalo and offer eSIM solutions to your customers, you directly contribute to a significant reduction in plastic waste and the overall environmental footprint of the travel industry. 

And, you actively demonstrate your commitment to environmental responsibility, aligning your business practices with your values.

• Enhance your climate impact reporting: Airalo Partners provides climate impact data. Through our Partner Platform analytics dashboard, you can track the amount of carbon impact your partnership has helped lower.
• Quantify your sustainability efforts: Showcase the tangible results of your commitment by sharing the number of tons of plastic your company has helped save by offering eSIMs. You can get your impact on carbon reduction on the Airalo Partner Platform Analytics dashboard.
• Align with evolving customer values: By offering sustainable options like eSIMs, you directly cater to the growing segment of environmentally conscious consumers, strengthening your connection with their values.
• Elevate your brand image and reputation: Positioning your company as a forward-thinking, environmentally responsible partner enhances your brand image and builds a stronger reputation among customers and stakeholders.

Here's how your partnership makes a collective impact on the world

To give you a glimpse into the collective impact, Airalo has already reached over 20 million users. According to data from a Thales study, SIM card production and waste equate to around 20,000 tons of plastic. 

We estimate that these 20 million eSIM activations have already eliminated approximately 80 metric tons of plastic waste.

But the impact doesn't stop there. Those same 20 million eSIMs have also saved an estimated 200,000 to 480,000 metric tons of CO₂, which is roughly equivalent to taking 5,000 to 12,000 flights from New York to London out of the skies.

If you're seeking a genuine solution to enhance your sustainability efforts and resonate with a growing eco-conscious customer base, partnering with Airalo on eSIM technology might be your answer.

Why this choice matters: Meeting customer demand for greener choices

Offering sustainable options like eSIMs demonstrates that your company understands and caters to the evolving expectations of modern customers, fostering greater trust and loyalty.

By offering eSIMs, you differentiate your offerings from competitors who may still rely solely on traditional, less sustainable SIM card options, giving you a significant market advantage.

FAQs

Does Airalo Partners share how much our company has saved on carbon emissions?

Yes. On the Partner Platform's analytics dashboard, you can see the carbon footprint reduction you've achieved by selling or using eSIMs. The number is calculated based on an independent study.

How can we integrate eSIMs into our business?

Airalo Partners offers several partnership solutions to best suit your business setup and needs. We have Partner Integrations (API, SDK, eCommerce), co-branding solutions, and the option to resell from the Airalo Partner Platform.

Alternatively, if you have a traveling workforce, consider Airalo for Business to keep your employees connected at a fraction of the cost and support your business' sustainability goals.

What eSIM packages does Airalo Partners offer?

Airalo offers a wide range of packages for over 200 destinations worldwide. With more than 900 options available, you can provide flexible solutions for your customers or employees. Choose from local, regional, or global plans, as well as data-only or data, voice, and text options.