Virgin Mobile MEA is among the most iconic brands in the world, with an exponentially growing subscriber base and strong market presence in the Middle East under the brand names Virgin Mobile and FRiENDi Mobile.
Recently, Virgin Mobile sought collaboration with Workz Group, its SIM manufacturing company, to come up with a more sustainable method of operations for its entities.

The Big Problem:

Carbon emissions across the Middle Eastern region come up to 9 metric tons per capita, according to the data shared by the World Bank. In this, plastic is a significant contributor, lending about 360 million tonnes in 2019, making up an estimated 60% of every plastic product produced either ending up in a landfill or ending up in the natural environment.

Responding to growing environmental problems and aligning with the overall strategy of Virgin mobile group of companies to deal with these problems, Virgin Mobile MEA increased the measures they took to eliminate single-use plastic through its lifecycle, optimise its supply chain and introduce various sustainable practices spread across operations.


The Solution:

To achieve this goal, Virgin Mobile MEA came to Workz Group, one of the world’s largest SIM card producers that partnered with Virgin Mobile MEA for over twelve years to complete several projects successfully. Workz Group follows the best ecological practices and is ISO-certified for managing the environment. This has enabled them to increasingly implement sustainable solutions and operations for all their clients across 70 countries. This includes sustainable alternative products, processing operational waste through recycling programmes, using equipment with lower emissions and sources that are energy-efficient. It also entails offering supply chain analysis for customers to guide them on reducing their carbon footprint.

From the perspective of the end customer, Workz has modified its product designs so that the SIM card size is reduced, recycled paper is replacing plastic packaging, collaterals are reduced and unsustainable elements like labels have been eliminated. From a logistics point of view, their supply chain guidance ensures reusable pallets are used that require less wood as compared to the previous packing specifications. Workz is also implementing additional initiatives sustainably across operations and production so that its carbon footprint is as minimised as possible.

Workz is currently involved in a vendor auditing process carried out by Virgin Mobile MEA ensuring the stringent criteria for a sustainable partner are being met.


The Outcome:

By the start of 2022, the actions that have been taken by Virgin and Workz will achieve the following goals:
-Single-use plastics will be eliminated 100% across all entities of Virgin Mobile MEA.
-Plastic usage will be reduced by 75% owing to the SIM card size reducing to a quarter card size from a full credit card size.
-Estimated energy saved will amount to 35% with the use of recycling paper for packaging.
Overall cost reduction will come up to 84%.


Benefits of Workz Sustainable SIM Solution:

Workz has managed to achieve the following goals:
-Reduced-size SIM form factors
-SIM card bodies using recycled PVC
-Packaging and collateral using recycled paper
-Transportation using reusable wood pallets
-Reduced carbon emissions through supply chain optimisation

To know more about their sustainability practices, contact Workz Group today.

Learn more: https://www.workz.com/eSIM-and-SIM/cards/